As children we have all dreamed of flying into space and touching the stars. I believe a little bit of that dream comes true every time we leave the earth in our hot air balloons. Little did I know that someday I would have the honor to be recognized as one of those who would reach for the stars.
Last April, Allan Schlenker of Aerostar International, called about a new exhibit at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The exhibit would feature the balloonists who first ventured into the upper stratosphere, along with present day balloonists that dared to dream of higher flight. The balloon Features that I flew for my altitude record (Balloon Life, October 1994) would be included in the exhibit along with flight suits, helmets, gondolas, capsules, and other artifacts from balloon aviation history. I felt honored that I would be included with a group of pilots like Joe Kittinger, the Piccards, Julian Nott would also be speaking, Steve Lombardi would be doing indoor balloon demonstrations, and Craig Ryan, author of The Pre-Astronauts (Balloon Life, August 1995) would be on hand to sign books.
Saturday morning, May 25, my husband Rob, my father Herb Miller, and myself, met Bill Murtorff and Phil Booth in the hotel lobby and we were on our way to NASA. Arriving at the Space Center, we found Steve Lombardi and all his crew. They had just completed a successful press flight that morning and were preparing for a full day of demonstrations for the Grand Opening.
The entire lobby of the Space Center had become a balloon museum, with artifacts from the 1930’s through the early 60’s and onto the flights of today. A model of the Manhigh III capsule, early flight suits, rare footage of Joe Kittinger’s high altitude parachute jump, Julian Nott’s high altitude gondola, and the gondola of the Strato-Lab IV were just a taste of the collection of ballooning history gathered under this one roof. Finding the basket from Feathers on display with all these historic pieces of our aviation past was a special moment for me. In addition to these items there was a Cameron basket cut open so people could step inside and try the burners (rigged for sound only), and compliments of Aerostar Industries, an eight foot tall balloon that traveled 55 feet in the air demonstrating lift and what actually makes a hot air balloon rise.
Julian Nott gave the opening speech at 11:00 a.m. in the Control Room at the Space Center. He shared a wealth of information from his past flights and teased us with tidbits about his upcoming “Around The World” attempt. We spent the early afternoon touring the exhibit, and discovering wonderful facts from the recent past of ballooning, as we saw firsthand the actual photos and equipment from these history making flights. Throughout the afternoon Steve Lombardi gave several balloon demonstrations with a small remote controlled balloon and also inflated a 30 foot tall balloon. Craig Ryan was signing books, including one for me (an early birthday present from my Dad).
At 3:00 p.m., it was time for my speech in the IMAX theater. What an honor to be the introduction to the movie To Fly, the classic film on flight from the Air & Space Museum. As I looked into the crowd, I could see Rob, Bill, Phil, Steve and all his crew. But most special was my Daddy. He had never heard me speak to an audience before and having him there was very special. After giving my speech and fielding questions, we all watched the film, and then moved out to the exhibit areas to answer more questions. The most rewarding moment of the day was answering questions, signing autographs and taking pictures with the young people and children who are the future of our sport. I believe in spending as much time as needed to encourage these future aviators.
If you have the chance, head to Houston this summer anytime through Labor Day and catch this wonderful exhibit. As balloonists we need to send a big Thank You to Space Center Houston for hosting this informative exhibit and creating new interest in our sport by exposing thousands to the joy and adventure of Ballooning.
