I received a statement from Katherine Bennell, one of three ISU alumni who helped to create the Starwalker astronaut reality show. The trio withdrew from the Australia-based effort in December. Below is a statement explaining their withdrawal from the effort, which is now being led by filmmaker and author Jonathan Nolan.
Katherine Bennell, Campbell Pegg and Rogan Shimmin wish to clarify their involvement with the Starwalker project.
We jointly devised what we believed was a unique concept for an inspirational television reality show centred on sending winners into space. We believed that through a privately or media-funded Astronaut selection and flight, showcasing space facilities and projects, we could help to increase public excitement for and involvement in space. Through existing personal contacts, we took the concept to Greg Smith who, in turn, brought Jonathan Nolan to the project. Although some of us had known Mr Smith previously, none of us knew of, or had had any involvement with, Mr Nolan prior to being introduced to him by Mr Smith.
In September 2009 we reached an initial agreement in principle to proceed with the project with Mr Smith and, through him, Mr Nolan, but when we sought to have that arrangement formalised by a lawyer acting for us, they withdrew from negotiations and we, in turn, withdrew from the project on 7th December 2009. Neither we nor our lawyer have had any further communication with either Mr Smith or Mr Nolan since that date.
At no time have we received any payment from Messrs Smith and Nolan or any other person in relation to the project, nor have we been party to any representations in respect of the project made since 7th December 2009. Any representations in relation to the project made prior to that date, with which we may have been or appeared to have been associated, were either made without our knowledge, or, where we were aware of them, were asserted to us by Messrs Smith and Nolan to be true and correct in every particular and we saw no reason at the time to question those assertions.
We entirely dissociate ourselves from the Starwalker project being conducted by Messrs Smith and Nolan.
Similar Posts:
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- Starwalker Reality Show Hits the Skids
- Starwalker Reality Show Headed by Disbarred Attorney
- Video: Starwalker Executive Producer Jonathan Nolan’s Work
- Starwalker Closes Blog, Greg Smith Loses Defamation Lawsuit
Ouch. Fishier and fishier.
I’ll stick with the Space Ambassadors program for my ticket into space. Even though they’re taking their time getting it started, I at least know that the ticket is already reserved.
Wow, to think I was sucked into this stuff as I was “apparently” chosen as a contestant.
Friends from other sites did their best to convince me that it was too good to be true, although I wanted it to be otherwise I guess somewhere in the back of my mind I knew they were right.
I should have known better when the “breakfast Run” seemed to be bereft of any accurate details,( I even had to call the staff of supposed partners 2XU, to find out details (of which they were also a little confussed).
Ohhhh well; is it a crime to dream?
At least I can still chat to Robert brand on face Book and read his site “Echoes of Apollo” and came here to Parabolic Arc…..at least there is accurate information from these parties!
Cheers
Yeah well folks, as i was informed by “Real” Starwalkers; they would be sending all confirmed competitors a comprehensive information package on the 25th February, 2010.
Now being the 3rd of march and, ZERO!!!!!
Need I say anymore……what course of action do those that have been fleeced by the old 7 pound sterling SMS entry fee have if any?
Despicable.