posted 06-23-2004 11:06 PM               

Here are photos of two of the items he describes:

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My favorite memento from the festivities in Mojave is a black drink coaster from SpaceDev, the company that helped produce the rocket propellant for SpaceShipOne's team at Scaled Composites. It contains hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene, the same material used in the engine's rubber-based fuel.

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quote:

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Pearlman was too busy covering the launch to snag a postcard — but he did manage to get his press pass autographed by SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan as well as space pilot Mike Melvill. Don't look for that item on eBay, though: Pearlman says it's going into his personal collection.

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posted 06-24-2004 01:00 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Pearlman was too busy covering the launch to snag a postcard — but he did manage to get his press pass autographed by SpaceShipOne designer Burt Rutan as well as space pilot Mike Melvill.

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*gasps* Where was your Who's Who?

posted 06-24-2004 08:50 AM               

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
*gasps* Where was your Who's Who?

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At my side, as always.

I wasn't really expecting the opportunity to get anything signed but had decided well before attending that if the situation presented itself, I would not ask the SS1 pilot (who was still unknown at that time) to sign my Who's Who, for the same reasons I have not asked (but had ample opportunity) for Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth. Perhaps because I had a hand professionally in Tito's and Shuttleworth's flights, or perhaps just to draw a line in the sands of history, but I have decided to keep the Who's Who for the "explorers" and find some other way to collect the "adventurers". Melvill gave me real reason to pause and think through that decision -- as he pushed the envelope and nearly lost his life doing so -- but I am very happy with the press pass as it also allowed me to add Rutan's signature, which I would not in the Who's Who.