December 17, 2018 By Radio Iowa Contributor NASA photo of Apollo 8 launch. The pioneering work done in the 1960s by employees of what was then Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids is the subject of a documentary premiering this week. “Moon Talk” tells the story of the technology developed at Collins that enabled astronauts aboard the Apollo 8 Moon mission to speak with Mission Control. Retired systems engineer Steve Tyson says the company’s contributions were critical. “Collins Radio had the complete responsibility for all of the communications, both between the Earth and the spacecraft, as well as around the Earth,” Tyson says. “We had to have stations scattered, about 35 sites around the world, to be able to create a link with the astronauts at all times.” Apollo 8 launched 50 years ago this week — on December 21st of 1968. It became the first manned space flight to leave Earth’s orbit. Astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill … [Read more...] about Documentary chronicles work of Cedar Rapids company on Apollo mission space communications
Mission space
Epcot’s new space themed restaurant is a lot more high-tech than we first realized
click to enlarge Ahead of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration, more than half a dozen new restaurants are in development across the resort, including one that sits on top of a lake, two rooftop restaurants, and a cantina within the upcoming Star Wars land. But arguably one of the most anticipated restaurants is Epcot’s space new restaurant. Operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, the same company behind Epcot’s Tutto Italia and Via Napoli restaurants, the new space-themed restaurant will offer simulated views into space with diners sitting in a spaceship themed dining room. Disney has confirmed that the new restaurant will be located between Mission: Space and Test Track, but the company has given few details on what exactly diners can expect. As previously reported, the dining room is believed to have two levels with 376 seats that diners access via "shuttles" similar to the Hydrolators that The Living Seas pavilion previously had. Back in May, … [Read more...] about Epcot’s new space themed restaurant is a lot more high-tech than we first realized
New details leaked on Disney’s bold new space-themed restaurant
click to enlarge Earlier this month, Disney confirmed new details on the upcoming space-themed restaurant heading to Epcot. Located between Mission: Space and Test Track near an area formerly used for Mission: Space FastPass distribution, the Patina Restaurant Group operated sit-down restaurant, which is currently unnamed, will be themed to a space station with large "windows" looking out to space and the earth below. Since then, various rumored details on the new restaurant have begun to leak out, most notably on the WDW News Today site. According to the rumors, Disney is looking to hearken back to old-school Epcot with the new restaurant. Guests will check in at a small waiting area before boarding one of two "shuttles" to take them to the dining room. These "shuttles" will be similar to the Hydrolators that The Living Seas pavilion used to feature. Video screens, similar to those found in the elevators during the queue of Universal’s Harry Potter and the Escape from … [Read more...] about New details leaked on Disney’s bold new space-themed restaurant
Location of Epcot’s space restaurant revealed
ORLANDO, Fla. -- In case you haven’t heard, a space-themed restaurant is coming to Disney World’s Epcot. Epcot getting a space-themed restaurant It will be built between Mission: Space and Test Track Official opening date not revealed The project was officially announced at last year's D23 Expo. The restaurant will offer guests "spectacular views" of space, according to Disney. "We know our guests love dining at Epcot -- and the restaurants really are out of this world," Walt Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald said at the time. "Now we're about to create one that takes that literally." On Wednesday, Disney revealed the location of the new restaurant. It will be built in a newly-developed area between Mission: Space and Test Track, according to a post on the Disney Parks Blog. An opening date was not shared. The new restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, which has several restaurants at Disney World such as Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs and Via … [Read more...] about Location of Epcot’s space restaurant revealed
Disney shares details on new Epcot space-themed eatery
Disney World will open a new Space-themed restaurant at Epcot and has finally given a location for the out-of-this-world eatery.The unnamed restaurant will locate between the Mission: Space and Test Track attractions. According to the Disney Parks Blog, it will be located in a “newly developed area.”An opening date for the restaurant has not been released. The concept plan for the table-service restaurant was originally released in July 2017.It will also be operated by the Patina Group, which is growing in favor with Disney after opening several restaurants at Epcot and Disney Springs, including Morimoto Asia and Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante.According to Disney Parks blog, the restaurant will offer “amazing meals with a spectacular view — from high above the Earth.” A previously released concept rendering of the restaurant shows a circular dining room orbiting the planet and an astronaut floating outside.Got a news tip? [email protected] or … [Read more...] about Disney shares details on new Epcot space-themed eatery