I created a multi-media presentation after returning home from observing the first shuttle mission. Audio, video, photography.

For the following 12 months, I spent almost nothing on groceries. I did so many presentations for Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, schools, and other organizations I lived that year on ‘free’ lunches and dinners.

That was an accomplishment.

I read your comment earlier this morning and it has been bugging me every since.

None of what I described should be a reason for envy. Everything that I described was made possible by people way more capable than me. People with special talents I’ve never possessed (I’m not dumb, I have accomplished many things in my life; it amazes me that I could actually do such things: I have my own *cough* ‘impressive’ talent stack). I was just fortunate to be in a lot of the right places at exactly the right times to have new experiences I never thought I would ever have.

I just tried to get to them.

Blair Ivey: Yes. This is an actual, operational, flight worthy engine, though the full nozzle is not attached.

They told me this was serial number 50. They plan a static fire test in the very near future, linked to Phantom’s fueling system and test tanks.

Edward: Cantrell told me that they are aiming for a price of $4 million per launch.

Robert,
Clicking through your links, I found:

Phantom Space is developing its Daytona rocket as a small-lift booster, using seven Hadley engines in its first stage to lift up to 450 kg to low Earth orbit. A single, vacuum-optimized Hadley engine will power the upper stage. Phantom says it is booking launches for 2023.

( https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/03/ursa-major-says-its-hadley-engine-supports-vertical-launch-and-hypersonic-uses/ )
Does Phantom Space have a targeted price point that they are willing to announce?

It looks like Cantrell is also doing rapid development in order to get to orbit inside the next two years. I think rapid development is a competitive advantage.

Periodically we would be assembled in the classroom to watch a black & white television on a rolling stand to witness a project Mercury or Gemini launch or splashdown.

I made it home from a dune buggy excursion just in time to witness the Apollo 11 moon walk real time.

I was present at JPL (saw Clyde Tombaugh exit the commissary) in ’79, I think it was, for the Voyager II Saturn encounter. Watched Jules Bergman go ballistic because someone was sitting in his assigned seat.

I was at Kennedy Space Center to witness/document the first space shuttle launch, and then at Edward’s AFB for the landing.

I’ve held a moon rock and a supposed Mars rock.

My life seems to be a continuing parade of space-related never-done-before stuff.

SpaceX and all the other space rocket/satellite start-ups are every bit as exciting..

What a life.