The Music of John Williams, A New Laser Show at the Space Center's Planetarium. Magellan and Cassini Run Test Missions Last Week. Imaginairum Theater

 The Christa McAuliffe Space Center's Newest Planetarium Laser Show:  John Williams!

     This laser show is for all you John Williams fans out there.  Come to the Space Center's planetarium to hear your favorite movie soundtracks on the planetarium's sound system and enjoy the laser show and the fog!   

     The planetarium provides a large part of the Space Center's yearly operating budget. By attending a show, you support the Space Center and our continuing mission to educate the public on the wonders of space and the future of space travel.  

Two Test Missions were Held This Week

The Magellan, Testing a New Bridge Thorium Configuration.

      Thursday evening, the Magellan ran a test mission. Typically, test missions are the first tellings of new missions; think of them as dress rehearsals.  The Magellan did something different. The staff told an existing story, but tested a new Thorium ship controls configuration.  Connor Larsen explained that too much was happening at too many stations, and the crews were missing essential story elements.  The new Thorium configuration is designed to reduce the station's "busy" work to see if less work will result in better story understanding and participation.  The "test" crew comprised Voyager Club members from The Space Center and The Space Place at Renaissance Academy. 

The Cassini.  "Song of Stone". 

     Hyrum Sasser wrote "Song of Stone" for the Cassini.  It is a 2.5 hour mission and was told for the first time on Saturday.  The test crew consisted of Voyager Club members from The Space Center and The Space Place at Renaissance Academy. Bracken Funk manned the sensors station. He is the Director of the The Space Place.  

     The Control Room was a busy place. Everyone was focused on telling the story while working out the bugs as they popped up.  Jade Hansen took detailed notes on the mission for staff review afterwards. 

     Song of Stone is Hyrum's first mission. Will it be a hit :) or a dud :(  I've written my share of both in my 35 years of space centering. All I know is that everyone had a good time.  The mission will be told again once the staff fixes bugs and polishes the story points that need editing.  

     All new missions need at least a few dress rehearsals before being offered to the public. 

I look forward to seeing the polished story. 

The Imaginairum Theater

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