Outside of the annual SpaceFest convention it is rare to see so many astronauts in the same place at the same time.
Image: SpaeceFest
Recollections of SpaceFest V:
The ultimate party for space lovers
By Amjad P. Zaidi
“The past is prologue” as I once
heard. A once politicised and
technology based race to the
Moon has yielded innumerable
spin-off benefits and technology,
but has also served as a prologue
to many other events. The birth
and rise of the new commercial
space industry. International Space
Agency cooperation with the
construction of the International
Space Station. The rising star of
the Chinese ambitions to have a
presence in orbit and on the Moon.
And the benefits of a higher quality
life in many ways. I was reminded of
all these events in late May when I
attended Spacefest V.
Spacefest is THE convention to
go to for any “pure stripe, dyed
in the wool space enthusiast,
astronomy buff” and pretty much
anyone who is enthusiastic about
space history, exploration and STEM
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(Science, Technology, Engineering
and Maths). There have been 4
of these events held which have
attracted luminaries from the world
of science, technology, astronomy
and astronautics including some of
the legendary Apollo astronauts
Organised by the wonderful
Kim and Sally Poor of Novaspace,
Spacefest V was held in the tranquil
Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa
in Tucson, Arizona. Known as an
astronomy town, there are many
side tours to sites of interest such as
Kitt Peak Observatory, Pima Air and
Space Museum and Biosphere II.
The convention itself was held over
the 3 day Memorial Day weekend
and brought together not only
many famous luminaries but a very
special group of virtual Facebook
friends with whom I had become
acquainted over the previous
months during planning for this little
trip.
The Spacefest V weekend itself
opened with a refined VIP reception
on Thursday 23rd May, mixing with
all the attendees, and old and
new friends. Meeting one of the
Meteorite Men himself, Geoff Notkin
was a joy and a thrill to see an expat Brit pursuing his life’s dream
in Arizona so successfully. If you
haven’t already seen his excellent
series on the Discovery Channel
“Meteorite Men” do check it out.
Geoff was welcoming and fun
straight off the bat, eager and
curious to know, answering every
question with humour and detail.
A pure delight and a very British
gentleman like this author. Entry to
view a very special art exhibition
was given to appreciate the
beautiful and extraordinary space
art of such celebrated artists as Lucy
West-Binnall, Kim Poor, Pamela Lee
and Apollo XII astronaut Alan Bean
who is himself a very accomplished
www.RocketSTEM.org