Posted August 25, 2010

These are pictures of Michael at Aurora Aerospace during his zero-gravity training on August 12, 2010.
Go to AIO-50 press release on Aug. 23 for details.

Preparing for takeoff - Howard Chipman (Aurora Aerospace's CEO), Michael Ballance, and Veronique Balsa-Koken (Aurora Aerospace's president).	Michael anticipating zero-gravity.
Michael achieves and experiences zero-gravity!	Michael receives his Certificate of Achievement and breaks an existing world record (held by a seven-year-old).

Posted July 9, 2010

The STUDENTS IN SPACE Program, is the newest initiative of the International Space Science Education Program (ISSEP). American college students will have the opportunity to compete for a seat on an orbital mission planned for 2014.

AIO-50 will announce more details and the application procedure for the STUDENTS IN SPACE Program later this year. The basic requirements are:

• U.S. citizen
• College student in a 2 or 4 year school – graduate students, OK
• Be 18 to 25 years of age at the time of launch
• FAA Class 2 medical certificate
• Complete astronaut training

Involvement, is the only sure way to inspire future generations of space explorers.

Posted June 23, 2010

A medical issue has resulted in an open seat on the backup crew for America’s Launch. We will now accept applications by mail only. The applicants must posses a valid FAA second class medical certificate. Applicants do not have to be an American citizen. This backup crew member will be the prime crew (right seat) for the Q4 2012 launch of the second mission. We will accept applications until Dec. 31, 2010.

Posted Dec. 20, 2009

Students from the Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gave presentations on their Fall semester projects. Members of AIO-50 were present. The following ISSEP projects were reviewed:

1/3 scale Gemini test vehicle	Solar wing deployment system	Parasail/Rogallo wing research
Original Gemini drawing-CAD conversion	Full scale mockup of the Space Science Module

Students will continue to work on ISSEP projects during the Spring 2010 semester.

CRAIG

Posted Nov. 20, 2009

The event will be held at the “Sci-Quest” in Huntsville Alabama. Tickets go on sale today; $50 single, $90 couple.
Speakers:
Craig Russell, AIO-50 President
Al Reisz, AIO-50 International Advisory Board, Chairman
Dr. Kader Frendi, Chairman Dept. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering & AIO-50 International Advisory Board member
Dr. Christina Carmen, Professor Dept. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
America’s Launch prime crew, Commander Howard Chipman and Pilot Veronique Balsa-Koken
UAHuntsville students will give presentations on ISSEP projects

Seating is limited….get your tickets soon!

CRAIG

Posted October 23, 2009

PHOTO: Craig Russell (center) with prime crew "Veronique" (left) and "Chip" (right) after a short L 39 mission.

CRAIG

Posted September 19, 2009

We are happy to announce the first bid on the “open seat” for the backup crew of America’s Launch. (Feb. 20, 2012)
Higher bids will continue to be accepted until the end of next year (2010). The seat will be sold to the highest bidder.
This person will launch as a prime crewmember (right seat) in Q4 2012, and have the opportunity for EVA.
All names in this process will remain confidential.The name of the highest bidder will be announced Jan. 1, 2011.
We will post higher bids as they come in.I will reveal the nationality of the first person to bid on this mission: American !

CRAIG

Posted Sep. 9, 2009

CRAIG

Posted August 18, 2009

I will try to answer all questions and promise to keep the operations of AIO-50 as transparent to the public as possible.

CRAIG

Posted July 9, 2009

A Gemini boilerplate has been made available to us from Vince Lawrence, President of SpaceCraftRentals.com. We now have it on display at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. It will remain there until the Fall of this year. The capsule will then be moved to a university so students will have the opportunity to experiment with landing systems. Thanks again Vince for your support!

CRAIG

Posted June 8, 2009

I’m delighted to announce that Mr. Vince Lawrence is now a member of the Advisory Board. 

• President of SpaceCraftRentals.com
• Owner of a Gemini boilerplate capsule
• Owner of a ½ size Space Shuttle replica exhibit
• President of a non-profit youth space education program
• Commercial pilot/aircraft mechanic  

His knowledge of space history and experience in education are a great addition to our team.  Welcome aboard !

CRAIG

Posted June 2, 2009

The back up astronaut for the Commander (left seat) has been selected. We will continue to accept applications for the right seat until December of this year.
A FAA Pilot Certificate will not be required for this position, however a FAA Medical Certificate is required. We will announce the names of this crew in January 2010.

