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International Peace Star Update (as of September 2003)

First, Mr. Korey Kline, chief engineer at Environmental Aeroscience Corp., contacted us. He was very interested in our project and requested an extensive package of information. EAC, located in Miami, Florida, designs and builds advanced hybrid rocket engines. Kline was intrigued by the idea of a Peace Star balloon, modeled after NASA’s “Echo” project, and agreed to put a Peace Star capsule on one of his hybrid test rockets, free of charge! Routine test launches are performed by EAC to measure engine performance and collect various test data. Often these test rockets can accommodate a small payload without disrupting the tests being performed. Next, we contacted Don Piccard, a famous retired balloonist known for setting numerous world records. During a conversation with Mr. Piccard, he told us he was familiar with NASA’s Echo and enthusiastically recommended his friend, Mr. Steve Smith, to help us with our project. Steve Smith, chief engineer at NASA’s Wallops Island launch facility, is a nationally recognized expert in the scientific balloon field. Steve said he is familiar with NASA’s Echo program and he really liked the idea of the Peace Star Project. Mr. Smith gave us many ideas and referred us to a personal friend, Mr. Loren Seely, at Raven Industries. Loren Seely is the plant manager at Raven Industries Sulfur Springs, Texas balloon design and manufacturing facility. Raven is one of the two leading scientific balloon manufacturers in the world. During an energized brainstorming conversation, we mentioned the search for a large balloon, and he quickly referred us to Mr. Michael Smith. Mr. Smith, also with Raven Industries, talked to us about our project. Raven Industries manufactures many types of balloons and is recognized worldwide as experts in this field. After brainstorming with him, we came to the conclusion that a sub-orbital launch to a height of approximately 140,000 feet would greatly decrease the cost and complexity. We decided to explore the possibility of a demonstration balloon without a rocket to draw attention to the Peace Star Project. The goal is to gain exposure for the Peace Star Project and gather interest for ultimately launching a Peace Star balloon into orbit. We also came up with the idea of mounting an analog camera package to the balloon to broadcast a continuous video feed of the earth as it passes below. The analog signal could be picked up by people on the ground as the Peace Star passes overhead. In addition, these broadcast images could be directed to our new International Peace Star website, via the internet. HAM operators may be used to relay signals and track the balloon as it travels. Mr. Smith had a conversation with a friend Bill Brown, a leading expert in balloon mounted video/audio technology. Mr. Smith informed us that Bill Brown has camera technology “on the shelf” and immediately available for the project. Mr. Brown also had the idea of putting a flash memory chip transmitter on the Peace Star that could broadcast a continuous audio message from the Peace Star to people on the ground as the balloon passes over the Earth. Mr. Brown is “on board” and willing to help launch a demonstration balloon. Finally, Sharon Oleniczak at BBK Studio is fine-tuning our presentation and in addition we are setting up a new Peace Star store on our website. Soon, items will be for sale, with profits going toward supporting our project. Please remember: Angie and I have never taken salaries, and along with generous donations of talent by others, have covered all the costs associated with this project to date. It has been a challenge. We are committed to never taking personal compensation for our efforts to make the Peace Star a reality.

 Jon and Angie Maxey