I Assure You We’re Open!

By | |
Comments Off on I Assure You We’re Open!

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center opened to members this morning for the first time in nearly three months.

Despite the dreary weather and light showers, a number of people were in line at 10am sharp!

There was quite a bit of cleaning going on. Employees were all wearing masks and generally practicing good social distancing amongst themselves. It’s clear the Space & Rocket Center is taking cleanliness seriously.

Though the center is officially open once again, it’s only open in part. In the Davidson Center, The Saturn V Hall is open, but the National Geographic Theater remains closed.

In the main museum area, only the center atrium is open. Every other facility from the Training Center Floor/MCC to the main gift shop and planetarium are currently closed.

There’s still enough to see to justify the currently discounted $13 admission price. Ultimately a slow, conservative approach to reopening is probably the right answer. Having been hit tremendously hard by the shutdown, I doubt the Space Center could afford to stay closed much longer.

It was wonderful to be able to go back to the Space Center and visit for a morning. It’s a nice bit of normalcy returned. Let’s hope it can stay that way and that the Space Center and the rest of the country can safely continue to reopen.

Photos from today’s reopening

1983 Space Camp Application Guide – HabFiles Update!

By | |
Comments Off on 1983 Space Camp Application Guide – HabFiles Update!

It has been some time since I have updated the HabFiles section of this website.

I haven’t stopped collecting artifacts from Space Camp’s past, but I’ve been woefully inept at sharing them!

That is a trend I hope to reverse starting today!

I recently got hold of a 1983 Space Camp Application Guide and I couldn’t wait to share!

Alas, the application itself was cut from the guide, but everything else is in tact, including the week’s schedule, camp dates for 1983, and pricing information–$250 in 1983!

I don’t know if Space Camp ever produced a guide for 1982. That might very well make this Space Camp’s oldest program guide! It’s certainly the oldest thing from Space Camp in my collection!

I hope you enjoy looking at this as much as I have!

1983 Space Camp Program Guide Cover - Thumbnail

USSRC Reopening – More Information

By | |
Comments Off on USSRC Reopening – More Information

As The U.S. Space & Rocket Center prepares to open its doors at the end of the week, they have sent out an email and updated their website to provide additional information about the reopening process.

Highlights:

  • Admission has been reduced by 50% to $13
  • The simulators are closed to support social distancing
  • Masks will be required for employees but only ‘strongly recommended’ for visitors
  • Hours will be reduced, with the Space Center staying closed on Mondays for additional cleaning

The Space Center will be open on Friday for members only and will open to the general public beginning on Saturday, May 30th.

Email sent to members on May 27th, 2020

Failure is Not an Option

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Failure is Not an Option

COVID-19 has hit every individual, business, and charity hard, and even Space Camp has not been spared. In order to anything and everything possible, The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is launching their “Failure is Not an Option” campaign.

If you are able, please consider donating at https://www.gospaceeducation.org/alumni

Space & Rocket Center Reopens this Week!

By | |
Comments Off on Space & Rocket Center Reopens this Week!

USSRC Rocket LogoThe U.S. Space & Rocket Center has announced that they will open their doors to members this Friday, May 29th and to the general public starting Saturday, May 30th.

Like many businesses, The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will be requesting that its visitors wear masks and practice social distancing.

The reopening will come as a relief by many as the unprecedented 75-day closure of The U.S. Space & Rocket Center has forced the museum to lay off many.

Space Camp programs did shut down as well and will remain cancelled until at least June 28, 2020.

Server Move!

By | |
Comments Off on Server Move!

If you’re reading this, you’ve been delivered this site from the new server!

This server is now the fourth incarnation of the site on its fourth home! Every time I move it, it gets a fresh coat of paint!

I hope you like it.

The server and software hosting Hab1 and the HabForum were woefully out of date. The transition and update have been a year in the making. And what I mean by that is that I’ve been planning it for a year, but have been too busy (*cough* lazy *cough*) to get it done!

