Space Stuff
#128
As I type this the TV in my office is showing live pictures of the Orion spacecraft as it makes a small alignment maneuver as it approaches the halfway point on its journey back to Earth after its slingshot around the Moon.
And what an amazing week it’s been.
Several years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in a couple of comics-related outreach projects with NASA that revolved around the use of the then still in-development Orion spacecraft.
One was shelved due to a change in mission profile (we’d been working on a graphic novel about Orion being used for an asteroid capture mission), and the inevitable budget cuts; the other evolved into an issue of Science Squad that took place on the future Artemis moonbase.
One of my most cherished possessions is the Orion lapel pin I was presented with during that time. I’ve been proudly wearing it on my jacket all week.
I’ll admit watching the Artemis II launch with a crewed Orion spacecraft payload just over week ago is something I wasn’t sure we’d ever see.
Yep, it gave me the feels.
It took me right back to 1968 when eight-year old me became obsessed with following every piece of coverage and information on the similar Apollo 8 mission. An interest in space flight that stayed with me through the rest of the Apollo program and on into my career in aerospace, engineering, and content.
During my days working on those NASA comics I was lucky enough to attend several meetings at the Johnson space center in Houston, and the thrill of walking into the facility was something eight-year-old me could have only dreamed of.
Splash down of the Orion capsule is scheduled for around nine hours after this newsletter is published, and I’ll be glued to the TV just as I was 58 years ago.
Here’s wishing the Artemis II crew a safe return to Earth.
Alan
Other Stuff
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Word Slinging
This week I reached the milestone on the Casino Royale 67 project I’ve been aiming for over the last year or so. All the research and writing is now complete.
I’m taking a short break before I dive back in to reviewing the notes from a couple of Bond scholars who’ve been reviewing things as I’ve been working on the book. And then its on to editing and getting the final manuscript into shape.
One way I’m spending that short break is doing a read through of the first draft and making notes for Monaco Heist, the third novel in Van Allen Plexio’s fun Harper & Salsa “Heist” series which I’m honored to be co-writing.
Shows Booked in 2026
The list of events in 2026 where you will be able to find us is now looking something like this:
April 19 - Barnes & Noble - Bowie MD
May 2 - Annapolis Book Fair - Annapolis, MD,
May 15-17 - CRAA Fest - Bel Air, MD
May 22-25 - Balticon - Baltimore, MD
July 29 - Aug 2 - PulpFest - Pittsburgh, PA
August 8 - Bookfair - Bel Air, MD
Buy Our Books Direct Online
You can now buy any of our books directly from us via our Forest Comics and Books store on eBay where they are all listed with the same BuyNow prices that we charge at conventions and shows.
Thanks to the folks who have already purchased copies from us over the last few weeks.
Podcast Procrastinations
In the latest episode on the Chronological Christie podcast, we dive into the snow-bound Sittaford Mystery (aka The Murder at Hazelmoor), So strap on your boots and come join us.
Over on the Before They Were Beatles podcast, the latest episode covering the story of The Beatle’s enigmatic bass player Stuart Sutcliffe is now available.
Books Read in 2026
“The Day of the Jackal” by Fredrick Forsyth
Read this many years ago and had forgotten just how extensively researched it was and crammed with what in many other books would be too much distracting detail.
Yet here it worked to slowly build the tension building towards the sudden climatic conclusion.
A classic thriller and a gripping read. Which is clever for a book where you know right from the start that the main character fails in his mission.
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Over at our online bookstore at Bookshop.org I’ve now added a section listing books read so far in 2026, as well as previous years, so you can pick up copies of any that interest you, while also helping out local independent bookstores.
You can check it out HERE
Where on the Web is Alan?
You can now find links to all the places you can find me online, websites, newsletters, social media, and more in a single LINKS page on my personal website.
As always, thanks for joining me this week. If you know someone else who might enjoy the contents of this edition of the newsletter, or just my ramblings in general, please feel free to share by clicking the button below.
See you next time
Alan J. Porter
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