Justin Lassen invited to launch a payload to space with ASAN space group!

 

This isn’t a galaxy far far away… I recently went to the optometrist and had my eyes scanned. The doctor said I have unusually very healthy eyes! Cool! I think it’s so cool that our eyes look like little universes with galaxies and nebulas. Go science! Speaking of science, I was invited by ASAN to come launch a payload to space!

The Scientists that started this Aphrodite set of missions for ASAN space agency.

Working on the hardware that will be going to space!

Corps of Engineers - US Army satellite calibration! #asanspace

The satellite calibration target the device used to help track the launch! #usarmycorps #engineers #asanspace

Me, Cornelius and Cranston from #ASAN heading to the launch site this morning!

Arizona road trips, you run into this stuff.

A giant #helium tank! On our way to launch a balloon!

The payload.

Preparing the chute.

The tools and helium!

Untangling. :)

Filling the balloon!

Chasing the balloon after 3 years of flight, to find its crash site.

Found it! The agents now trek through the desert to recapture the hardware.

X-Files and Sun shot from the morning of Cranston!

It landed EXACTLY where the GPS said it would. Technology is amazing. We were far out deep into the desert.

A space capsule? or Art?

Art!

I shot most of the documentary footage from this adventure! Thanks for having me tag along to use my photography and videography skills!

Celebration after successful launch of payload to space today!!!!

We stopped by the #xerocraft #tucson #hackerspace

The item went to space and they have the footage on a separate camera, stay tuned and I’ll update this blog later when they go public with that footage!

Phoenix Has A Space Agency.

The 5 core beliefs of ASAN:

1. Everyone is always already an astronaut.

1. Outer space is open by definition, and must be democratic and accessible to all astronauts.

1. Relegating space solely to government actors and corporate interests necessarily creates false and unsustainable divides in the otherwise radically free cosmic environment.

1. The only sustainable and democratic method of exploring outer space must be rooted in a decentralized network of community-based, autonomous space agencies.

1. Space exploration without art is not worth the effort. The very existence of autonomous space agencies presupposes a will to creative independence.

Cool adventure, none-the-less! To be continued…