September 6, 2014 - TODAY IS THE DAY!   Be part of the annual historical celebration.  Check out this article by Leonard David of Air & Space Magazine: When Sputnik Crashed in Wisconsin.

Check This Out!

Possibly the one of the earliest official government documents related to the Sputnik crash in Manitowoc on September 5, 1962.  Courtesy of the Leonard David collection/Sputnik V Documents.  Mr. David, proprietor of the website Space.com, which has featured Sputnikfest related stories in the past, graciously provided a scan of a telegram date-stamped September 6, 1962.  The telegram, from the State Department to the US Embassy in Moscow, suggests a possible response to "press inquiries or requests by the Soviets for return of fragment."  Thanks, David!  

Exclusive Preview!  Sneak Preview of Custom Artwork
Created for Sputnikfest 2014 by Steve Baughman of Spindrift Art.  Steve will be at Sputnikfest this year with his unique style of space-themed art. 

Steve says he created this piece just because he "thought it'd be fun for the festival" and says he is "counting down the days" until Sputnikfest. 

Are you?  

See in Manitowoc on September 6, 2014.  Be there or be ... not Spuntik-ey!

SPUTNIKFEST 2014 ... It's less than three months away now!

If you visit Manitowoc for Sputnikfest this year, you may notice a change to the downtown cityscape.  The Mirro Aluminum manufacturing facility on Washington Street, idled in 2003, is coming down. 

Mirro had a proud history in Manitowoc - manufacturing aluminum goods since 1909.  In 1958, only a year after Sputnik 1 made history - Mirro debuted its Mirro Medallion line of futuristic styled aluminum giftware.  

The Mirro Medallion line is now recognized for its mid-century modern design elements and prized by collectors.  The line of aluminum housewares was intended as high-end giftware and was a bit pricey for its time - the various pieces sold for between $8.00 and $22.00.  There was some price resistance by consumers and by 1960 Mirro stopped production.  

Given the limited production window of only two years - the Mirro Medallion pieces are hard to come by today.   The "atomic starburst" emblem appearing on the pieces is quite distinctive and the design of the line was definitely ahead of its time.  

It is unfortunate that the "sputnik era" Mirro Medallion line "crashed" before Sputnik IV did. 

Make plans now to visit Manitowoc on September 6, 2014 for Sputnikfest - and while you are in town, check out the demolition site on Washington Street to see the birthplace of Mirro Medallion line.

Did Sputnik Kill The Tailfin?

"With seams on our nylons and fins on our cars, we dreamed of the future and looked to the stars."

So went a line in a poem composed on the occasion of the first Sputnikfest celebration. 

So whatever happened to tailfins on cars?  Several sources speculate that tailfins on cars where a casualty of Russia's Sputnik program.  While the "nifty fifties" were "a decade of confidence about economic abundance, American power, and the potential of science and technology" they were followed by the turbulent sixties "a period of rising political and social tensions, when it became clear that both American power overseas and the ability of science to solve problems had definite limits." (quoted from "Lesson 25: The Impact of the Cold War on Washington, the 1962 World's Fair")

An article from Hemmings Daily titled "Sputnik and the Death of the Tailfin" describes car design of the 1950's this way:  "towering tailfins and rocket-engine inspired taillamps; futuristic design was all the rage and chrome was everywhere."  Our cars expressed our feelings about the future.  Space was a place man was sure to be exploring - soon.  And the men doing the exploring would be Americans. 

Then came "Red Monday" and the "beep-beep-beep" heard around the world - literally ... around the world.  The Hemmings article describes this as a "sobering" event for America.  "Space was no longer a whimsical thing of people’s imaginations. Space was real and we were losing."  

The extravagance of finned car design, which found its apex in the 1959 GM Firebird III (a car that never did make it to market as a production vehicle) gave way to more conservative and "sober" car design.   

Hemmings says it is no coincidence that "pretty much every single new 1960 model year car featured either significantly smaller tailfins or none at all."

Make plans to visit Manitowoc, Wisconsin this year on September 6 for Sputnikfest.  Nothing "sobering" at all about this "extravagant" event.  At Sputnikfest space is still a "whimsical thing."  Indulge your imagination.  Celebrate the past.  Dream of the future and look to the stars.  And this year - create a cardboard Sputnik spaceship car for the First Annual Cardboard Spaceship Downhill Derby.  Don't forget to put tailfins on it!  

Planet Terry   

David Letterman announced his pending retirement this past week.  Here is a photo I found online of what he looked like as a Freshman at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis, Indiana - in 1962 - the year that the Sputnik IV space debris crash-landed in Manitowoc. 

