Starship Pegasus Inching Toward Phase II
April 13, 2005
by Freda Parker
Imagine parents asking their child, "Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?" and the child replying, "Yes, an astronaut, and I want to go to the College of Space Exploration."
If Andy Gee, the 53-year-old developer of Starship Pegasus, has his way that imagined scenario will become a reality in the next few years. Progress towards his Phase II that includes the college has been slow but steady.
In 1994, Andy owned and managed a 14-apartment complex in Spokane, Washington. "One day, I noticed a tiny ad in Popular Mechanics Magazine about building a Monolithic Dome house," he said. "I sent away for the introductory tape, watched it and fell in love with the whole concept. So I sent away for the set of three tapes. Then I signed up for a Workshop -- the second one that Monolithic ever held."
One evening, after attending Monolithic's Workshop, Andy just happened to wander into a supermarket. "I have this bad habit of picking up those free real estate magazines they put in grocery stores," he said. "I picked one up at a store in Italy, Texas and began studying it. That's how I learned that real estate in Texas was one-third cheaper than it was in Washington."
Andy returned to Spokane, told his fiancee' Janne of his discovery, sold his 14-unit apartment complex and moved to Texas, where he purchased a 50-unit apartment complex.
Although that investment doubled his income, in 2003 Andy sold it, so he could begin constructing the domes he envisioned as a Space Complex. "We started with the larger plan," Andy said. "It called for building our College of Space Exploration. But that would have cost eight million dollars, and we didn't have that. So we had to rethink the project. We decided to build the restaurant first, then add on."
As construction of the Monolithic Dome that would become a restaurant looking like a just-landed spaceship began, Andy decided on its name: Starship Pegasus."Pegasus ties it to Greek mythology, science, science fiction and UFOs," Andy explained. "In Greek mythology, Pegasus was the winged horse of Zeus.
"In science, Pegasus is a constellation. I also learned that in the late 1980s, private enterprise launched a series of communication rockets into outer space called the Pegasus Rockets. I understand that at least four of them are still out there, functioning.
"In science fiction," Andy continued, "the TV series Star Trek featured five different captains of five different Pegasus ships that had five different adventures.
"As for UFOs, that connection comes through the classic story of Betty and Barney Hill who, in the 1960s, claimed they were abducted by aliens who came from a star in the Pegasus Constellation."
Starship Pegasus, an out-of-this-world restaurant and family entertainment center, complete with friendly aliens, opened its portals to earthly guests just after Christmas 2004.
With games such as Halo 2 that allows 16 players to war against each other all at the same time, the restaurant's interior continues its space theme. But Starship Pegasus attractions are not limited to games or even its gift shop.
Andy said, "We have Max Corneau, an astronomer, give lectures once a month, and I have a 10-inch diameter telescope. Using my scope with his lenses, Max was able to see the Rings of Saturn."
According to Andy, they are currently awaiting the arrival of a portable observatory to house the telescope. He and Max will take the observatory to schools and give astronomy lectures, as part of the Starship Pegasus Outreach Program.
On Saturdays, entertainment at Starship Pegasus includes a puppet show, with astronomy stories that have a Christian moral. On Thursdays, there is an informal jam session that musicians playing any instrument can join.
All this activity is focused toward one goal: Phase II, the College of Space Exploration that will one day educate our future space explorers.
"We're working hard toward that goal," Andy concluded. "Our Phase II was recently approved by the National Heritage Foundation as a nonprofit, educational enterprise. And Max has succeeded in bringing our program to NASA's attention. Gradually, we are getting the word out to the right people who can help make this dream a reality."
Related Links:
- Monolithic Dome Bowling Alley: A Facility With Benefits to Spare
- Monolithic Domes-- The Future of Entertainment
- Aggieland Fitness Dome-- The Dome as an Advertising Tool
- Monolithic Dome Indoor Waterparks
- Adler Planetarium and Museum-- Monolithic Dome Tops World’s First StarRider Theater
- Index of Larger Monolithic Dome Projects -- Partial List In Alphabetical Order by State
- Monolithic Domes Attract Newcomers At Living Word Bible Church
- www.starshippegasus.com
- Starship Pegasus - Space Age Fun for the Entire Family
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