I’ve moved the server into the very capable hands of Linode! Though I was by no means upset with the previous host, they never adjusted the price down as computing go less expensive, while Linode does! Since capturing a less expensive price would have necessitated a move of hosts anyway, I decided to move hosting companies as well. So far, I’m very impressed with Linode. The best part: automatic backups! I, uh, wasn’t up on that as well as I should have been, and only by sheer luck did nothing bad ever happen!

Everything is up-to-date and ready to go! There are some tough times ahead for Space Camp as I write this, but I think there’s going to be a lot of great things to cover, and many more years to go!

We will experience those wonderful things together here!

Welcome!

Massive Layoffs at USSRC

By | |
Comments Off on Massive Layoffs at USSRC

Dark version of the USSRC Rocket LogoHaving been closed since March 14, the Space & Rocket Center has not had any visitors or the revenue they bring for over two months.

As a result, the Center is preparing to lay off more than one-third of its entire staff. Permanently.

AL.com has the story

The only good news in the article is that the Space Center does expect to reopen soon, and Space Camp will continue in late June for a shorter summer with fewer in attendance.

This is a real shame.  Just when everything seemed to be going right for the Space Center, and their financial hardships seemed to finally be behind them.

Hopefully in time the Alabama state government will be able to provide some assistance to the state’s largest tourist attraction.

It’s just awful though.  Hopefully, those affected will be able to find other work quickly.  I’m sure it won’t be as impactful or meaningful though.

USSRC Closing for Three Weeks; Space Camp to Remain Open

By | |
Comments Off on USSRC Closing for Three Weeks; Space Camp to Remain Open

In response to the growing COVID-19 situation, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center announced today that they will close to museum visitors beginning tomorrow, March 14, 2020. The Center will remain closed to the general public through Friday, April 3, 2020, with plans to reopen on April 4th.

Space Camp programs will remain unaffected.

As this is still late winter, Space Camp is far from their busy season, but it’s still nice to know that what few Space Camp campers are scheduled to attend won’t be turned away.

The announcement was posted on their website here.

Deborah Barnhart Leaving Space & Rocket Center

By | | ,
Comments Off on Deborah Barnhart Leaving Space & Rocket Center

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s CEO, Dr. Deborah Barnhart, will be stepping down from her position at the end of 2019 to “pursue other opportunities.”

There was extensive media coverage from within Huntsville news media:

The announcement came today in a press release from The Space & Rocket Center:

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –  The Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission today announces that Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, is stepping down. Dr. Barnhart has led the Rocket Center for the past nine years and her departure is effective Dec. 31, 2019.

“On behalf of the Alabama Space and Science Exhibit Commission, I want to say how grateful we are to Dr Barnhart for her strong leadership, creative vision, devoted service and unmatched legacy,” John Nerger, Chairman of ASSEC, said. “She has earned the respect and admiration of so many throughout the Tennessee Valley, the State of Alabama and across the country. Hers are difficult shoes to fill so we will work hard to identify and select a worthy successor.”

Nerger also noted Dr. Barnhart’s infectious enthusiasm and far-reaching vision in a tenure that has seen an 89 percent increase in gross revenue and record-breaking Space Camp attendance. She leaves the Center after the stellar success of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 celebration, with attendance reaching more than a million visitors for the first time.

“It has been my honor and a pleasure to serve this institution and the State of Alabama,” Dr. Barnhart, said. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the center of our community and the icon of our mutual achievement. Our work has influenced millions around the world to new personal heights. There is no more satisfying legacy than the accomplishments of our Space Camp alumni, the national pride we inspire in our visitors as they learn about the amazing work underway by Team Redstone.”

In addition to her time as CEO and Executive Director, Dr. Barnhart previously served as Director of Space Camp from 1986 to 1990. She now plans to pursue other missions in Washington D.C., Denmark and the Gulf Coast and will retain a home in Huntsville.

Louie Ramirez, a long-time Center leader who has served as its Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim CEO until Dr. Barnhart’s replacement is named. ASSEC has named Dr. Barnhart CEO Emeritus, and she will advise and support the recruitment and hiring of a new CEO, a process that is expected to take 60 to 90 days.