Rylan Hansen Retires from Space Service. He is Headed Planetside. Meet the Space Center's Voyager Club Starbase Williamson Development Team. The Magellan Hosts the Staff From the American Heritage Discovery Space Center. David Kyle Herring Weds. Imaginarium Theater

Rylan at the Mic for his Last Mission on the Falcon

Saying goodbye is never easy—especially when it’s someone who has shaped the Space Center with both talent and heart. Rylan Hansen began his service at the Space Center in January 2020, following proudly in his father’s footsteps. His dad, Jade Hansen, served as a volunteer back in the 1990s and continues today as a part-time Cassini supervisor—balancing that role alongside his full-time career. The Space Center has always been a family affair for the Hansens, and Rylan carried that legacy forward with distinction.

     Rylan, on the Falcon, with this last team of volunteers

From the very beginning, Rylan stood out as a rising star. He approached every assignment with enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism. Determined to earn his simulator passes and one day take command as a flight director, he worked hard to learn every system and skill required. That effort paid off—Rylan became one of the Falcon’s first flight directors when the simulator opened, a milestone he earned through talent and persistence.

Rylan's last act as a Falcon Flight Director is to Surrender his Falcon Mic to Mikey, the Ship's Next Senior Flight Director

Rylan was the kind of volunteer and employee who raised the bar for everyone around him. He was respected, admired, and trusted—not just for his skill, but for the way he made others feel valued and capable. Thomas R., one of Rylan’s longtime volunteers on the Falcon, shared this tribute:

"Rylan had been such an influence to me throughout my time at the Space Center—from being one of my mentors and teaching me how to be a good flight director, to many fun times working with him as a volunteer on both the Falcon and the Magellan. Rylan had always been such a joy to work with, and it's safe to say he's become a close friend. I wish him well as he starts his new mission."

Those words capture what so many of us feel. Rylan’s presence and talents strengthened the Space Center community, and his absence will be deeply felt by volunteers, coworkers, and friends alike.

The After Mission Dinner at Culver's with the Falcon Staff and Friends

Rylan, we wish you all the luck in your future adventures planetside. Thank you for everything you brought to the Center—from your leadership to your humor to your endless supply of good energy.

Please “beam up” whenever you can. The starships will always have a place for you.

The Last Great Cheer from Rylan's Final Mission on the Falcon

Photos and Video thanks to Thomas R.  Thanks Thomas!

The Starbase Williamson Development Team Meets for the First Time at the Space Center

Dave Stevens and the Voyager Clubs New Starbase Development Team (SDT)

The Space Center’s Voyager Club is far more than a volunteer group—it’s the creative engine that powers much of what makes the Space Center extraordinary. In addition to staffing our starship simulators, Voyager Club members immerse themselves in hands-on learning through classes in Blender animation, acting, makeup artistry, and prop design and construction. It’s a place where imagination meets skill-building, and where young people learn to bring entire worlds to life.

Yesterday marked an exciting milestone as the Voyager Club’s newest development team met for the very first time. The Starbase Williamson Development Team—made up of dedicated high school student members—will work under the guidance of instructor Dave Stevens to design and build fresh interactive exhibits and props that will enrich the Starbase Williamson environment.  Megan Warner will oversee the team's work.  Megan is the Space Center's Operations Lead, responsible for the Starbase and simulator sets, maintenance, and development.  

For those unfamiliar, Starbase Williamson encompasses the downstairs lobby and hallways that lead to the Center’s six starship simulators. It’s the first thing crews see when they arrive for missions, and the Dev Team’s work will help transform that space into a more immersive, story-filled experience.

Their instructor, Dave Stevens, is a long-time adult volunteer at the Space Center and a familiar face to many. Over the years, he has taught numerous Unity and game-development workshops, inspiring students to explore digital world-building and interactive design. With his leadership, the Starbase Dev Team is poised to make a real impact on the look and feel of our starbase.

During their first meeting, students received an introduction to the basics of Unity, the game engine they’ll be using to prototype and create new interactive elements. Their first assignment is an exciting one: each member must brainstorm and plan a potential Starbase experience using the tools and concepts discussed in class.

We’re thrilled to welcome Jaxon, Bruce, and Alex as the founding members of the new team. Their creativity and enthusiasm will help shape the next chapter of Starbase Williamson.

