Posted by Jesse Clark in Contests on August 4, 2011
Can’t afford a trip to space but always wanted to go? Well, this may be just the ticket for you!
Space Needle is partnering with Space Adventures to sponsor a sweepstakes where you will have the opportunity to be one of the first people to soar into suborbital space to see the curvature of the earth and the blackness of Space.
Why is the Space Needle sending someone to space?
Seattle’s iconic Space Needle will be sending someone from the general public into space through our Space Race 2012 program. This mission is in celebration of the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary – built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, its creation marked the beginning of the original space race that put man on the moon. That chapter has drawn to a close – the era of government-run space travel ended with the final shuttle mission. Now an exciting new chapter is being written, one driven by entrepreneurism that is creating democratized space travel that will ultimately be available to all mankind.
The Space Race 2012 program will run over the next 18 months with a sweepstakes for great prizes, followed by a competition that will determine the winner of the trip to space.
August 1, 2011
Sweepstakes begins
November 30, 2011
Enter by this date for a chance to be one of the 1,000 people that compete for a trip to space.
December 29, 2011
Sweepstakes ends
December 1, 2011
The Space Race 2012 Competition begins!
Click here to learn more about the competition to win the trip to space.
Posted by Jesse Clark in News on July 22, 2011
SDSpace submitted this op-ed about the end of the space shuttle program for publication in an upcoming edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper.
On July 21st in the early morning, Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down at Kennedy Space Center, capping NASA’s 135th and final shuttle mission after 30 years of flight. It also marked the end of an era for the American manned space program.
There are two ways to look at this historic event. Some see the retirement of the space shuttle fleet as bad for America, because it leaves NASA unable to send American astronauts into orbit, giving up our technical lead in space and bringing an end to the manned space program. Others, including many of us at the San Diego Space Society, believe instead that the end of the shuttle program opens up a new beginning for NASA and human space exploration.
Click here for the full text.
Also posted on SignOn San Diego.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Chapter Updates on July 20, 2011
Remember July 20th, 1969? Many of you may not, as it’s been 42 years since the Apollo 11 astronauts walked on the Moon. Enjoy this NASA recap of the event.
Then take a moment to remember all of our amazing achievements in space, then and now, and envision our future!
Posted by Jesse Clark in Chapter Updates, Events on July 18, 2011
The Space Travelers Emporium opened it’s doors for the summer South Park Walkabout. We celebrated our first year by sharing a special anniversary cake with visitors. 
They also shook hands and took photos with our Mars Astronaut who strolled around the neighborhood sidewalk while other visitors took their turn driving one of the Rovers in the Mars Yard.
…what was probably the most amazing part of that night (aside from a group of dedicated people who share a common vision of our civilization and space), was just people… the normal people from all over, coming in to see this place! – Connor T.
We arranged a visit by author Dan Linehan who discussed his new book Burt Rutan’s Race to Space and signed a copy for those wanting one of their own. Didn’t get a copy? The Emporium has a few limited editions for sale, so stop by soon while supplies last.
More photos of the evening will be posted soon. (all photos courtesy of Jen Gilman)
Posted by Jesse Clark in Contests on May 20, 2011
A prize that is out of this world…
New Scientist Magazine will offer one lucky winner their very own piece of Mars! All you have to do is tell them in no more than 140 characters what you think the first person to set foot on Mars should say.
There will also be great prizes for 9 runners up who will each win a copy of Colin Pillinger’s autobiography ‘My Life On Mars’ and a Beagle 2 mug.
What would you say if you landed on Mars?
Everyone is familiar with the words relayed by Neil Armstrong when he stepped off Apollo 11’s lunar module and onto the moon itself: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” New Scientist is looking for something even more memorable or funnier that you think the first man or woman to set foot on Mars should say.
Enter here!