CRAIG

Posted May 13, 2009

I’m happy to announce our latest addition to the Advisory Board. Mr. Seth Eden has come forward to lead the development of the flight simulator that will be used to train the astronauts for the 2012 mission. Mr. Eden is also involved with the following:

• Researching space flight simulation upgrades at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center
• Works as a Senior Software Analyst with Intergraph Inc. programming CAD Smart Marine3D
• Is a Beta Tester with Orbiter Free Space Simulator for 10 years  

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for attending our first public event back in February. We have a great deal more interest in the program and our fundraising effort is now moving forward. 

CRAIG

Posted February 1, 2009

This event should be one of the most exciting of its kind. Commander Chipman & Pilot Koken are scheduled to be the first private astronauts to be launched into orbit from the United States. The astronauts will sign autographs for free! Your $25 ticket includes food and something to drink. Kids 13 years old and younger are admitted free. Bring the kids and make it a family event!
Tickets are selling fast, get yours today.
Help make the 50th Commemoration of Friendship 7 and the International Space Science Education Program a reality.
Simply click on the follwing link to purchase tickets: Click here
See you there!

CRAIG

It is my great pleasure to announce that Mr. Al Reisz is now a member of the Advisory Board.

• Propulsion Engineer - Saturn Program
• CEO Reisz Engineers
  

Mr. Reisz will also address those gathered at the Feb. 20, 2009 T-minus 3 Public Event
Happy Holidays to all and all the best in the new year !

CRAIG

Tickets now on sale for $25
Simply click on the follwing link to purchase tickets:
Click here

CRAIG

Mr. T.J. O'Malley will speak! Mr. O'Malley was the launch director of the Friendship 7 Mission. (Guest of Honor)
Other honored guests:

• Konrad Dannenberg - Advisory Board
• Al Reisz - Advisory Board
• Greg Allison - AIO-50 V.P.
• Bob Gamble - AIO-50 Secretary/Treasury

Tickets will go on sale soon. Only 800 tickets will be sold
More details to follow, soon.

CRAIG

The presentation will take place in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, which is located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama.
AIO-50 Astronauts, Commander Howard Chipman and Co-Pilot Veronique Koken will give a presentation on the mission.
More details of this event will be posted later this month.

CRAIG

I’d like to share some excerpts from recent articles that have appeared in Space News International:

SEPTEMBER 24, 2007- In prior times, agencies have successfully executed the mandate for the nation’s practical education of scientists and engineers by offering frequent, low-cost access to space. This was an avenue that provided the scientific, government and commercial space sectors a steady supply of experienced and highly talented personnel for the labor force. This supply pipeline has all but dried up.

Why is access to space so crucial? Education and experience are complementary aspects in developing technical expertise, whether it be for scientists or engineers. The space enterprise is not readily replicated in laboratories on the Earth’s surface. Hence, developing experience requires apprenticeships through which students design, fabricate, test and fly their experiments in space.

It is high time someone step up to the plate and restore the academic opportunities to educate the next-generation space work force.

APRIL 21, 2008- The United States cannot retain global technological superiority, when U.S. students’ math and science rankings are among the lowest of developed nations.

There were so many programs in the `60s, `70s and `80s, but now there are not so many, so there aren’t as many opportunities to learn from mistakes. We need to create more excitement and provide daunting challenges.

AUGUST 11, 2008- Space industry officials agree that the next generation of engineers and scientists need hands-on opportunities to build and test small satellites. The challenge is getting those student-built satellites launched. We want, and the country needs, to work toward enabling students to launch, test, explore, validate and invigorate a new generation of engineers and scientists. We have to find a way.      

Americans in Orbit-50 Years Inc.(AIO-50), received its’ non-profit status under the category of education. Our goal is to have a dedicated “education launch” at least every two years. The Space Science Module (SSM) will be able to carry over 10,000 lbs. into orbit.

The Friendship 7 commemorative mission will be the first manned spaceflight commemoration and the largest launch of student space science experiments in history.

The International Space Science Education Program (ISSEP) is structured to enable a large number of students throughout the U.S., and eventually the world, to directly participate in actual space science experiments.

Discussions are currently underway with the University of Alabama at Huntsville, to possibly be the “Anchor University” for the program. All universities who are interested in participating in the 2012 launch, should contact us immediately.

Technology Corporations, as well as individuals, who make tax-deductible donations to the program, will insure the steady supply of experienced personnel so desperately needed for future space exploration. We are also contacting education foundations for on going funding. With your help, “America’s Launch” will inspire future generations of  space explorers. America’s Launch will not only honor our first astronauts but also those thousands of Americans that were responsible for the great success of our early space programs.

