September 29th Chat with Eugene W. Roddenberry .

BoredTech

Eugene, ahhh we wondered what happened to you, so how is the view down there?

Well, since Hurricane Georges, things have been pretty turned up! Looking out of the Station is looking into a green glow

Rick S.

How many people are down with you?

Ed2

Have they put you through numerous tests down there, Eugene? Well, I heard the project was supposed to study the effects of environment on aging. I was wondering if they were torturing you.

BoredTech

Ed, I don't think they would be so mean.

Ed , I showed your question to one of the project diver's outside the lab and she began to choke with laughter!

everyone still there?

BoredTech

yes, sorry eating cookies and letting Ed ask the questions

Ed2

Any red shirted ensigns down there (= instant death)?

That got a good laugh down here, ED!

Cache

trying to do too many things at once, and satisfied to read replies.

BoredTech

Eugene, so what are you doing to keep busy down there?

Well Bored, I did a NASA chat this morning and had some pretty good technical problems. I then swam around the lagoon for a bit. I then enter the Science lab which is another underwater station next door. and Not this chat.

We are looking up at the setting sun and see a very pretty sparking effect through the rippling waves!

I am down here with the builder of this station, Joe Bishop.

He is witness to everything you say, and he loves it

Ed2

How deep are you?

25ft

we are going to order pizza later on!

BoredTech

hahaha I'm sure just delivering it will be interesting

Ed2

So what kind of information does NASA hope to get from these experiments?

It is pretty cool. They have a "Pelican Dry Box" that they put things in and send it down with a 40lb weight attached.

Eugene W. Roddenberry

There is a moon pool (A hole in the bottom of the station) where we go in and out

BoredTech

so is the station stationary or can you feel it moving?

Ed2

Is Pizza part of the experiment? I read the Garfield strips...astronauts getting tired of lasagna?

Funny you mention it but there was a rep here from Jim Davidson's organization (Creator of Garfield)

The Challenge mission is basically a demonstration to show people of various lifestyle and conditions, that anyone can adapt to a unique environment. We have people ranging from 14 to 95 participating ! It is primarily to show people that all the need to do it get out there and try!

You don't need to be on the cover of GQ and Fitness Magazine to do this stuff!

BoredTech, the station is tied down by turnbuckle to a 5000lb ballast weight!

Cache

that's probably a good thing,

BoredTech

they have a 14 yr. old down there? wow!

Bea

How's the weather in Florida?

The weather is hot and humid.
I've already been eaten alive by the mosquitoes!

Bea

Has to be much better than here in Canada, it's freezing in the morning!

Could everyone tell me where they are writing from? (City. State)

Bea

Burlington, Ontario ( Canada)

Ed2

San Diego, CA

Cache

Independence, KS

BoredTech

Tehachapi, California, normally in Lancaster , CA though

Bea

Ah, all these people in nice, warm places

Cache

hot in KS, I'll take some of your cool weather!

What's the weather in Ontario? I'll be back there in 2 days!

BoredTech

hahaha actually it's cloudy, windy and about 42 degrees outside so I don't know about warm!

Bea

Well, it's not very cold here right now, the morning are horribly cold, but the afternoons are incredibly cold

Well, Could I provoke you all to ask more questions about the Challenge project since they are letting me use their underwater phone lines?

WE can throw and EFC or ST question in here and there.

Bea

What are you doing down there??? (Underwater)

Cache

yes, I didn't read up very well on the project

Cache

yes, what are you doing? is what I meant

Bea

Is it any fun down there?

Bea, the Challenge Project is essentially a demonstration showing, hopefully the world, that anyone can be an aquanaut. There are people here from all walk of life, sex, physical condition...etc. They are all participating and having a great time!

BoredTech

Eugene, how long do you have to stay down there?

Ed2

Eugene, I have seen this program and the upcoming John Glenn return to space event criticized for having little (if at all) scientific value. What would your (and the NASA people with you) say to that?

Bea

Could you please define Aquanaut?

It's is fun in the sense that I tell myself, "I have been under the ocean for almost 1 hour now. And I'm talking to people all around the world." It tells me in a sense that the future is upon us. Corny, but true!

Bea

Does this have anything to do with next year's Year of the Ocean? Or was that this year?

Bea, Aquanaut is the Astronaut of the ocean. Aqua = water and naut....um....well it means something like person. Ya, that's it!

Bea

I'm kind an Aquanut

Bea, They tell me that this will have some connect to the Year of the Ocean. This underwater station is also tied to John Glenn return to space

Bea, You are definitely an Aquanut! HAHA

Bored, I am down here for an "undetermined" length of time of time.

BoredTech

i c.....

I know that did not make sense, but again other powers that be control the situation

BoredTech

Eugene, It makes since to me, I often work on time lines like that

Cache, Your too quiet, what r u doing? Underwater too?