And in honor of David Letterman, here are the -  

Top  Ten Reasons to Attend Sputnikfest 2014

10.  Lots of free children's activities.  For example, kids get to make a toy spaceship, robot, or raygun.

9.  Get up close and personal with Elvis AND Star Wars characters at the same venue.

8.  Lots of free entertainment on the main stage - watch the Alien Pet Contest and the Miss Space Debris Pageant.

7.  Enjoy great music - also on the main stage and also free.

6. See the historically accurate (sort of ... a little bit ... okay, not-so-much) re-enactment of the launch and re-entry of Sputnik IV.

5. See people (and statues) in aluminum foil hats - and Aliens.

4. Sample an out-of-this-world assortment of edible delights.

3. Shop hand-crafted artwork from local artisans or a unique assortment of Sputnikfest merchandise, including limited edition posters by Tina Kugler.

1. Have your picture taken near the brass ring that marks the Sputnik IV impact site - without having to dodge traffic.  

See you on September 6.  Planet Terry.  

In an effort to keep things new and fresh and exciting, Sputnikfest 2014 will feature some changes from prior years - hopefully all positive and all in the spirit of wacky, tacky fun.
Some Sputnikfest events will be put on hiatus, some will be changed up a bit, and there will be some entirely new events.
Gone for 2014: The Cosmic Cake Contest.  For those of you who look forward to this event each year - please find another creative outlet at Sputnikfest this year.  There are a lot of opportunities to get involved and exercise your creative talents.

NEW EVENT for 2014!  A Cardboard Spaceship Downhill Derby!  At an organizational meeting we were brainstorming ideas for new events - and realized we have a nice long downhill stretch of street, on the South side of the Sputnikfest grounds, which really has been underutilized in past events.  We decided to start a downhill derby event - kind of similar to a soapbox derby - with a "Crash Your Own Sputnik" theme.  The exact logistics and rules for the event are still being worked out and will be posted here at a later date - but this event has a lot of exciting potential and I wanted to get it out there asap to get some of you at least thinking about putting together an entry.  The entry fee will be minimal.  We are

looking for cardboard home-made spaceships on rolling human powered chassis.  Prizes will be awarded for creativity and for best downhill time - with the spaceships "soft landing" in bales of hay at the downhill end of the street.  

Keep checking back for more details on this year's Sputnikfest - and see you here in Manitowoc on September 6, 2014!  Planet Terry

Sputnikfest - Against the Odds ...

Kosmos-1220 was launched into orbit in November 1980 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which was then part of the Soviet Union - and is the same launch site for Sputnik IV (of Sputnikfest fame.)  Its mission as part of the Soviet naval missile targeting system ended in 1982. 

The Russian Defense Ministry says the satellite burned up in the atmosphere at about 17:58 Moscow time (13:58 GMT) on February 16.  Prior to the fall of the satellite, British gambling giant Ladbrokes, gave odds on likely crash sites for the satellite, for instance: 2 to 1 odds that it to land in the Pacific Ocean and 10 to 1 that it would hit Europe.  

As of right now, I am a little unsure of exactly where it did end up.  While some sources are saying the satellite burned up on re-entry, other stories are saying it crashed to earth in northern Saudi Arabia.  All this more than 50 years after Sputnik IV made landfall in Manitowoc, Wisconsin - but after all that time, in some ways - not much has changed.  Then and now, pinpointing exact trajectories of space debris re-entering the atmosphere is extremely difficult. 

A story in the April-June 1963 Civil Service Journal titled "Death of Sputnik IV: Main Street U.S.A."  describes how unlikely it is for a fragment of a falling satellite to be recovered, as "four-fifths of the earth's surface is water" and "of the one-fifth that is land, a large proportion is behind the Iron Curtain.  Then too, a large part of the Free World land is uninhabited, forested, mountainous, etc."  

Successful recovery of a satellite fragment requires first that it survive the fiery plunge through the Earth's atmosphere and then be recognized for what it was after it does impact the earth.  This nearly didn't happen with Sputnik IV - as the two Manitowoc Policemen credited with the discovery in 1964 initially believed the item to be scrap metal from a local foundry and simply moved the 20-pound chunk of metal to the curb to keep it out of traffic. 

I wonder what odds Ladbrokes would give for a satellite fragment landing in Manitowoc Wisconsin - nearly on the center line of a street running right past a musuem? 

Sputnikfest.  Defy the odds.  Join us on on September 6, 2014.  Planet Terry

SPINDRIFT SPRAY PAINT ART AT SPUTNIKFEST 2014!

