First Teenager in Space

DATE: 16 January 2003

TO: Los Angeles and Antelope Valley Media

FROM: The Traveling Space Museum

Principle Contact: Ivor Dawson

Phone: 323.291.5130

Alternate Contacts:

Suzanne Houchin: Ph: 323.842.1015

Dr. Maureen Clemmons Ph: 818.407.0951

Justin's Quest

The "Real World" meets "The Right Stuff"

On Saturday, January 24^th, Justin Houchin will go aboard a MiG 15 to experience high flight and weightlessness as part of his experiential training to be the First Teenager in Space. Justin is booked aboard the Solaris X, the rocket being built by X-Prize contestants Interorbital Systems. The MiG, owned by Tom Smith, the President of Flying Billboards located in Granada Hills, will give Justin a feel for high-speed aviation. "We are dedicated to obtaining, restoring and maintaining unique historic aircraft at air shows" says Smith, "our goals include promoting aviation interest and preserving aviation history." In this spirit, Ivor Dawson, the president of the non-profit Traveling Space Museum, approached Smith about allowing Justin to experience this aircraft in preparation for his launch into space next year. The First Teenager in Space was a result of Dawson's dedication to getting kids excited about science and technology. Dawson maintains "that if you want to get kids interested in space, you need to send an interesting kid into space. In support of the president's vision of space exploration, we need to get the next generation excited about science, technology and space exploration. They’ll be the ones getting us there. It all starts with kids."

In the summer of 2003, Craig and Suzanne Houchin of Sunland, CA held a press conference in Los Angeles announcing their son, Justin’s, quest to become "The First Teenager in Space." With the help of Ivor Dawson and the Traveling Space Museum and Dr. Maureen Clemmons, president of Transformations, a San Fernando Valley based innovation consulting firm, Justin booked a ride aboard a private rocket that will put him into space. The 15 minute suborbital flight on the Solaris X rocket, launched by private aerospace firm, Interorbital Systems, is scheduled to occur next year when Justin is 18. Interorbital Systems, one of the contestants in the prestigious X-Prize, is headed by Randa Milliron.

The very idea of 'NSYNC's Lance Bass going into space nearly sent young people around the world into ecstasy. As Justin lives through his once-in-a-lifetime quest to make history, he hopes that his endeavor will ignite new interest in space and technology education and inspire young people everywhere to reach for the stars. In the world of space and aviation there are very few 'firsts' left to accomplish. "Justin's Quest" -- to become "The First Teenager in Space" is a 'first' that will be to witnessed, enjoyed and remembered by all mankind.

Background
Justin Houchin is a handsome 17 year-old scholar-athlete and Eagle Scout candidate who possesses a mad passion for music, robots and adventure. A straight "A" student, Justin was a member of his school's all-star robot building team and toured the nation winning numerous awards. Justin and his colleagues were the toast of the famed Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena Ca. and got to work with some of the scientists who participated in the current Mars rover program. Justin participated in a work-study program to pay his tuition at the private high school he attended and completed the four year high school program in three years. Fresh out of school, Justin will take a break before going to college to begin his quest into space.

Justin Houchin possesses the right combination of brains, verve, charm, talent and the desire to accomplish great things. His parents and two younger brothers are fully supportive in all of Justin's goals.

The Traveling Space Museum is dedicated to helping Justin experience the very best opportunities for teenage-astronaut training. So far, he has completed his SCUBA training, participated in the Young Eagle program at Whiteman Airport, begun his classroom work for his pilot’s license, will be starting public speaking classes in February and is actively looking for further funding and sponsorship for his Cosmonaut training in Russia next summer. Justin is also very excited to be one of the teen spokespersons for “Space Day 2004” which is taking place in Washington, DC on May 6th. Space Day is a program which inspires students to pursue the fields of space, engineering and technology. John Glenn is the co-chair.

Tom Smith is the owner of the MiG-15 in Mojave Ca. and can be reached at 818.262.2434 or 818.893.1947 in the evening his email is: mig15@earthlink.net.

The event is open to the Press on, January 24th at 11:00 AM at the Mojave Airfield. Mojave is a one stop-light town where directions are given based on roadside landmarks so here goes:
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Directions:
Take the Antelope Freeway (14) north from Los Angeles past Edward's AFB and the town of Roseman to the town of Mojave. Drive past the stop light until you reach the Shell Gas station at Bradshaw St. Go right past the Post Office and Little League field to the main gate of the Airfield (on your left). Honk until someone comes to open the gate or call Tom Smith's cell phone 818.262.2434.

First Teenager in Space

PRESS RELEASE