Frances Yeo and Nora Bailey welcomed all with warm smiles on this spring day and two-on-one ticket sales were handled by David Bear and Ric Nickelsen. The prayer and pledge were given by Robert Mills and President Jerry opened the meeting with various announcements on future meetings and programs. Ed Wonders came up to introduce our newest member, Scott Gissett.
The $85 raffle was won by Skip Furlong and Charlie Blackwell took over for sunshine introducing our military guest representing the USAF and USN. Guest of Rotarians and visiting Rotarians were also introduced and after some Red Level humor, Charlie led us in birthday song.
Eric Nickelsen introduced our program given by Ken Ford, founder and director of the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Ken gave us a presentation of their new project dealing with NASA and Lunar exploration. The biggest challenge is for the safety of the astronauts and protection from solar radiation, primarily for solar flairs. The Apollo astronauts experienced space suit trauma when riding in the lunar vehicle. The reduced gravity caused the body to be rattled around in the space suit causing injury. Also, radiation exposure was not as widely known in past flights.
The IHMC has developed a new Small Pressurized Rover Concept to house and transport the lunar visitors. By operating inside the rover without the bulky suits, they avoid injury and function better. The large protective space suits are attached outside the rover and the astronaut climbs into the suite from inside the module. Once outside, their time is limited to 10 minutes to avoid overexposure to radiation. Inside, radiation protection is provided by a water barrier compartment on top of the unit that also functions to keep the rover interior temperature cool. Two persons can operate very comfortable or four very close together. The seats move into sleeping quarters and there is also a toilet facility. The rover has an exercise feature that will function as a battery charger. Power to the independent six wheels is supplies by solar powered electricity. The next trip will be to the polar region of the moon where there is 24 hours of sunlight. Additionally, on future missions, solar collectors at mid points of the moon will be constructed and nuclear energy power is also being considered.
With the end of the space shuttle coming in 2010, Florida will see a reduction of several thousand NASA workers and contractors. The future flights will be with single mission rocket delivery systems. Because of environmental issues, launches might move to other countries. But the future for Florida NASA workers and contractors is higher paying technical jobs.
Meeting adjourned.
Somewhere Hal Major has a new interest, as one of the startup backers of a new commercial bank.
Some of our members’ firms really date back. Bill Elebash’s jewelry establishment opened here in 1919...BUT..its predecessor was open more than 20 years earlier. AND, John Phelps’ operation dates from about 1900. David Bear’s ancestor began his work in 1876.
Charles Gund is a financial consultant to The Fellows Fund which provides loans for medical, nursing and clerical education. Roger Vinson is the chairman.
Handsel Butts – April 8 – born in Natchez, MS, in Rotary 45 years
Mark Tuzo – April 11 – San Diego, CA, 22 years
Dick Dickerson – April 11 – Oxford, NC, 40 years
Clif Payne – April 12 – Pensacola, FL, 16 years
Ed Wonders – April 13 – Newton, KS, 6 years
Henry Roberts – April 14 – Selma, AL, 2 year
The Ethics in Business Award will be presented on Monday, May 5, 2008 at our Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola luncheon at New World Landing.