Sputnikfest always features a unique assortment of vendors - and I'd like to introduce you to

someone we have lined up for this year - Spindrift Spray Paint Art by Steven Baughman.

Steven says he has been "into art since I could hold my first Crayola Crayon."   He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and has studied traditional oil/acrylic painting, drawing, art history and commercial art.  Steven has held many different positions in the commercial art arena, but says most of that stuff is done on computers these days and he enjoys “getting my hands dirty” with his current spray paint venture.

Steven still finds it "cool and amazing" that "people seem to like my

paintings" - and pay money for them!  He tries to keep his prices reasonable "none of those $700, $800, $900 paintings you might see at other art shows" - most of his stuff is in the $50-$60 range for finished matted and framed pieces.  (very cool!)

He sells unframed pieces for a little as $25, hand-painted greeting cards for $5, bookmarks for $3, and hand-painted paperweights he calls “Moon Rocks” for $5 - $8 each.  A pretty good deal considering that all his works are originals - he doesn't do any copies or prints. 

Steven enjoys painting a variety of different subjects, but admits to being "a bit of a sy-fy space geek" and being inspired by classic movies like Forbidden Planet, When Worlds Collide, Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers, The Time Machine, and War Of The Worlds.  Great stuff!  

Steven is looking forward to his first Sputnikfest.  I asked him the standard Sputnikfest interview question: "Where were you in ’62?"  He says he was a 7 year old kid living in Toledo, Ohio.   His parents tell him he was born there, but he secretly suspects he was born in California, abducted by space aliens, and transported to Toledo. 

Make plans now to check out Steven's artwork at this year's Sputnikfest - and keep checking back here for more details on this year's event!  Planet Terry

YES - Plans are underway for the Seventh Annual Sputnikfest!  Check back here in the coming weeks for details on this year's event.  The Sputnikfest event organizers have had a couple meetings already and things are starting to shape up.  And there will be some changes this year!  I'll share with you here in coming weeks just what those changes will be.  We can promise you something that won't change - this year's Sputnikfest will once again be Wacky Tacky Fun!  More details to follow - Planet Terry

Miss Space Debris, 2013

Introducing: Melody Martian, Miss Space Debris of 2013. 

Origin Story:  Melody Martian and Marvin lived together on Mars and were deeply in love, but their love, alas, was forbidden.  You see, Marvin was a Moon-tague and Melody was a Space-Capsulet and the two families were sworn enemies.  

Melody's family emigrated from Mars to Venus to avoid persecution.  And now Marvin's sole purpose in life is to  destroy earth with his Illudium PU-36 Space Modulator because it blocks his view of Venus - and of his one true love, Melody Martian.  Melody entered the Miss Space Debris competition hoping that her winning might dissuade Marvin from destroying this planet, which Melody has taken a liking to - because she enjoys Sputnikfest so much. 

Melody says she decided to enter the Miss Space Debris competition because she loves to do "spunky, weird things."  She said she watched the competition last year and decided it would be the perfect thing to get involved in!

Melody beat out another very worthy finalist, Miss Galaxy Girl!

Melody's favorite thing about Sputnikfest is seeing all the different amazing costumes and seeing what people can come up with.  Melody particularly likes seeing the Star Wars characters each year and says that of all the characters from the movies, her favorite "would have to be Jabba The Hut because every time I see him I can't help but laugh."

When Melody is not at Sputnikfest, she loves to sing and play bass - and she also likes to read, hang out with her friends, and play volleyball.  But her favorite thing on Earth is Sputnikfest.  She says it is "a very fun, and interesting festival. I think it's a wonderful event for people of all ages!"  

At right is an image of Miss Space Debris 2012 and the 2013 finalists.

Melody will be representing the Spirit of Sputnikfest at various parades and events over the next year.  

Thanks to all who participated in this contest - and who attended Sputnikfest this year - the event would not be possible without your support.  Planet Terry

Alien Pet Contest

Pets in Space?  This Discovery News article says it is possible.  Of course - as the article is talking about worms, I think these people may have too overbroad a definition of the term "pets."  

Nathaniel Szewczyk, associate professor in the Division of Clinical Physiology at The University of Nottingham is quoted as saying "Clearly worms are not people."  (That's why he's a scientist.) 

"We would love to send worms to places like Mars and/or other planets," Szewczyk said. "The key challenge ... is to convince governments and/or funding agencies that this can and should be done."  

Good luck getting funding for that.  We have a hard enough time getting sponsors for Sputnikfest - and we've got Elvis AND Vader'sFist on our side!

If they do get ready to start sending pets into space, we have some potential candidates right here.  

