Orbiter Meeting (2009-2010)?

[Tex]

Greetings all!

After reading a recent post and seeing similar events with other communities I would like to see if we could organize an Orbiter meet where we could all meet each other, maybe do some fun space flight and astronomy related events, and for those old enough possibly have a few beers or something!

Obviously it will be impossible for all our members to meet at the same time, especially those over seas, however we could hold different regional meets if enough are interested. One meet for North America, Europe, and maybe even Australia/Asian regions. Somethings to discuss here:

• Who all would be interested?
• Which locations would be a good place to hold the meet?
• What activities would you like to do at the meet?
• Meet time frame? I suggested 2009-2010 as most will have to do some traveling so maybe if we planned well ahead of time it would give others a chance to save some money for the trip and make arrangements etc.

Post your thoughts and ideas here, this could be a lot of fun. We'll take many pictures and post them on the site too.

 

[ryan]

That will be a great idea and if its on the right time watch a shuttle launch. The best place it could be held in a natrual area like the countrys capital, great idea Tex.

 

[Deke]

I'd suggest Space Center Houston. They have areas for conventions and it's right next to JSC so we could organize a tour and what not.

 

[Cobalt]

It'd be fun. Though I've no idea where it'd be.

 

[MajorTom]

It'd be fun. Though I've no idea where it'd be.

Yes, this is a real toughie.

Maybe we can find the geographic center of all known Orbinauts. Then meet there. Umm...so many of us...so how about that point in the mid-Atlantic, at 0N, 0E (or W)?

My former company did this once...we had managers from USA and Sweden "meet in the middle" in Iceland of all places. Best biz trip of my life. :speakcool:

MT

 

[n72.75]

Predators Ahoy

 

[Deke]

Predators Ahoy

Well if the younger ones inform their parents, there shouldn't be an issue. Heck the elders can bring THEIR kids lol.

 

[Quick_Nick]

I'd suggest Space Center Houston. They have areas for conventions and it's right next to JSC so we could organize a tour and what not.

Since there are a lot of members here from around the area, that sounds like a good choice. I would definitely go to an Orbiter meeting in Houston, but even for a very large meeting I don't think I'd leave the state. (well, maybe to Louisiana, but not too far)
Also, I think maybe there should be multiple meetings for the US. Something like an Eastern, a Central, and a Western US meeting. (Maybe more if these meetings aren't going to be that big)

 

[tl8]

Does some one have a couple of million to waste?

 

[Andy44]

Make the meeting close to someplace that has other fun stuff to do. Might get more folks willing to make the trip that way. Mountains, hiking, whitewater rafting, etc. Denver?

 

[Tex]

My first thought was Houston as well as we have JSC we could tour and there are lot's of other things in the immediate area we could do. It would obviously not be a central location, but it would be a location I am very familiar with and would be easier to plan events, make arrangements for transportation etc. I was thinking I could rent a van or something (depending how many come) so we wouldn't have to worry others with directions to different places etc.

Does some one have a couple of million to waste?

That's a bit excessive, no one would need that kind of money to attend a meet. Those in the US could easily drive, granted gas is more expensive today, we might be able to work out good deals for lodging, food etc so expenses could be kept as low as possible. We have ample time to plan for it so we can really find the best deals and events.

 

[tl8]

Meaning, I don't think I would attend a US meet, heck even an Aussie meet would be hard

 

[Quick_Nick]

Party at Martin's house? XD Just kidding.

But if we had a meeting here, with Tex there, it would seem a lot 'safer' and more likely to succeed than if it was off in some other part of the country with no well-known forum members attending.
Besides... WE'VE GOT JSC!!! :speakcool:

Oh, and this would surely have to happen during a summer(or long holiday) if you really want anyone to come.
...try not the set it up during a hurricane though. :lol:

 

[Biscuit]

Or, there's always Huntsville ... I could somehow see a bunch of "Orbiteers" trying to gatecrash Spacecamp.

... *beep* Houston, we have a problem
... *beep* This is Houston, say again please Huntsville?
... *beep* Houston, we have a problem ... fanboys

:blink:

----------------------

If a gathering ... hmm, somehow since it's Orbiter related, a 'rendezvous' sounds better ... could be arranged, I'd like to try to go, time and finances permitting. That pretty much limits me to the south-east U.S. Unless it was KSC ... not really any desire to go to south Florida ... the exception being in conjuction to Nascar at Daytona. :rofl:

 

[Tex]

Including a tour of Johnson Space Center here we could go to the beach on Galveston Island, also in Galveston is Moody Gardens with a great 3D IMAX theater, a rain forest, and there is also a flight museum on the island. In Houston there is the museum of natural science which is pretty cool and being in the business I'm in I could arrange a boat ride in Galveston Bay on a big yacht. Cocktails at sunset anyone?

 

[Quick_Nick]

Including a tour of Johnson Space Center here we could go to the beach on Galveston Island, also in Galveston is Moody Gardens with a great 3D IMAX theater, a rain forest, and there is also a flight museum on the island. In Houston there is the museum of natural science which is pretty cool and being in the business I'm in I could arrange a boat ride in Galveston Bay on a big yacht. Cocktails at sunset anyone?

Kemah Boardwalk FTW! JSC, Moody Gardens, and Kemah sound like good choices.

 

[darian]

I think a Convention would be freekin awesome.

 

[Deke]

Kemah Boardwalk FTW! JSC, Moody Gardens, and Kemah sound like good choices.

Could go to an Astros game and hold up an Orbiter sign on national TV.

Tex I'll help plan this, I wanna see this work.

 

[tblaxland]

Heck the elders can bring THEIR kids lol.

The elders should bring THEIR kids.

Looking at the Fan Map, Sydney or Canberra would be fairly central for an Oceania Meet. If Sydney, I might even be convinced to do some organising . I must admit that it may be hard to justify for the handful of Aussie attendees we could expect. Perhaps we could participate in some online way?

Regarding dates, 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. A quick browse through the astronomical events shows Sat Aug 15 might be a good date for those with an astronomical bent:
- just after Perseids peak so catching a meteor is possible.
- Mercury and Saturn close to conjunction.
- Saturn's rings near-as-damn-it edge on.
Of course, I can't predict the weather that far out!

 

[willy88]

Too bad LEO isn't an option.