More updates to come as the team begins building the future! 

The Magellan Hosts the Staff from the American Heritage School's Discovery Space Center.

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center was the first of its kind in Utah County—a pioneering launchpad for imagination, exploration, and hands-on STEAM learning. Today, that legacy has inspired a small constellation of additional space centers in American Fork, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and Vineyard. Each has its own staff, volunteers, and starship simulators, yet all share a common mission: to prepare a new generation of space enthusiasts as we move steadily toward becoming a spacefaring society.

One of these sister centers is the Discovery Space Center, located at American Heritage School in American Fork. It is home to two starships: the Discovery and the Galileo II. Under the leadership of director Alex Debirk, the center is staffed by talented American Heritage high school students who bring energy, skill, and creativity to every mission they run.

Last year, the Discovery Space Center welcomed several members of our own Voyager Club for a special visit. Our volunteers had a blast flying a mission aboard their Starship Discovery. Yesterday, we were excited to return the favor. 

The Space Center hosted the Discovery Center’s staff aboard the Magellan, giving them the chance to experience one of our missions firsthand. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the unique community of educators and volunteers who make Utah’s space simulation programs so remarkable.

Here's to many more shared missions across our ever-growing fleet! 

The Happy Couple

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Herring; yes Space Center alumni, the great Kyle Herring (aka the Big Fish) has married the love of his life.  I was more than privileged to attend the ring ceremony Wednesday night. It was so good to see this long time friend, associate, and co-worker from many many years at the Space Center radiate with pure happiness and joy.  It was a night to remember.  

Not only was the ring ceremony emotionally moving, the middle eastern feast that followed was a culinary physically inspired event!!!! I've never in my life had food that good!

Congratulations old friend!  

Victor 

Imaginarium Theater

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The Space Center Celebrates its 35th Birthday. How it All Began. The Space Center Hosts Volunteer Family Night to Celebrate 35 Years. Imaginairum Theater.

Volunteer Family Night: Celebrating 35 Years of Space Center Magic!

Last night — November 8, 2025 — the Space Center threw open its airlocks for one of the most anticipated events of our 35th anniversary celebration: Volunteer Family Night!

Bill Schuler with the Display Case full of his plastic modelled creations.

It was an evening to celebrate our volunteers — the heart and soul of the Space Center — and to let their families see firsthand what makes this place so stellar.

Bradyn getting things set up

Anya, Omar, and Eli preparing the cookies and cupcakes

By 6:30 PM, families began arriving, filling the lobby with excited chatter and that familiar buzz of cosmic curiosity. Our 80 volunteers and their families were split into Alpha and Beta groups, each with a mission plan packed with out-of-this-world activities.

🪐 The Mission Plan

Each crew’s journey included:
1️⃣ A planetarium presentation led by the ever-brilliant Brylee, who guided guests through the stars.
2️⃣ Simulator tours with Jon and Mitch, giving families an inside look at the magic behind our legendary missions.
3️⃣ A dazzling laser show in the planetarium, engineered by Mr. Porter and Brylee — a real cosmic light symphony!
4️⃣ A Space Center history presentation in the faculty room, where stories of our 35-year journey came to life.
5️⃣ And of course, refreshments in the gym — because even astronauts need a little sugar! 

6:30 P.M.the volunteers and families begin to gather

The Planetarium Team: Brylee and Mr. Porter. The red lighting because he was working in the planetarium's crow's nest on a laser show.

At the refreshment stations, Anya and her team ran the cookie decorating table like pros, while Bradyn and Jacqueline Lystrup served up cotton candy and snow cones for two straight hours (talk about endurance training!).

Mission Accomplished

By 8:30 PM, the mission was complete  — it was a night to remember.

Huge thanks to:

• Mr. Porter, our Director, for helping me organize the event and crafting that incredible laser show.

• Brylee Perry, for her stellar planetarium presentation.

• Bill Schuler and Mark Daymont, who kept the lobby and display case running smoothly.

• Mitch Foote and Jon Parker, for leading simulator tours and helping with the history presentation.

• Anya Whiting, Eli, and Omar, for keeping the cookie and cupcake stations deliciously busy.

• Bradyn and Jacqueline Lystrup, for providing the carnival atmosphere with their goodies.

