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Black Tie
International Magazine - Travel-
Private Space Flights By Fiddle Viracola |
Space maidens |
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Former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Dr.
Cynthia P. Schneider and Andrew Nelson Chief
Operating Officer of XCOR |
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Tarzeno Cirkens Chairman Curacao Tourist
Boad, Nasser Hakim Minister of Economy of Curacao,
Ben Droste liet-Gen ret. Strategic
Command Commander in Chief, Royal Netherlands
Air Force |
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Astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss |
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Astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss and Space Suit |
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Astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss,
Minister of Economy of Curacao, Nasser Hakim and
Space Suit
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Astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss, Fiddle
Viracola,
Minister of Economy of Curacao, Nasser Hakim
and Space Suit man |
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Fiddle Viracola and Former Ambassador to the
Netherlands
Dr. Cynthia P. Schneider |
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Tom Sachs space-themed art exhibit” Space Program:
Mars”
comes to life at the Armory. |
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Fiddle Viracola and Space Suit |
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Andres Aquino, Betsy Schulberg, Lorraine Cancro,
Fiddle Viracola |
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Private Space
Flights |
Story
and photos by FIDDLE VIRACOLA
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I ran up a hill barefoot to lie in wet, green grass
and look at clouds. Faces
with fleecy big noses, Botticelli angels; and white
cumulous baskets, eased by.
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My childhood imagination stretched to the blue with
no beginning and no end. I ached to be up
there. Well, now
I can. |
The Park Avenue Armory was in flight, not only
with Tom Sachs Space themed art exhibit SPACE
PROGRAM MARS: backdrop, but with NASA ending its
programs, private space flight time has arrived. The
Armory’s packed, invited gathering, listened with awe
and wonder. Those at the space helm include:
XCOR AEROPSPACE, CEO is Jeff Greason. Chief
Operating Officer Andrew Nelson is sales agent for
space tourism on the Lynx rocket propelled
suborbital flights.
SXC: SPACE EXPEDITION CORPORATION team: Michael
Mol-CEO; Ben Droste-Startegic Command; Harry Hulten-COO;
Marten Elshove-legal finance.
General sales agent GSA.
This pinnacle life event for the participant “Will
launch in Curacao,” the Minister of the Economy
Nasser Hakim stated adding with great pride
Curacao’s Caribbean tourist treats.
Astronaut Col. Rick Searfoss, former NASA Shuttle Commander and
pilot talked from experience.. Being a
consultant and professional speaker made the
presentation clearer and heartfelt.
If
18 to 84 years young and if you can easily climb
aboard the LYNX, you’ll view what only 500
people have ever seen. Leaving from Curacao with Col
Rick Searfoss guiding, you’ll first go through the
G-force thrust.
Then the freedom phase follows. His four day
training program requires an additional two day
briefing, pre-take-off. Then you’ll be flying in the
co-pilot seat with a real astronaut to the edge of
space. WOW!
What a spectacular evening. All felt like those who
first saw airline passenger travel begin years ago.
Now, we’re stepping into space history’s daring new
chapter.
A large
reception followed with curious conversation in
every corner.
Stellar couturier Andres Aquino eyed the required
pressure suits design.
Dr. Cynthia Schneider, former U.S. Ambassador to the
Netherlands, member of Brooking Institute and
Georgetown Professor, shared thoughts with
XCOR’S COO Andrew Nelson. Lorraine Cancro, the
incredible director of The Global Stress Initiative
held court. Betsy (Mrs. Budd) Schulberg
was ‘a face in the crowd.’ And on and on…..
“My
mind’s sky is very rich. In meditation one sees so
much,” a friend said after “Namaste.” “My inner
travel doesn’t cost $95,000.”
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"But," I answered "you can't feel weightless." |
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