Project OS

The center as a possible future use case for Project OS, with a planning template other communities can adapt.

What Project OS is today

Project OS is the proposer's own software for coordinating people, organizations, teams, events, facilities, equipment and community projects. It is a working MVP (Next.js, Supabase with row-level security, MapLibre), tested locally, not yet launched. No project depends on it.^[122]

How the center would map onto it

Project OS features as stated by the proposer; gaps are design notes, not commitments.
Center need	Project OS today	Gap
The center itself	One organization with its own time zone and an opt-in public page	None for a first version
Departments: education, engineering, community, operations	Teams with leaders and members; people can join several	—
Research programs and site studies	Projects with milestones, tasks and a 'planning phase, not permit-ready' notice	A project status field: idea, planning, building, completed
Candidate sites	Map locations; planned facilities always show 'Planned — not built' and cannot be booked	A 'studied, not selected' site status
Telescopes, kits, tools, a portable dome	Equipment with condition, asset tags, safety notes, approval-required flags; checkout and return	Maintenance and calibration logs
Star nights and school missions	Events with capacity, waitlists and attendance; facility booking	Guest or school-group sign-up without an account
Volunteers	Shifts and duties; risky tasks need manager approval	A role picker with safety gating
Construction coordination (later)	Projects, milestones, sensitive tasks needing approval, an audit log	Document versions and an approvals tracker (planned)
Recognition	Contributions verified by someone else; awards never for hours, speed or risk	Discoveries record; name-display choice; hours shown but never ranked
Youth safety	On the roadmap (minimum age, guardian rules)	Required before any youth program

Roles and recognition — the same kit in every project

Open roles need no training: pick any role and switch any time. Safety-critical roles are trained (guide → supervised days → sign-off) or qualified (licensed).

Stats per role

Only from verified records: sessions led, school groups hosted, parts made and signed off, observations logged and verified.

Hours worked

Only from confirmed check-ins. Shown to the person, and in totals if they choose. Never ranked or used for awards.

Discoveries

What was found, where, when, the evidence (photo, data file, log) and who verified it. Examples: a meteor log, a balloon-flight dataset, a repaired telescope.

Credits

Real names and roles, verified and permanent, shown as each person picks: full name, initials, a chosen name or hidden. Minors default to first name and last initial, with guardian consent.

Awards

For care: team spirit, mentoring, safety, behind-the-scenes help. Never for hours, speed or risk.

Volunteer shifts last 2 hours at most, outdoors where possible, with water and a break area. Adults working with minors need Pennsylvania child-protection clearances. That is the law, not a training lock, and it applies to every role that involves young people.

