Virgin Galactic Crash

 Many people emailed me about the Space Ship Two crash on Friday October 31st, I wanted to take time and think about about it before I had a response.  First and foremost my heart goes out families of both pilots, and the entire Virgin Galactic team.  Since I have become a member of the "Future Astronaut Community" we have all gotten to know many of the dedicated people that work on the various aspects of the program and share the excitement of the successes as well as the grief.  As I've stated in the past I believe in the Virgin Galactic mission and will remain part of the team, this is just a reminder that going to space is still a challenge and not to be taken for granted.  If this means the commercial space flights will be delayed for a few more years, that's fine, I'll be here ready to go.

Mars!

What an amazing thing to see such a clear high rez photo from another planet.

Seven Minutes In Space!

Check out a great article on KCET Art Bound by Shana Nys Dambrot.  She dropped by my studio and we chatted about being the first artist in space, robots, and other futuristic things.

The model of the White Knight II and Space Ship II was very useful in describing how the flight actually works.  Every time I tell the tale it gets me more excited for the event, which is still probably about 2 years away.  Check out the article, hopefully there will be more interesting space news as the year goes on.  The photo was taken by the ultra talented Eric Minh Swenson.

Barron's Magazine An Animation Artist In Space.

Writing is not my thing.  The blog is as close as I get, that said I was given the opportunity by Ed Finn the editor of Barron's Magazine to write a piece about my trip to space with Virgin Galactic.  I was more then happy to give it shot, but a bit daunted by the task since I am not a writer.  More then then that I find writing to be difficult, the writers I work with in my industry are so talented funny and smart I couldn't even compare what I have done to the work they do.

It helped that at the time I was laid up with a broken leg and had some time to focus on a new task.   Also I created an illustration to go with the piece.  From a pencil sketch and finished in digital using the same techniques that I use with acrylic paints.  Pick up the latest issue or read it online here enjoy!

Virgin Galactic Mission Control.

While in London I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to finally meet some of the Virgin Galactic staff at Mission Control.  Gemma was there to greet me and my wife Lisa and give us the grand tour.

You can't walk more then a few feet until you run into something cool, I wanted to swipe this but it was a bit too big to hide under my jacket.

Gemma shows us the finer points of the Space Port in New Mexico.  This is just a computer rendering but it is built and spectacular.

The lens wasn't quite wide enough to fit in the whole slogan "Space Is Virgin Territory".  Along with Gemma and another amazing model of Space Ship Two.  This year will be busy for the Virgin Galactic team, hopefully more to report soon....

LET'S START 2014.

2014 is up and running.  The most exciting bit of space news was the third powered flight of Space Ship Two.  One more step closer to going to space.  I understand that VG plans on starting the commercial flights by the end of this year.   Also towards the end of last year I received this amazing model of the Knight One and Space Ship Two.  After all these years I am still such a model geek this was the perfect gift for me.

 Later this spring we are going on a trip to London, while I'm there I am excited to visit Virgin Galactic Mission Control this should be an amazing experience.   Also for those who have asked my recent broken leg should not effect my space flight at all.   Considering I'll be back to walking and completely normal activity by June that should be enough time.