Ed2

Have there been talks of building a lunar station based upon the underwater station?

Cache

writing at the moment, sorry. came planning to read responses, not really take active part.

Good Question ED! I will ask!

According to the Station builder next to me, that would be ideal. The ocean is a test bed for the future of Stations on the moon.

No problem Cache, just giving you a hard time!

Ed2

Neat...with the recent news of the Discovery Project's Lunar Prospector (finding water) has there been any plans for follow up projects?

These are really good questions that I am not prepared for....I will ask again!

Ed, in regards to your question I am told that so far they have heard nothing of a follow-up project. But in my partner's own terms, "The Damn well should be!"

BoredTech

Eugene, so what do you do when your not underwater or working on EFC?

Well, I live in Toronto with my FiancŽe, Kerry and my Dog Orion. (Germanshepherd/Rottwieler mix)

Ed2

Here's a question directed at the philosophies of your father More commercial ventures into space have arisen recently. This seems to be a trend which might eventually overshadow unified projects into space by NASA. Star Trek never portrayed the future of space exploration by private commercialism. Furthermore, the recent Discovery projects which are supposed to be "cheaper, faster, better" seem to rule out things like a Mars mission, or deep space exploration. What are your thoughts on this?

I go to LA where my original home is and visit with friends and family.

Ed, you do have a good question!

Well, I imagine ST was much further in the future after private enterprise had enter space. There are even a few should that deal with individuals and businesses that are in space but.... I am in full support of other "companies" entering the space program. I also have mixed feeling on the Cheaper faster. Although the main idea behind Cheaper faster is to get the ISS (International Space Station) up and running which is going to be a major advance in the Human space endeavor.

Ed2

Even if there focus is the exploitation of resources and nothing else?

Bea

Well, the space industry needs to make back some money after all that spending, I mean it was billions of dollars spent during the Apollo program and now there's still lots being spent on space missions, but where is all this money coming from?

It is difficult to weight the pluses & minuses of what is being done today against the potentials of the future. It is never a black and white issue, is it?

Bea, I would guess Taxes? No?

Bea

Well, The U.S. has such low taxes!

Bea

Wait, there's the IRS, nevermind

Good Call Bea!

BoredTech

Low taxes? you think 22% of your paycheck going to taxes is low?

Bea

Well, here, if you make over 60 grand a year the taxes are 50%!!!

Just to let you al know I'm going to have to split at 6:30 and swim over to the other underwater station for the remainder of my time. There are no phone lines over there. (FYI)

Ed2

I wouldn't call getting taxed more than W.W.II, "low" taxes

I believe it is similar here!

Bea

US has lower taxes than Canada!!!!!

Well, I'm not that knowledgeable on international Tax politics so i do not really know.

BoredTech

Bea, 'what's the tax rate there?

Ed2

Yes, we have lower taxes than Canada...but they are still too high

Bea

I know that there's the 7% Goods and Service Tax and here in Ontario there's the 8% Provincial Sales Tax

Bea

Then there's the taxes on your pay and everything else

Bea

Extra tax on gas

Bea

It's really annoying

BoredTech

what's the tax you pay on everything you buy?

Bea

GST and PST (15%)

Ahh, well that's nothing. Here your taxed every time you leave the Station! Water cost a lot these days!

BoredTech

15%? wow and i thought 9.25% was bad in LA

Well, Did you all know that James Cameron was here a few days ago?

He watched "The Abyss" while in the Station.

Ed2

I heard, but I wasn't online.

There were a few other Celebrities that were scheduled but had to cancel due to Georges.

Bea

$#(*$# Hurricane

Ed2

I read that Kate Mulgrew was supposed to be there.

Bea

She was, She had a chat too, on Saturday, I think

She was going to come but Georges messed up her schedule. She could only change her schedule so much.

Bea

What's the age of the youngest person in the program?

Rosalyn Grymes' Daughter is 14.

Bea

Cool

Ed2

Will the current Russian economic crisis affect the International Space Station? I heard they were supposed to launch the first 2 modules.

I believe the Oldest person is 95. Ed Ball of Ball Aviation. He is also a Pilot!

Bea

Nothing like being a pilot!

BoredTech

Eugene, so what do they have the kids doing so they don't drive everyone nuts?

Ed, apparently it's affecting the ISS already. To what degree is anybody's guess. WE, the US, are taking on more of the cost to compensate.

We actually do not have many kids here. They are being taken care of.

Well, Guys I actually need to start wrapping things up now. We are packing up to go over to the other station.

Bea

It was nice to see you here!

Bea

Are you going to be back anytime soon?

Ya, I had a lot of fun. We will post this chat and it will also be on the Challenge page.

I will schedule another chat very soon. I had a great time!

Bea

Do you have an email address for anyone to contact you?

taelon@aol.com

Bea

Thanx

Take care everyone. Signing off!

BoredTech

Have a good time Eugene

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