Prologue
Apologies for the extended absence - summer called and we had to jump in the car and drive to the Canadian Rockies with the clan. A three-week road-and-camping trip with three fourteen-year-olds is not just a parenting job, it’s an adventure. Well, at least they were grumpy and just wanted to stay at home and play video games. On the flipside, the scenery was gorgeous, we walked on a glacier, hiked to at least one of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen, caught an eruption of Ol’ Faithful, and sat in a couple of hot springs. Oh, Canada!
In future news, “American Santa” will play at the Woodstock Film Festival on September 30, and Alexandra and I are working on a plan to release it for the holiday season. As the film makes a very strong statement against racism and bigotry, we are also starting to share it for some community and event screenings. The film’s website is now up and - fair warning - you will be asked for your support in getting the word out! If anyone is interested right now in learning more about the film, has some ideas for outreach and press, would like to bring the film to an event, or just wants to see an advance screener, please hit me up. We are definitely looking for partners to help get this movie seen.
Back in Brooklyn (and around the world) I’m on a few projects, but have room for more, in both production and post. At home, those same three teens are about to start high school. So - let’s get to work!
And now, to set it all off for another school year of fun, here is the belated season finale of “How I helped send someone to space.” I had never seen a rocket launch, and haven’t seen another since (my other missions were scrubbed) - it’s pretty remarkable.
Project: Blue Origin
Cast of Characters:
Joe - Production Manager
Sean - Director of Photography
Donny - Assistant Camera
Wally - Herself / Astronaut
Kevin - Himself / Crew Member Seven
Mark - Himself / Astronaut
Jeff - Himself / Astronaut
Oliver - Himself / Astronaut
July 19, 2021
The Penultimate Sandwich
Did I sleep? had I slept? A 3:00AM call time will wreck your head if you're not careful, but after having gone through becoming the father to triplets, I can honestly say that this ain't nothin'. Still, I'm tired and we're turning around tonight for the lead-up to First Human Flight.
This morning our astronauts braved the morning show gauntlet and came out on top. The world met Wally. After some additional capsule training, we headed out to the tower for photos and rehearsal. Quite the view. I tried to imagine what it would feel like to walk across the bridge tomorrow, and actually get into a fully fueled rocket. It gave me pause. Could I do it?
Breakfast from Wendy's also gave me pause, but my bacon-egg-and-something seemed to go down easy. Some were disappointed by the news that there were no croissants or biscuits. Donny, halfway into his meal, suddenly looked up and said "is this a burger?" before switching to a nominal breakfast sandwich. I think he was looking for sausage. I was braced for a mild laxative effect. But where was Sean?
Then we barely made it through the capsule recovery briefing, with the air getting increasingly warm and the fatigue of the day settling in like a warm smothering blanket, but it's in your head, and it's a maze of incomprehensible shortcuts and backdoors. Someone mentioned a vehicle incident during the last operation... We will have a driver and navigator tomorrow.
July 20, 2021
Liftoff
We awoke in the night. Everything was in shadow, but I could see the glow of the moonlight in our faces as we packed the vehicles. And then our night became day. We rode out to LSO under the cover of darkness and proceeded to the Barn to observe the rocket being laid down, loaded, and rolled out. It was really quite amazing to see just how it's done. All the parts, all the guys working on it, all the pieces.
On the pad, we then caught the other side of the operation. The truck backed up, and then placed the vehicle on the launch pad. Under the bright lights, it looked marvelous, shimmering as nightbirds swooped around and the crew worked to hook up all the hoses, cables, and lines. The tower bridge extended to the capsule, and Sean went up to capture that work
Down below, after the truck pulled away, everything became rather silent, save for the voices of the crew and the occasional clang or bump of a tool. I breathed in the night desert air, filled with the smells of things that are old and far off. Of things that have walked and lived and died. it was dry and warm with a light breeze, like velvet, like a lion's mane. And I took note of the moths flittering around the lights. I heard a flapping and looked up - one of the red "remove before flight" tags was flapping gently against the side of the capsule, just under the tower bridge. This is going to happen, I thought.
Then we all moved to Fallback 1 and stood by for the pressure and surfaces tests. All went well until the landing gear test - one foot didn't go down all the way. After an inspection, it was determined that nothing was amiss, just a cable in the way, and everything was back to nominal. So we went to "lunch."
Sean, ever the adventurer went to BSF (the dreaded Quonset hut) for a "hot breakfast." Hard pass for me, thanks. I saw him again at the media tent whereupon he exclaimed "How do you f*** up waffles?" "Worse than Eggo, and Eggo is bottom of the barrel," he continued. Incredulous, he then doused his "hot breakfast" with syrup, so it "tastes like syrup." Meanwhile, our Wendy's breakfast was canceled due to a suspicious "emergency maintenance" event. Donny opined that the emergency might be that they ran out of food. Joe saved the day by rerouting our dining experience to Subway and I have to say that their breakfast sandwich, on a four or five-inch bun, was better than Wendy's. Now, I never go for fast food, but if I had to, this is the way I'd go for breakfast. Yes, it all tastes the same, but there was something a bit more delectable here. Probably the bun, it's the right consistency, muscular, and full of flavor. I'd say even their texture makes a person's mouth water.
After filling up, we headed to ATC for some final crew meetings. CM7 Kevin presented the challenge coins, the astronauts bagged their belongings, postcards were written, audio recorders were armed, and then we were off to Fallback 3 for the lineup.
Excitement was in the air. Families and crew alike gathered to watch the launch. Some were following along with the webcast, while others hugged and waited patiently. I'll never forget the looks on all the children's faces. Nervous, proud, excited, scared. I thought of my own sons and daughter and what they would be feeling if I were in the capsule, sitting on top of a tank of hydrogen, waiting for liftoff. Once again, it gave me pause. And then we were counting down.
The liftoff was spectacular. Truly one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in person. Seeing it on TV is nothing compared to seeing it in person, that close. The rumble of engines. The howling wind. Everything moving. The taste of fear and tension. All of the senses are screaming at once. It was like gray-green muffled thunder, the sky wrestling with itself, churning and contorting above, a dead weight rising, the air like thick porridge sliding away from the base of the rocket, the whole event magnificent in its clear energy, a sky-devil severed, the cauterized sunburst of a distant fire. It seems impossible, and yet there it went, into the heavens. Amazing.
And then we were off! Just as fast as they took off, it seemed they were coming back. I saw the capsule under main chutes as we bounced along, going off-road and then pulling up to the recovery area, just as we rehearsed. We jumped out, got into position, and then Jeff opened the hatch. They did it! Family rushed in, champagne was sprayed, tears were shed, massive hugs and gratitude by everyone - astronauts, crew, and family. Wally, Oliver, Mark, and Jeff. The Ferociter Four.
Back at the media tent, we decompressed, handed off cards, and wrapped up. It all came together. We did it!
Oh, and then I had a chicken caesar salad brought in from Sprouts in El Paso. Finally, a proper one with an intact, sliced chicken breast. And while not perfect (too cold, the dressing was meh), it was the one I needed at this special time, it was the edible mission patch for this adventure. Which is to say, it was nominal
Oblique Strategy Of The Day
“Simply a matter of work.”
All good thoughts,
Avi