Mitch and Jon

And, of course, thank you to all our volunteers — for showing off your Space Center pride, sharing your love of exploration, and giving your families a true insider’s view of the adventures you help create every day.

Here’s to 35 years of inspiring young minds to look up — and to the next 35 years of wonder, teamwork, and discovery.

Happy 35th Birthday, Space Center!

Ad Astra!

Victor Williamson

Thoughts and a Short Video by James Porter on the Space Center's 35th Birthday

Today marks 35 years since the Voyager simulator first started taking students on experiences beyond the limitations of a typical classroom. So many individuals have collectively helped us to reach this point, so we give thanks to them and those who continue to inspire through the discipline of wonder. Much has changed in the world since our launch in 1990. What hasn't changed is that we are part of an amazing community. A community with the unique collective experience as starship crews exploring our universe through the endless reaches of our imaginations.

We can't imagine 35 years with out you. Happy 35th anniversary to the Christa McAuliffe Space Center and her many crews.

James Porter

Space Center Director

My Reflections on the Space Center's 35th Birthday

 On November 8, 1990, ago the Space Center opened its doors to the world with a massive open house and dedication program.  Hundreds of people attended. The lines to tour the Starship Voyager stretched all the way down the hallway of Central School.  We filled the school's gym for the program. Our guest speaker was Senator Jake Garn, Utah's Senator who went into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985.  

Fast forward thirty-five years to today.  Writing as the founder, I want to say thank you to the many hundreds of staff and volunteers who've worked hard over the decades to make the Space Center what it is today; and thank you to the hundreds of thousands of people who've attended a Space Center field trip, camp, private mission, class, etc. for your support.

My inspiration to build the first starship Voyager at Central School in 1989-1990 was rooted in the classroom starship I operated from 1983-1990. The classroom simulator was simple; student desks, poster board controls, a boom box cassette player, an overhead projector, overheads, and a good story. We did our classroom deep space explorations as part of my sixth grade curriculum. More elaborate simulations were used for my Young Astronaut Chapter meetings. Instead of using my classroom, we set up our desks and poster controls in the gym and used the entire school as our starship. 

The original paper helm station for the classroom starship Pegasus.

     I'm often asked, "How did this place [the Space Center] get started?" It's a story I've shared hundreds of times over the last thirty years. Many of you Troubadours know the story so I'll be brief.  
     Spring 1983. Because of a clerical mistake at BYU, my 3rd grade student teaching assignment in Springville was mistakenly given to another student. I was called into the education department office and asked if I'd be kind enough to take a 6th grade student teaching position at Central Elementary School in Pleasant Grove. Mr. Mike Thompson was to be my cooperating teacher. I didn't know where Pleasant Grove was but gladly took the assignment; I liked the 6th grade curriculum and the more mature students.

     

My 6th Grade Student Teaching Class. Mr. Thompson is on the left. Mr. Emal (principal) on the right.
This was their class picture taken in September 1982

     Mr. Thompson asked me to teach the space science unit.  Knowing this unit would make up a large part of my student teaching grade, I wanted to impress my professor with something out of the box and unusual.  I decided to copy Carl Sagan's Cosmos TV series and take the class out into space to witness first hand what I was teaching. Classroom computers were unheard of in the Spring of 1983 so I created poster board controls for the student's desks. I drew most of my visuals (tacticals) on overhead projector plastic 81/2 by 11 sheets and ran the simulations from behind my desk with an overhead projector. My cassette player boom box provided the music. My voice did the sound effects and different voices and accents for my main engineer, computer, and aliens.  

 That spring, the class and I took several voyages into space.  The professor was impressed and gave me an A.  Mr. Thompson enjoyed it and wrote me up a glowing recommendation.  My student teaching ended with a job offer. Mr. Frandsen, the other sixth grade teacher in room 20, announced his retirement and the job was offered.  The rest, as they say, is history.

The poster board weapons and engine controls. The wear and tear speaks of the many missions and hours of fun
this poster provided my students over those many years.

     The poster board controls for the USS Pegasus were easy to use. The student spoke the button's name while pushing the button.  From behind my desk, I'd year the student and make the appropriate sound whilst searching through my stack of overheads for the right visual effect.  

