This week, we are featuring Cooperative Exploration - the largest family team in the GSBC with children and cousins and brothers and sisters all working on various parts of the balloon together. Here is an interview with team leader, Ben Collins: Q: Please Introduce Yourself Im (Ben) the one writing this, and I can only speak for myself. Others may have experienced this differently. If at times this seems overly dramatic, it is because this means a great deal to me. I realize our experience did not change the world, but it certainly changed how I see it. Cooperative Exploration was, and is, the manifestation of an idea. Ideas are cheap. People have them all of the time. The problem is people lock their ideas deep down inside, protecting them from the world. Deep down is where they most often remain, slowly morphing into regret. Instead, this idea was shared with anyone who would listen. People were excited. People helped. This is how ideas turn into action. Many people have lent their talents to our past launches. We each do what we can, and what the project requires. No contribution was less than, or greater than, any other. Ill list the names of our team members in no particular order. If I leave anyone out, they can chalk it up to my less than perfect memory. Ben Collins, Meghan Collins, Odin Collins, Barrett Collins, Paul Collins, Lianne Collins, Kacey Collins, Paige Collins, Harper Surgent, Breigha Collins, Ryan Clarke, Fiona Collins, Declan Collins, Coco Collins, Sandra Poczobut, Paul Jenkins, Pat Noonan, Daniel Bailey, Alysia Noonan, Stephen Fitz, Dave MacLeod, MJ MacLeod, Bess Walker, Lightening McQueen, Rob Ford Q: How and why did you get involved with high altitude balloons? *My son.* He wanted his new toy Astronaut Lightening McQueen to be a real astronaut. I had seen the video from the Canadian kids who put their LEGO man holding a Canadian flag into space. If they could do it, why couldnt we? *The excitement of exploration and discovery.* If not this, then what? I find few opportunities to make room for this most human of desires, and I believe that I am not alone. This is the desire not only to explore and discover the outer reaches of our planet, but to explore and discover the untapped capabilities of ourselves. *The strength of family and friends.* When family and friends heard about this project, they rallied around it. Because of our large team, complicated tasks became small, at times small tasks became complicated, and we achieved together. *The community of HABing.* There were people scattered across the internet who were there to help. Be it through blogs, how-to manuals, posted videos, proposed ideas, or collaborative forums, such as the excellent one created by the GSBC, answers are out there. Your idea may be unique. These resources may or may not have the answers you need, but they are the place to start. Q: What are the goals of your high altitude balloon group? *To do interesting things.* To commit our time, energy and resources to ideas simply because we can and want to. *To go to space.* My son wanted his toy to be a real astronaut, so we put the toy on a balloon. youtu.be/iOyZoch_hb4 Some of out team members are part of the local hospital who was fundraising for a much needed addition, so we attached their message and their wish to a balloon. youtu.be/g1k-xs18B5U My wifes grandmother, Bess Walker, who was a woman of astronomical love and grace, passed away. We flew her picture to near-space as a memorial for the universe to share. (Video coming) Rob Ford is beyond earthly explanation. We thought the universe should have a look (and wanted to gloom off his notoriety.) We strapped his bobble-head to a balloon, and comedy ensued. youtu.be/UPWllGo73-4 Q: What is your favorite part of the Global Space Balloon Challenge? *Direction.* We didnt know where to start, so we started with a deadline. We knew it had to be done by April. We didnt know how to do this, but the GSBC helped us find answers, and put us in contact with others who were striving to do similar things. To be honest, we may not have been sure why we were doing this. The group who put the GSBC together put themselves out there, and said this is important. This is what makes the GSBC so cool. Q: What do you think is the future of HABing? *The sky is the beginning.* It could be an advanced network of stratolites bringing the internet to those who cant access it, a vehicle to carry regular folks to near-space, or the realization of a childs fantasy. *What do you want it to be?* Do yourself a favor, and answer this question. Now, go shout it from the rooftop, and see who joins in.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 01:13:17 +0000
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