You are Invited to the next Space Forum
Thursday, January 27, 2022, 9:00 to 10:15 PM EST
“Eyewitness to Launch Operations, Highlights of 2021 and What’s Ahead”
with special guests from SpaceUpclose, Jean Wright and Dr. Ken Kremer
Rocket launches are a unique blend of technology and art. Harnessing the resources to propel these massive rockets to orbital velocity and beyond is a reflection of our engineering and technological prowess. And the successful result when those engines ignite and the rocket begins its ascent is a feast for the eyes and ears. The expanding rocket plume, the flame of the exhaust and the trail of the rocket create a work of art against the sky. Then you are hit by the sound of those rocket engines and you rejoice in the fact that you have witnessed something amazing and beautiful at the same time. It is why millions of people have traveled to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral since the dawn of the space age to be part of history and to experience a launch first-hand.
For Jean Wright and Dr. Ken Kremer, being eyewitnesses to launches is a regular occurrence and they have been sharing their experiences with the general public through their amazing photographic images that convey the awe and majesty of a rocket launch. Jean and Ken are both long-time space and STEM professionals, and with their access to the launch sites, they have documented one of the most active launch years in recent memory in 2021 – via Space UpClose, their own space news website reporting on NASA & Space Exploration.
Join Jean and Ken for this informative and exciting presentation as they share their photographic record of launches. You will hear their stories and impressions as they describe the photos and along with the sights and sounds of a launch. In addition, Jean and Ken will share some of the other sights from the Kennedy Space Center, including photos of the new SLS that is getting ready for launch in 2022. You will also see photos of other missions such as LUCY and Mars Perseverance/Ingenuity mosaics. 2022 promises to be another exciting and active year for launches and Jean and Ken will update us on what is coming up. And finally, they will share some insights and hints to aid your own experiences if you decide to visit the space coast and take in a launch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jean Wright was an Aerospace Composite Tech for United Space Alliance — the prime contractor for NASA’s Space Shuttle Processing. As one of 18 women, she and her co-workers, who dubbed their group, “The Sew Sisters,” were responsible for fabrication, assembly, disassembly, installation and repair of Thermal Protection System (TPS) hardware.
Jean has been asked to present at many prestigious events and has done many media interviews. Jean is also a Docent at the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit, educating guests at the KSC Visitor Complex, and does launch support and VIP tours as needed. Jean is currently part of the media, photographing launches as a team member for the space blog, “Space UpClose.
One of the biggest thrills of her life was being asked by Mark Armstrong to cut and prepare for auction, pieces of historic fabric from the Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer that his father, Neil Armstrong, carried to the Moon! Jean sews custom face masks and apparel — space themed and otherwise — available for sale.
Dr. Ken Kremer is a research chemist, space/science journalist, photographer, speaker and founder/managing editor of the Space UpClose website reporting up close on all things related to NASA and Space Exploration. Ken is based nearby the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, FL., active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics at NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, BBC, News Nation, Spectrum, ARD, TRT, I24 and more. Dr. Kremer lectures about both human spaceflight and robotic spaceflight — specializing in Mars. Ken has over 30 years’ experience in Research and Development in the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences in academia and at Cyanamid, Wyeth and Pfizer.
Ken received his PhD from the State University of New York in Stony Brook, NY and BA from New York University in New York City, and did postdoctoral research at the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Kremer holds 17 US Patents, has over 3 dozen scientific publications, witnessed over 200 rocket launches, written over 2000 space articles and has 14 published APODs — Astronomy Pictures of the Day. Ken also has a 2-decade career in space journalism and outreach.
Ken was recently awarded NASA’s rarely given Curiosity medallion by NASA’s Chief Scientist for his science outreach efforts and Mars panoramas.
Ken’s photos and Jean’s custom space apparel are available for sale to support their ad free space news website – Space UpClose.
Register today to reserve your seat and to submit your questions.
Register no later than Jan 27 at 8 pm EST.