These young Starfleet officers are in their mid early 50's today

Here you go, the USS Pegasus sensors station.

The ship's transporter station. Yes, the dials actually spin

The navigation station. I used water based markers to hand draw a map of the sector on the plastic covered top section.
The students used rulers and protractors to plot and speak their courses.

  

One of the engineering posters for the USS Pegasus.

The communications poster controls.

The inspiration for my classroom simulations came from Carl Sagan's television series "Cosmos" which aired in 1980. I watched Cosmos while I was a student at BYU on a small 12 inch black and white TV.  In Cosmos, Carl Sagan ventured deep into space aboard his starship to inspire the American public to look up and realize where life originated and where it can go. Even today I'll rewatch the opening to Cosmos on YouTube and feel the same feelings I did then.

  

The Space Center's mission is the same as it was on our opening day in 1990, we work to create a space-faring civilization.

Carl Sagan said, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known".  Perhaps that something is ourselves, and the knowledge that we are all one, woven together into the eternal fabric of time and space.  

Ad Astra!

Victor  

Imaginarium Theater

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The End of a Busy October at the Space Centers and Mission.io. Imaginarium Theater

The Christa McAuliffe Space Center

Just in time for Halloween came the Fright Flights and the planetarium Halloween laser show. They ran all weekend.  

The Space Place at Renaissance Academy

Flightmares on the Starship Voyager ran for the past two weekends.

October meant Flightmares at Renaissance Academy's The Space Place.  Bracken Funk, Megan Warner, and their crew of merry Renaissance Voyager Club members put together another one of Bracken's famous "Oops I've had an accident in my pants" missions for those who can't repeat "this is only a mission, this is only a mission," and believe it.  

Megan and some of The Space Place's Volunteers Prep for Saturday's Flightmares 

Our Friends at Mission.io

I did all day teacher trainings in Vegas. One school at a time. One faculty meeting at a time. Little by little we keep growing this thing. Most of the founding team is on the road this week promoting Mission.io in Florida, Nevada and Michigan. Next week is Wyoming for me. Give it five years and everyone in K12 education will know Mission.io.

Casey Voeks

The October Voyager Club Meeting

Hey, you old timers remember the early Saturday morning donut run for the overnight camps? Well, one Saturday per month the tradition continues, sort of. One Saturday every month I arrive at the Space Center early early on a Saturday morning with drink in hand and a wagon full of donuts and supplies for the monthly Voyager Club meeting. Our volunteers comprise the Voyager Club's membership.

I'm not the only one who shows up early on a Saturday when there is work to be done. Who do you think took this picture? Yep, James Porter, Space Center Director. Our motto, "There is too much to do and NO time to do it!"

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The Voyager Club's October Meeting at the Space Center. Nan Bryan Retires From the Space Center after Four Years of Dedicated Service. Imaginarium Theater

The Space Center's Voyager Club met for its monthly meeting on October 25, 2025 in the school's faculty room.  From 8:00 - 8:30 several games of Bingo were played with lots of prizes going out to the lucky winners.  Tyler Weight, the Voyager Club's Acting Department Head called a few games. That was a first for us. He did a great job with his commanding booming voice.   

The bingo game wrapped up at 8:30 A.M. for the meeting's official start.  Eavie and Alex, the club's president and vice president, opened the meeting and introduced new club members.

           New club member Brigham was introduced to the membership

After new members were introduced, the meeting continued with two workshops and a prize raffle.  Eavie taught a workshop on theatrical makeup. Tyler taught the second of two workshops on the proper way to be a great bridge doctor during missions.  Members who completed both doctoring workshops will have a personalized medical ID badge created for them to wear when they work in the simulators as the doctor character. 

Members who took the makeup workshop will have their rank/ID cards stamped. The stamp gives them exclusive access to the Space Center's makeup kit.    

Thank you Tyler, Eavie, and Alex for your presentations and thank you to all our Voyager Club members for attending.  The next meeting will be held the last Saturday of November.  

Nan Bryan Retires from the Space Center. She Walked Away from the Falcon with a Rousing Cheer From Her Last Crew.  

                       Nan with her last Staff and Volunteers.  October 24, 2025

Nan Bryan retired from active Space Service last Friday and will be heading planetside to live the life of a civilian. Her time at the Space Center was rewarding for her and an example of a postive, Can Do, attitude for all of us at the Space Center.  