CRAIG

Bill Larson is now a member of the Advisory Board. Bill was one of the founders of our organization and was responsible for the initial formation of the Advisory Board. He also wrote and narrated the AIO-50 video presentation. He will now help move the program forward as the Director of media relations. As a career correspondent, Bill covered the Space Program all the way back to the Gemini missions. Thank you so much for your excellent work and continued support!

CRAIG

I’m happy to announce Lorraine Ruiz is now a member of the Advisory Board. Ms. Ruiz is the Operations Manager of the Ames Exploration Encounter. Her addition is a tremendous asset in view of her past educational accomplishments and her present NASA position.

Welcome to the team!

CRAIG

Final decisions have been made on the spacecraft construction. The two (2) seat manned vehicle and the space science module (SSM) will be built by a U.S. aerospace company. The RFP is scheduled to be sent out in Nov. of this year.

CRAIG

Two (2) astronauts have now been selected as the primary crew for the mission: Dr. Howard Chipman (Commander) and Veronique Koken (Second-in Command).
The astronauts plan to present the project at the next NSS Conference in Washington D.C. on May 29-June 1.
 Welcome to the team!

CRAIG

Posted January 10, 2008

We are now accepting applications for Astronaut on the Friendship 7 re-creation mission. I made the announcement at a local meeting of the National Space Society (HAL 5) in Huntsville, AL. on January 9, 2008.
Applicants must meet the following requirements

• U.S. citizen
• Male or Female
• 5 feet, 11 inches (Max height)
• Pilot- 1,500 hrs. (high performance aircraft)
  - FAA commercial pilot certificate/instrument rating
  - FAA medical certificate
• No previous space flight experience

Application process:
NO EMAIL (include Your email address for receipt notification)

• 2 pages maximum:
  - one page bio- personal history/flight experience
  - one page “why I should be selected”
• photograph

Four (4) astronauts will be selected and trained.
We are looking forward to hearing from you all!
Good Luck,

CRAIG

We have decided on a new plan for the construction of the Mercury capsule. A consortium of universities across the country will work together to build the capsule. This will greatly enhance the educational aspect of the project. Currently, access to space for universities is extremely limited. The adaptor section aft of the capsule will be able to take up to 16,000 lb. of small satellites or other space science experiments.

CRAIG

Konrad K. Dannenberg is now a member of the Advisory Board.

• Deputy Manager of the Saturn program
• Helped develop and produce the Redstone and Jupiter missile  systems
• Original member of German rocket team

Welcome aboard!

CRAIG

William Coleman, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) is now a member of the Advisory Board.

• Chief of Public Affairs, DOD Manager, Manned Spaceflight
• Chief of Public Affairs, National Ranges Division
• Chief of Public Affairs, Eastern Test Range
• Chief of Public Affairs, United States Air Force
• Chief of Project Blue Book
• Motion Picture Producer, Mark VII Productions

As you can see, Mr. Coleman brings a great deal of valuable experience to us.

Welcome Aboard!

CRAIG

Mr. Larry R. Capps is now a member of the Advisory Board. Mr. Capps is the Chief Executive Officer of the U. S. Space and Rocket Center.

CRAIG

We are pleased to announce Mr. Charles Arthur "Chuck" Biggs,Sr. is now a member of the Advisory Board. Mr. Biggs brings 30 years of experience as a former NASA professional to the board. He also has a great deal of experience in Space Education. He was formerly Vice President and Secretary of the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation,Inc.(1986-1992) His technical knowledge and Public Affairs experience will be a tremendous asset.

CRAIG

The press release/news conference scheduled for May 5,2007 has been delayed until later this year. I hope to have additional updates soon.

CRAIG

We are currently in the process of forming an Advisory Board. Members of this board are chosen for their knowledge, experience, and ability. I am delighted to announce that Mr. T.J. O'Malley is the first member of the Advisory Board. Mr. O'Malley was the Test Conductor of the original Friendship-7 mission! We hope to announce other members in the near future.

CRAIG

A press release-news conference will be held in Cape Canaveral, FL on May 5, 2007. The time and exact location of this event will be posted at a later date.

CRAIG

23 March 2006: Received 501(c)(3) organization non-profit status.

13 October 2005: Americans In Orbit-50 Years, Inc. was incorporated in Huntsville, Alabama