Poem: In Memory Of Those At Scaled Composities

Note: This poem is dedicated to Charles Glen May, Eric Blackwell, and Todd Ivens who lost their lives while attempting to help humanity fall in love with space again.

They will be sorely missed upon this planet.

_________________________

To Touch The Heavens

From dust to dust
From ash to ash
They say our species
Is bound to clash

Over ideas and thoughts
And political views
But then there are
A certain few

Who strive to think
Of new ways to fly
Above the air
And beyond the sky

To touch the heavens
To taste the moon
To laugh on Mars
And on Titan's lagoons

To see the Sun
In unfiltered glory
To tell the universe
Our own space story

We shall not forget
The three who perished
To enhance a world
We all cherish

So rest in peace
Glen, Eric and Todd
As you walk in the heavens
With Almighty God

~Darnell Clayton, 2007

_________________________

Centauri Dreams has information on ways people can help out the families while Space Pragmatism has a tribute to one of the men who lost their lives in this tragedy.

New Mexico Spaceport Executive Has Died

(Hat Tip: Space Fellowship)

One of the men who helped pioneer commercial spaceports in New Mexico (which probably influenced other states and countries to construct similar ones) has passed away recently.

(Spaceport America) Governor Bill Richardson released the following statement today on the death of Lonnie Sumpter, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority:

"Lonnie was a true public servant and dedicated the last 15 years of his life to building a new space industry in New Mexico," said Governor Bill Richardson. "As executive director of the NM Spaceport Authority he was a pioneer in his profession and a valued member of my Administration."

Sumpter will definitely be greatly missed by space enthusiasts within his state, as his vision helped spark the private space industry and convinced not only individuals, but government officials of its worth.

My prayers and thoughts are with Sumpter's family, friends and coworkers.