Quick guides for every role

Greeter and wayfindingOpen
What you do
Welcome visitors, point the way and help people who need step-free routes.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
A 10-minute safety and welcome note.
Safety
Know the exits and the first-aid point; call the lead for anything medical.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Everyone who came in found where they were going.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Unlocks
Event helper, after its training
Event helperOpen
What you do
Set up, run and pack away a public program: tables, signs, water and the sorting points.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
The safety note and the event's plan.
Safety
Lift with a partner; keep walkways clear.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The event ran, and the place is left cleaner than we found it.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Star-night guide (night sky only)Open
What you do
Help visitors find objects in the night sky and use a guided telescope.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
A short guide to the sky that night and to the telescopes.
Safety
Never point any telescope at the Sun; keep red lights only.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Visitors saw the sky and the telescopes are packed safely.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Unlocks
Solar observing with filters (eye safety), after its training
Exhibit explainerOpen
What you do
Explain an exhibit or a mission story in plain words.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
The exhibit's one-page script.
Safety
Keep hands-on parts clean and report anything broken.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Visitors asked questions and left knowing more.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
School-mission assistantOpen
What you do
Help a teacher run a school mission: handouts, timing and teamwork.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
The mission plan and the youth-safety policy.
Safety
Pennsylvania clearances are required for any adult working with minors; never be alone with a child.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Every team finished its mission and the room is reset.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Data and observation loggerOpen
What you do
Record observations and data carefully, with time, place and who checked it.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
How the log works and what counts as evidence.
Safety
Log only what you saw; mark anything unsure.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The log is complete and checked by a second person.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Translation and accessibility helperOpen
What you do
Translate signs and talks, and help people use step-free routes and quiet spaces.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
The accessibility checklist.
Safety
Ask before helping; follow the person's lead.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Everyone could take part in the program.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Garden and sustainability helperOpen
What you do
Look after gardens, compost and the recycling and reuse points.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
How the sorting points and compost work.
Safety
Gloves for soil and compost; tools back on the rack.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The sorting points are tidy and the garden is cared for.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Tool-library helper (hand tools)Open
What you do
Lend and check in hand tools and telescopes, with condition notes.
Who can do it
Open to anyone, after a short safety note
Training
How checkout and condition notes work.
Safety
Hand tools only; anything powered goes to a trained person.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Every item is checked in, noted and back in its place.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Unlocks
Machine shop and power tools, after its training
Machine shop and power toolsTrained
What you do
Make and repair parts with shop machines.
Who can do it
Trained: short training, supervised sessions, then sign-off by a named person
Training
The machine's quick guide, supervised days, then sign-off by a named person for each machine.
Safety
Eye and ear protection; no loose clothing; never work alone.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The part passed inspection and the machine is clean and logged.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
High-voltage electrical work and battery storageQualified
What you do
Install and service electrical systems and battery rooms.
Who can do it
Qualified: licensed or certified people working for the responsible partner
Training
A license and the employer's own safety program.
Safety
Licensed electricians only, under the building code and NFPA 855 for battery rooms.
Shift
Set by the responsible partner and the law
Done looks like
The work passed inspection and is recorded.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Rocketry (motor handling, range safety)Qualified
What you do
Handle motors and run model-rocket launches.
Who can do it
Qualified: licensed or certified people working for the responsible partner
Training
Certification held by the insured partner's flyers.
Safety
Only at suitable fields beyond 5 nm of the airport, run by insured partners; never in Bethlehem.
Shift
Set by the responsible partner and the law
Done looks like
The launch followed the range-safety plan and the field is clean.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Lab chemicalsTrained
What you do
Use and store lab chemicals for experiments.
Who can do it
Trained: short training, supervised sessions, then sign-off by a named person
Training
The chemical safety guide, supervised sessions, then sign-off.
Safety
Safety data sheets, goggles and gloves; nothing leaves the lab.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The experiment is logged and everything is stored and labeled.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Solar observing with filters (eye safety)Trained
What you do
Run safe views of the Sun with certified filters.
Who can do it
Trained: short training, supervised sessions, then sign-off by a named person
Training
The filter guide, supervised sessions, then sign-off.
Safety
Check every filter before use; never leave a telescope unattended in daylight.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
Everyone saw the Sun safely and the filters are checked and stored.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Balloon launch crew (gas handling, airspace)Trained
What you do
Help a partner prepare and launch a student balloon payload.
Who can do it
Trained: short training, supervised sessions, then sign-off by a named person
Training
The partner's launch guide, supervised launches, then sign-off.
Safety
Gas handling and airspace rules are run by the partner; follow the launch lead.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The payload flew, and the data and the site are recovered.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor
Lasers (FAA notice zone)Trained
What you do
Use lasers in demonstrations and labs.
Who can do it
Trained: short training, supervised sessions, then sign-off by a named person
Training
The laser safety guide, supervised sessions, then sign-off.
Safety
Never point a laser at the sky or at people; near the airport, nothing outdoors without the FAA notice.
Shift
2 hours at most, with water and a break area
Done looks like
The demonstration ran safely and the laser is locked away.
Who to ask
The shift lead on the day; for safety, the safety supervisor

No role is open yet. Joining, profiles, chat and community will go through Project OS once the first pilot programs run. It aims to open many ways to take part, starting in Bethlehem: an aim, not a promise of roles, pay or numbers.

Paid roles: many to build it, a few to keep

This is a design assumption. The full list, and when each role ends, is under More detail.

Reuse it anywhere

What another place can copy

The method: status labels, the honesty rules and the nine-step planning template.
The checklists: the site dossier, the regulatory pack, youth safety, the planet-and-people rules and the quick guide for every role.
The layouts for pages, drawings and documents, with every number kept in data so it changes in one place.

What stays local

Land and owners, permits and laws, climate and ground, language, currency, units and time zone. Each copy checks these on the spot; none is copied from Bethlehem.

Places in this plan

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United Statesplanning phase

Summary, settings and local rules: under More detail.

Connected ideas

Project OS (Working software, not yet launched). The proposer's separate planning system: joining, profiles, roles and chat will go through it.
Bethlehem Connect (Planning phase). The proposer's separate transit plan, linking the center's places.
Aethon (Early-stage company). Ocean exploration, part of the same mission. Methods are shared, never data; nothing is agreed.
Energy & Logistics Hubs (Idea; none sited, funded or built). The proposer's idea for natural-energy supply, region by region.

Beyond Bethlehem

An aim, not a plan or a promise: if the Bethlehem pilots work, the same method could be reused in other Pennsylvania towns, in communities across the US such as the Midwest, and by towns and campuses worldwide, each with its own local answers. No other place is chosen, contacted or funded.

A planning template other communities can adapt

1. Status and honesty page
What is secured, what is not, and the labels used.
2. Site dossier
Ownership, zoning, environment, aviation, transit, each with a 'could not confirm' line.
3. Program modules
Pick only the facilities and programs that fit (see the area schedule).
4. Regulatory pack
Local aviation, building, child-protection, charity and environmental rules, as a document per place, not code.
5. Transit and access
Walking and transit for young people first.
6. Energy and materials
Reuse, efficiency, local incentives as they actually stand.
7. Partners
Potential / contacted / agreed — never blurred.
8. Budget and risks
Ranges with sources; no gifts assumed.
9. Recognition kit
Roles, verified stats, hours shown but never ranked, discoveries and credits.

