Brower Propulsion Laboratory



Autoharp used to accompany the recital of
Autoharp used to accompany the recital of "Yeah, Yeah, Oh-Yeah (What Condition My Condition Was In) at the end of the service by Brian Dewan channeling Kenny Rogers.
Bedwyr Williams at Royal International Pavilion after Carpenter's Funeral.
Bedwyr Williams at Royal International Pavilion after Carpenter's Funeral.
Post funeral get-together.
Post funeral get-together.
Reconstruction of Conrad Carpenter's family tree.
Reconstruction of Conrad Carpenter's family tree.
Marker board outside the Monsanto Suite 29 September, 2007.  Monsanto made the nuclear power units used to generate electricity on the moon during Apollo missions.  Now they manufacture GM foods.  Carpenter was a big fan.
Marker board outside the Monsanto Suite 29 September, 2007. Monsanto made the nuclear power units used to generate electricity on the moon during Apollo missions. Now they manufacture GM foods. Carpenter was a big fan.
Display at Conrad Carpenter's funeral.
Display at Conrad Carpenter's funeral.
BPL 001 near space capsule and launch vehicle containing Conrad Carpenter's ashes, along with a scientific payload just after launch from the Royal International Pavilion, LLangollen, Wales, 29 September, 2007.
BPL 001 near space capsule and launch vehicle containing Conrad Carpenter's ashes, along with a scientific payload just after launch from the Royal International Pavilion, LLangollen, Wales, 29 September, 2007.
key to visual elements of Conrad Carpenter Memorial Service.
key to visual elements of Conrad Carpenter Memorial Service.
Observers and mourners at Royal International Pavilion just after launch of BPL 001 with Conrad Carpenter's ashes.  Note wistful expression on Dominic Chennel, at center.
Observers and mourners at Royal International Pavilion just after launch of BPL 001 with Conrad Carpenter's ashes. Note wistful expression on Dominic Chennel, at center.
View of the Memorial Service arrangement in the Monsanto Suite.
View of the Memorial Service arrangement in the Monsanto Suite.
Portmeirion, Wales.  Built by Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978), who
Portmeirion, Wales. Built by Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978), who "...fought for Beauty, 'that strange necessity'"(from pamphlet). Also home briefly of #6 in the late 1960's.
Letter and maps detailing the reasons for the denial of BPL 001's use of air space to an altitude of 150,000 feet by the Civil Aviation Authority (not the least of which was application being submitted two days before launch).
Letter and maps detailing the reasons for the denial of BPL 001's use of air space to an altitude of 150,000 feet by the Civil Aviation Authority (not the least of which was application being submitted two days before launch).
Application submitted by Royal International Pavilion to the Civil Aviation Authority for use of airspace by BPL 001, 26 September, 2007.  (note bold, underlined, yet subtle print at top: 28 days notice MUST be given of the event).
Application submitted by Royal International Pavilion to the Civil Aviation Authority for use of airspace by BPL 001, 26 September, 2007. (note bold, underlined, yet subtle print at top: 28 days notice MUST be given of the event).
Conrad Carpenter's Cuff Checklist and Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronometer on display at his Memorial Service.
Conrad Carpenter's Cuff Checklist and Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronometer on display at his Memorial Service.
Monument to Conrad Carpenter, in diminutive but sturdy
Monument to Conrad Carpenter, in diminutive but sturdy "cold cast iron", and the final remains of the Handyman-Astronaut in a specially constructed capsule designed to open in the troposphere, two hours after launch.
BPL 001 near spacecraft above Royal International Pavilion, LLangollen, Wales.
BPL 001 near spacecraft above Royal International Pavilion, LLangollen, Wales.
BPL 001 near spacecraft being prepared to deploy fallen Astronaut-Handyman Conrad Carpenter's ashes in the troposphere.
BPL 001 near spacecraft being prepared to deploy fallen Astronaut-Handyman Conrad Carpenter's ashes in the troposphere.
Local delicacy before dehydration and conversion to
Local delicacy before dehydration and conversion to "space food".
BPL official and group of local students run tests on near spacecraft in LLangollen, Wales.
BPL official and group of local students run tests on near spacecraft in LLangollen, Wales.
Welsh countryside, birthplace of Conrad Carpenter's ancestors.
Welsh countryside, birthplace of Conrad Carpenter's ancestors.
Welsh Memento Mori.
Welsh Memento Mori.
Observers and mourners at Royal International Pavilion just after launch of BPL 001 with Conrad Carpenter's ashes.  Note wistful expression on Dominic Chennel, at center.

BPL 001, Funeral Mission for Conrad Carpenter

Conrad Carpenter Memorial Service held at the Royal International Pavilion, LLangollen, Wales, 29 September, 2007.
A presentation was given detailing the life of the Handyman-Astronaut, which was concluded by the recital of Carpenter's favorite song. After the service, his ashes were loaded into a capsule and sent aloft via weather balloon, to be scattered over the Welsh countryside, and a little on the spectators. Test report available: BPL-001 Test Debrief



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