Contestants in this year's Alien Pet Contest included this distant cousin of a Gorn, 

a pair of Conehead Pooches, 

and this little Space Pup.  (oh yeah, he looks real happy to be here)  And when the pets take over the world, you know they are going to get even with us for this!  Thanks for checking back in.  And see you - and next year's Alien Pet contestants - at Sputnikfest 2014!  Planet Terry

The Astro Babes - and Operation Moonwatch

When the Russians launched their Sputniks - astronomers, both professional and amateur - turned their eyes to the skies.  An initiative called "Operation Moonwatch" - organized by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory - had its roots in the Cold War's Ground Observer Corps and the Civil Air Patrol.  

Amateur astronomers world-wide turned their scopes to the night skies to assist the professionals who were tracking the Soviet satellites.  

Members of the Moonwatch team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin observed and kept notes on

the re-entry of Sputnik 4 on the evening of September 4, 1962.

You can access a document detailing those events here.

The Moonwatch people prepared the above map showing the trajectory of the "last 100 miles" of the falling satellite.

It is quite appropriate, then, that another team of amateur astronomers - the Astro Babes - set up their equipment at this year's Sputnikfest only a few short steps away from the Sputnik 4 impact site.

Lynn and Amy (Real Women, Real Astronomy) and their Astronomical Entourage gave demonstrations of various equipment capable of daytime viewing.  

They are considering bringing additional scopes next year and sticking around for night sky observations!  Thanks Lynn and Amy - hope to see you, and anyone else with an interest in astronomy or wacky tacky fun, at Sputnikfest next year!   Planet Terry

Space.com has been described as the "go-to" source for space technology news.  The website recently featured a story titled "Sputnikfest - How Wisconsin Celebrates Historic Fall of Soviet Satellite."

The history behind the event and the Soviet satellite which fell to earth in Manitowoc (the satellite is called "Kerplunknik" in the story) is recounted - along with some quotes from Greg Vadney, museum director, who says of the event "we don't take it too seriously, and we enjoy this crazy era, the 1960's, in space and social history. We keep the event simple, silly, and fun."


Here is a link to the story:
http://www.space.com/23029-sputnikfest-soviet-satellite-fall-wisconsin.html

Cosmic Cake Contest

Each year at Sputnikfest we have a Cosmic Cake Contest.  Usually the
competition sees a whole meteor shower of entries ... but this year there were only two!

So - with cash prizes available for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place - this meant choosing 1st and 2nd Place winners was a little easier.


And 3rd Prize went un-awarded!

(Note to anyone with an oven and a little imagination - be sure to enter next year!)

An entry requires a cake and a matching "mini-cake" or cupcake - made from the same recipe as the bigger cake.

This smaller cake is the one which is eaten by the judges.  It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it, right?

Before the judging the cakes are on display to the public - and may be looked at, but not touched.

Hey!  Little Girl - that means you!  Don't make me call a Storm Trooper in here!

After the judging, the cakes are auctioned for charity.

See you at Sputnikfest next year - and as long as you are coming, why not bring a cake with you?  Planet Terry

Wisconsin Garrison - 501st Legion, Vader's Fist

What has become an annual treat at Sputnikfest, was once again one of the high points of the event.  A large contingent of the Wisconsin Garrison 501st Legion/Vader's Fist ("The Star Wars People!") was in attendance.

  

A wide variety of characters were in attendance - various officers and officials of the Empire to Jawas and even Bossk, the reptilian bounty hunter.  

In the Star Wars universe, these are the bad guys, of course.  But despite the intimidating name "Vader's Fist" - these volunteers know it can be "good" to be bad.  

They invest their own money in their professional quality costumes (see a prior post on details) and these big-hearted Star Wars re-enactors ask for no payment whatsoever for themselves.  All they ask is that a donation to charity be made in their name.  

The weather for this year's event was a bit warm for the time of the year and you gotta know it was pretty warm inside of some of those costumes.  

The photo below shows a group of the Wisconsin Garrison relaxing - and cooling off - in what was a very popular feature of this year's Sputnikfest celebration - a hospitality room for event volunteers.  I did ask these folks if they minded my taking a photo of them partially out of uniform and the graciously consented.  

Some of the feedback from the Stars Wars people this year included "This is my favorite event of the year" - "I love that we are not the only ones who dress up" and "We so fit in at this event!" 

My sentiments exactly.  This is one of my favorite events, I love seeing all the people that get into the spirit of the day, and the Star Wars characters really do fit in at the event.  If you have been at Sputnikfest to celebrate the day with us, you know that.  If you haven't - but have any interest at all in space age history, Star Wars, or just Wacky Tacky Fun - you'd fit in here too.  See you next year!  Planet Terry