Planning phase

Scroll sideways to see the whole drawing.

Figure 13. Long-term worldwide replication framework

v0.3 · 2026-10-19 · Diagram — not to scale

An aim, not a plan: three nested layers, with four shared principles at the center, ten optional program modules around them (one, the Project OS template, is not built) and an outer frame of local adaptation (engineering, environment, regulation, culture). Below them, a nine-step template where each place writes its own answers.

Figure notes

Every module is an option a place may pick; none is built.
Engineering: ground, climate, flood, utilities and building codes.
Environment: contamination, habitats, sky brightness and water.
Regulation: aviation, launch law, drones, child protection, charity and privacy.
Culture: languages, who is left out, heritage and existing institutions.
The nine steps: 1 status page, 2 site dossier, 3 program modules, 4 regulatory pack, 5 transit and access, 6 energy and materials, 7 partners (listed honestly), 8 budget and risks (no gifts assumed), 9 recognition kit.
Beyond Bethlehem is an aim, not a plan or a promise: no other place is chosen, contacted or funded.

Shared principles
Optional modules
Local adaptation (always required)
Dashed edge: Project OS template (software, not built)

No single design fits every place. Precedent to study: Challenger Center's network of locally hosted learning centers. Sources: ^[171] Planning phase.

More detail

How the work is meant to feel

Quests

Each task reads like a quest with a clear goal, place and time, such as "Help run Saturday's star night".

Paths

Training and finished work unlock new roles, such as the tool library leading to the machine shop. Levels come from training and experience.

Badges and leaderboards

Badges recognize finishing, learning and helping others. Seasonal leaderboards and rewards by category, set by each league; people choose whether to appear.

Never scored

Hours worked, speed on safety-critical work, and risk-taking. Safety rules are never a challenge.

Daily limit

At most 10 hours a day per person across all projects, plus 2 bonus hours a week, so one day can reach 12. Volunteer shifts stay at 2 hours or less. Lower limits from the law or an employer always win.

One profile

People can hold roles in many projects, with stats for each project and one profile in Project OS.

Paid roles and when each ends

Assumption (design) — paid roles. Build-phase roles end when their job is done; only a few positions stay.
Role	Horizon	Ends
Design team: licensed architect and engineers (contracted)	Build phase	When permits are issued and construction drawings are done
Owner's representative for construction or fit-out	Build phase	At the certificate of occupancy
Licensed trades for fit-out (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)	Build phase	At fit-out sign-off
Setup and commissioning: equipment, exhibits and software	Build phase	When every system passes commissioning
Training lead for staff and volunteers	Build phase	After the first season's training, handed to the safety supervisor
Opening coordinator	Build phase	About three months after opening (assumption)
Director and operations lead, reporting to an independent board	Long term	Kept
Safety and facilities supervisor: present whenever shop, lab or flight activities run	Long term	Kept; required by safety
Education and youth-safety coordinator with Pennsylvania clearances	Long term	Kept; required by law for youth programs

Scheduling, inventory, records, reminders, reports and paperwork run in Project OS or other software, not by hand. Automation never replaces the people that safety or the law requires: trained supervisors, licensed trades, youth-safety staff and the staff needed during opening hours. The long-term positions are sized to at least that.

Rules for every copy

Places are data, never page code: each place is one entry in src/content/places.ts (Bethlehem is the first), with its settings in one config file (site.json) and its facts in its own data files. A new town means a new entry, not a new site.
Templates carry no people, contacts or private data.
A copy starts at “idea”, with every approval “not requested”.
Projects share methods, never data.

Places: summary, settings and local rules

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

The first place: free programs in existing South Bethlehem venues first, then a small space in an existing building. Nothing is funded or built yet.

Time zone: America/New_York
Language: English (US)
Currency: US dollars
Units: Metric and US customary, side by side
Youth safety: Pennsylvania clearances for every adult working with minors.
Airspace: Within about 5 nm of ABE: no rocket flights, and no tall structures without an FAA no-hazard determination.
Buildings: City zoning, building-code (UCC) and historic reviews for any space; each decided on its merits.
Quiet hours and events: To research.

Software rules

Design the data model for many organizations and locations, roles and permissions, languages, local currencies, time zones, measurement systems, accessibility and region-specific rules.
Build only what Bethlehem needs first: one organization, English, US dollars, America/New_York, areas stored in m² and shown in both units, and WCAG 2.1 AA checks from day one.
No speculative space-specific features until real use justifies them.
No single design fits every place: climate, ground, law, culture, money and what already exists nearby all change the answer. The template asks the questions; each community writes its own answers.