posted 04-06-2004 09:48 PM               

#1) Yury Usachev, who flew on 2 MIR missions (MIR 18 and 23), and on STS-101, and is best known as the Commander of the Expedition Crew to the ISS, will be attending the show! It's been a difficult row to hoe getting this worked out but here it is! Yury will not only be signing autographs both days, but will also be attending the cocktail party and banquet as well. You will find Yury to be a warm and wonderful person who I call my brother now after spending time with him in England last year at Autografica. I am SO looking forward to seeing him again. His fee is not yet established but will be soon. But he does not charge much so let not your heart be troubled. ;0)

#2) Now, this is the coolest part: We are auctioning off A DAY AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER with Yury! This is to help with his airfare so you're doing a good thing as well a having a fantastic day! I just listed on eBay and Astro-Auction (links below) this day. Winning bidders receive:

Admission for they and a guest to KSC. Yury will accompany you for the entire day there. Lunch will be provided at KSC. Yury will also sign 2 items for you and your guest - and we will have a picture taken of you with him which he will gladly sign during the show for free. This photo can be individually with him, you and your guest with him, or both. Anyway you'd like to have it. There are of course, NO restrictions on taking your own photos.

An AWESOME part of this BESIDES the day with Yury, is you will also be our guest for the private cocktail party Friday evening (May 21st) at the Space Walk of Fame. This is NOT open to the public, and you cannot buy a ticket to it. All of the autograph guests will be attending, as will many other local astronauts, dignitaries etc. This will prove to be quite an event itself.

And, the winning bidder will receive 2 general admission passes for both days. WOWOWOWOW! How cool is THIS! (You are responsible for getting to the show or locally, to attend, this does not include your airfare here).

Here are the links:
http://www.astro-auction.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?category=charity1&item=1081893530

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2237101054

Cheers!

Al
www.airandspaceshow.com

posted 04-08-2004 09:14 AM               

Your daughter is a treasure - I enjoyed meeting her at Autografica. Oh yeah AND you. Thanks for the kind words about Yury.

Well General, can't please everyone can we. I'm not sure how many folks get to spend a day with the second commander of the ISS at KSC, so it sounded pretty big to me, but hey. I may be wrong.

As far as "bigger" names, well, wouldn't we all like to have Neil attend.

Cheers!

posted 04-08-2004 09:37 AM               

General Lee must have tightly welded socks!

I would imagine a day at KSC in Yuri's company would be an event to treasure. He's a top guy having had the pleasure of meeting him last year.

OK, so Al couldn't twist Neil's arm, next time maybe??

posted 04-08-2004 09:58 AM               

Its funny how we can get a bit blase about who attends these shows. I for one have my socks blown every time I meet ANY of the astronaut fraternity, they are ALL as worthy as one another. Wether they be Neil Armstrong (or any other high profile Astronaut) or, as is implied (though I'm sure not intentionally) a mere ISS commander. Remember they also ALL stood every chance of not being able to attend such shows.
Yuri, I for one am looking forward to shaking your hand.
Now wheres that sock gone... I think it went under the sofa.

Best to all

John

PS Dont forget to bid... :-)

posted 04-08-2004 10:02 AM               

Having tracked astronaut and cosmonaut appearances for nearly five years now, I can tell you that it is exceedingly rare to find a cosmonaut in the United States unless he is busy training for his mission or has just returned to Earth and is preparing to return home. To have the opportunity to spend an entire day with one -- and at that, someone who has not only been but lived in space for six months -- would seem to qualify for a knock-your-socks off description.

posted 04-08-2004 10:04 AM               

I do appreciate your sentiments about how difficult it is gaining guests. I've mentioned in the past on these boards several times about the ones who have not attended and why, so keeping that in mind who would you suggest we bring?

As I said, you can't please everyone, so you please as many as you can. With the off board and off list responses ive had, there have been many socks knocked off. Doesn't always have to do with bidding or lack thereof, it has to do with many factors.

Cheers,

posted 04-08-2004 11:51 AM               

I guess it just goes to show you, everyone has their own view of the world.

posted 04-08-2004 12:26 PM               

I have met a number of Apollo astronauts including 4 moonwalkers and I would have a hard time choosing who I would like to spend the whole day with between one of them and Yuri. Yuri would certainly not be my bottom choice, in fact he would be quite high.

I am sure that whoever does spend the day with Yuri will have a great time and some marvellous memories. I hope they will share some of them with us.

Al 2 and the others are putting together a great show and I wish I could be there.

Now! Where did those socks blow to?

posted 04-08-2004 12:54 PM               

I believe that Al and the guys are doing a superb job in putting this together - and to think that they are offering an opportunity to tour KSC with someone who has actually launched from those grounds is quite spectacular!

Even though I will not be bidding - work complications may not permit me to attend - my socks were indeed knocked off!

posted 04-08-2004 06:25 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by General Lee:
Al,

I am guessing that alot of people(celebrities from different walks of life) are opposed to attending these types of shows for various reasons.As far as answering your question,I would love to meet Joe Engle, Rusty Schweickart or Frank Borman. I also would like to meet Guy Bluford and Chuck Yeager. I guess you are right, what one person thinks is great another might not agree and that goes for anything in life!

---

Actually I agree in regards to the above, any and all of them would be fantastic guests. I in fact, spoke to Chuck Yeager in person last October and suggested the Burbank show to him after he declined ours as too far for him to travel. Engle of course, does not and will not sign for a fee but more so felt his responsibilities to the Return to Flight Commission outweighed everything else right now. Rusty living in Europe now makes it rather difficult as well.

Hope this helps. Neither Steve Zarelli & Rex Hall and I, nor Nolan and Steve are letting any moss grow - believe us.

Cheers!

posted 04-08-2004 07:33 PM               

Cheers!

posted 04-08-2004 07:49 PM               

I met Cdr Yuri Usachev in Decemeber 2002.
He did a seminar on life onboard MIR and ISS.
Yep, he speaks fluent english, and has a huge personality for such a small man. He signed autographs for over an hour after the show. I waited until last and explained that I was aiming to get a few autographs for collectors who couldnot attend.
He gladly signed 9, yes 9, items, not all bought from him.

He was the first "Spaceman" I saw.
The person who wins the bid for his company for the day, will have spent money wisely. And who knows who you may meet in KSC on the day?

As for Chuck Yeager, AL, you've done great by getting the other fixed wing X pilots to attend.
Just a shame its 5,000 miles from here.

Everyone have a great weekend, and tell us europeans all about it later.

posted 04-09-2004 11:08 PM               

Must've knocked a FEW socks off, the bidding is over $500 on Astro-Auction!

Thanks to all!

Cheers!