One Big SimNASA Weekend

The past weekend proved busy, but successful - due to the resulting crew change at SkyLab.The weekend began with the recovery of SkyLab II. CDR. Brad Hodges, CSM Keith Watt, and SP Drew Hosick splashed down approximately 70 miles from Hawaii on May 3. A SimNASA HH-65 helicopter retreived the returning crew from the floating capsule and delivered them to Hickum Air Force Base. The crew then flew in comfort and style aboard the premier luxury aircraft: SimNASA's Falcon 50, callsign NASA1, enroute to JSC. Skylab II marks a historic milestone in virtual space history, with a duration of over 1007 hours in space. Cdr. Hodges, upon being pulled into the helo, stated to awaiting reporters, "Our thanks go to the many who have participated in this mission." Enduring long work hours and an alarming sickness, the crew was able to accomplish all of its scientific and other research goals.However, the weekend was not yet over. The launch of the SkyLab III crew from the Kennedy Space Center occured May 4. The Saturn 1B rocket catapulted itself skyward "smoothly and with no anomalies" according to CDR. Veinot. CDR. Veinot, along with CSM Troy Wild, and SP K.S. Weber, kept the mission properly aligned with three correction burns to accurately time the rendezvous of their capsule to the virtual space station. Mission Control and the SkyLab III crew have been reviewing telemetry data and predict the Phase Burn Alpha will occur at 2228UT, with the rendezvous occuring 95 minutes later. The crew is reportedly anxious to dock so that the heavy load of scientific missions may commence. In one of the first orbital press breifings, Cdr. Veinot remarked, "The crew would like to thank the many people involved both directly today, and behind the lines with preparations to the mission, gathering of intelligence, etc. Without you, we would not be here."Deputy Administrator Chuck Boudreaux addressed all of SimNASA: "I want to thank everyone who participated in the Launch and Recovery Operations for their dedication and professional performance." It should be noted that much of the success this weekend was also due to the newest Mission Control Team Leaders: Preston Bartlett, and Khalil Syed.