She started as a volunteer in June 2021 and worked her way up through the ranks to supervisor and then flight director.  I had the privilege of working with her during my brief tenure as a Cassini flight director a few years ago.  She was great with the volunteers and staff, and superb with the crews.  She always had a smile and a "we will get through this" no matter what was happening in the ship.  

               Nan flying the Falcon for her last mission

Nan was holding down a few jobs over the last several months while trying to go to school. She discovered one important life lesson in juggling all of these commitments - you can't do everything. Sometimes you need to move on to accomplish life goals.  

                Nan, on the Falcon, for the Last Hurrah.

The Space Center community thanks Nan for sharing her time and talents with us.  We wish her all the best for the wonderful things that she will do in the years to come.  And So Say We All!

The video below if the last few minutes of Nan's final mission on Friday evening, October 24, 2025. The video ends with a fantastic final CHEER from her crew. What a way to go out Nan!  And on a personal note to Nan, you always know where I am on a Saturday afternoon in my chair, working on my computer in the Staff Room at the Space Center. Come by for a catch up visit any time. 

Mr. Williamson 

Imaginairum Theater

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You Have Died! This Sums It Up Pretty Well. The Space Center's First Logo - What It All Meant. From the Archives: The Troubadour Before the Blog. Mr. Williamson Could Get "Focused" on the Summer Camps. The Volunteering Manual from 2017. The Imaginarium

 

You Have Died. RIP for this Young Astronaut Squadron on the Starship Voyager

     All Flight Directors, Supervisors, and Volunteers know what that means for a crew in one of our many simulators.  Bracken Funk, director of The Space Place at Renaissance Academy, snapped this photo capturing the death sign's reaction from a 3rd grade group of new Young Astronauts on the Starship Voyager.  Bless their hearts, they tried soooo hard and BANG, Bracken, Megan, and the staff and volunteers on the Voyager hit them with the consequences for their decisions and actions.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?  These Young Astronauts licked their wounds, suffered through Bracken's hideous Death Time Music torture, and returned to fight on.  

     The Space Place is well into the school year's Voyager and Young Astronaut Clubs after school program for nearly 200 students at Renaissance Academy in grades 3 to 9.  Bracken's 2025-2026 team consists of myself, Megan, and Lindsey.  We are also privileged to work alongside  our outstanding Voyager volunteers and supervisors.  

From the Archives.  A Look at the Space Center's Glorious Past in Pictures

The Space Center's First Logo and Stationary.  Circa 1990

     I had a local artist design the logo.  It looks a bit "funky" right?  To understand the logo you must understand the original mission of the first starship Voyager.  The Voyager was to be a multi-universe simulator. My goal at opening was to use the Voyager for outer space, ocean, inner body, and atomic scale missions.  You can see those mission elements in the first logo. 

Star: For outer space missions

Waves: For ocean (submarine) missions.

Atom: for inner space missions (body and atomic scale)

Flame: Represents the light of education

     That was 35 years ago this November 8.  Much has changed since then, yet the spirit of that first Space Center lives on in everything we do today.  Our mission remains what it has always been - to inspire new generations of students to look up and wonder.

     Carl Sagan once said, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."  That thought continues to motivate me. I think of it often as I walk into the Space Center and work alongside the Center's amazing staff and volunteers who carry that same sense of curiosity and purpose.  

Ad Astra!

Mr. Williamson

From the Archives. The Troubadour, Before the Blog 2007

     Before The Troubadour Blog, I put our regular newsletters to the staff and volunteers. Here is an example of one of those newsletters from July 2007 highlighting things from that summer's space camps.  Look at the missions we ran that summer 18 years ago.  You'll recognize some of them.  

Mr. Williamson Had Little Patience During Those Summer Camps As Seen In This Post.  Today's Space Center Directors Can Sympathize I'm Sure

     

     The second part of the newsletter has me unloading on the staff and volunteers about attitudes.  Looking back on what I wrote, I think I was a bit too rough but remember, I worked nearly 100 hours per week at the Space Center during those summer months.  I was always frazzled, and the staff did a good job cooperating - most of the time :)

From the Archives:  The Volunteer Manual from 2017

The Imaginarium

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