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FRIDAY NIGHT ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH PARTY 
Story and Photos by Bette and Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_2172 William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 addresses group.

The final liftoff of Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-134 from the Kennedy Space Center will have to wait. The launch was postponed by NASA on Friday, due to heater problems. The new launch time pushed to May 10 at the earliest. 

However the Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria Friday April 29, became a chance to preview the Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-134, hosted by STS-67 Endeavour Pilot William G. Gregory--a benefit for Challenger Space Center’s science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Mr. Gregory, who currently works for Valley aerospace company Qwaltec, gave a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an astronaut, to launch aboard a space shuttle, and to fly in space traveling more than 17,000 mph. 

During his half-hour presentation, he used video footage of his launch, STS-67, to give attendees a glimpse inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the astronauts worked and even managed to find time to have a little fun. Mr. Gregory’s successful astronomical research mission launched the Astro 2 satellite and set a new mission duration record of 16 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while completing 262 orbits and traveling nearly seven million miles. 

Mr. Gregory has flown more than 40 different types of aircraft, logged 400 hours in space, and has accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flight time.

An added pleasure was the opportunity to meet Meteorite Man, Geoff Notkin, owner of Aerolite Meteorites and co-star of the Telly Award-Winning Science Channel’s TV show “Meteorite Men.” In this reality show, Notkin, an internationally known meteorite hunter, along with co-host Steve Arnold, travel the around the world looking for meteorites.

Notkin's company, Aerolite Meteorites, LLC, provides meteorites specimens to researchers, institutions and collectors. 

In attendance were members of the Peoria city council, Vicki Panhuise, Chairman of the Arizona Aerospace & Defense Commission, Arizona State Rep. Amanda Reeve and former Secretary of Transportation under George W. Bush, Mary Peters. Opening remarks were made by U.S. Congressman Trent Franks.

 Over at The Challenger Space center they have a saying...."We never know when the next astronaut will walk through our doors."

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_2849.

The setting for Friday's event at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria at the Endeavour Launch Party on Friday, April 29, 2011.

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Peoria Conuncilmember Tony Rivero, Acacia District, was in attendance at Friday's Launch Party in Peoria.

 
Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2934.

Also attending Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center was Peoria Councilmember Joan Evans, Willow District.

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Kari Sliva, Challenger Space Center, and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67.

                                                         

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DCS_3024.    

Toni and Nick Jourdan and Jack Frisk (Nick's grandfather) hold autographed photographs of astronaut William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67's  photograph.

Betty Eklund and Florence Froland setup and monitor the silent auction during the fund raiser.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2904.  

A.K.A. 34 team members with their families at Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria.  Team A.K.A. 34 is leaving for a VIP trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  A.K.A. 34 won the 12th Annual Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge earlier this year.  The challenge is for students in grades fifth to eighth and requires them to construct an International Lunar Base with a physical scale model.  The students are from Coyote Hills Elementary School in Peoria.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3005.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation under the G. W. Bush, Mary Peters (far right) stops to talk with Toni and Nick Jourdan during the meet-n-greet and  autograph segment of Friday's Launch Party.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3097

On Display!  William G. Gregory, Pilot,  points to is his Endeavour STS-67 1995 crew group photo on display at the Challenger Space Center. 

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Deb Jones teacher/coach for  Honeywell Fiesta Bowl space 12th Annual Aerospace Challenge winning team "A.K.A 34" and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 at Friday's Launch Party at the Challenger Space Center.

 
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2279.

Kari Sliva, Challenger Space Center, and William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67.
Matching  funds were graciously contributed by  audience members to assist  some children to attend space camp this summer!

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2162.

William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67 took  many questions from a fascinated audience at the event.
During his half-hour presentation, he used video footage of his launch, STS-67, to give attendees a glimpse inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour as the astronauts worked and even managed to find time to have a little fun. Mr. Gregory’s successful astronomical research mission launched the Astro 2 satellite and set a new mission duration record of 16 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while completing 262 orbits and traveling nearly seven million miles. 

 
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2233.

Katie Hurley, Annie Hurley (center) and Allyson McClellan of Coyote Hills Elementary won the 2011 Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge, with their entry A.K.A. 34.  The three girls and their teacher/coach are getting ready for a VIP trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  Congratulations!!!  Each student gave an abbreviated statement about their winning project.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_2003.

Teacher/coach Deb Jones, Annie Hurley, Allyson McClellan, and Katie Hurley stand by their winning science display.

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Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC_3063.

Meteorite Man, Geoff Notkin, and astronaut William G. Gregory, Pilot, Endeavour STS-67. at Friday's Challenger Space Center Launch Party.  Mr. Notkin, on behalf of his company, Aerolite Meteorites, LLC made a substantial donation of meteorites to the Peoria's Challenger Space Center.  Among the donated meteorites was a large Campo del Cielo iron meteorite from Argentina that weighs 19.4 pounds. Notkin also donated an actual meteorite to the event’s silent auction -- a Yelland Dry Lake Stone meteorite (H4 chondrite) 57.6 gram fragment, found by Geoff while filming “The Dry Lake Bed” Episode 5, Season One.

Kari Sliva, Director, Challenger Space Center is interviews after the even by Eric at Peoria Cable 11

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PREVIEW the Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-134, hosted by STS-67 Endeavour Pilot William G. Gregory--a benefit for Challenger Space Center’s science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Notkin's many donations to the Space Challenger Center' permanent collection in Peoria Friday included a large Campo del Cielo iron meteorite found in Argentina and weighs 19.4 pounds. 

In addition, Geoff Notkin also donated an actual meteorite to the event’s silent auction -- a Yelland Dry Lake Stone meteorite (H4 chondrite) 57.6 gram fragment, found by Geoff while filming “The Dry Lake Bed” Episode 5, Season One.