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Newly Illustrated Versions of the NSS Roadmap to Space Settlement Now Available

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

NSS Roadmap to Space Settlement Find out more on MagCloud)

A newly illustrated version of the National Space Society publication Milestones to Space Settlement: An NSS Roadmap is now available in three new formats from nss.org/roadmap:

(1) A free downloadable PDF edition [6 MB]

(2) a free online full-screen flip-book edition

(3) a quality full-color magazine-style printed edition for $9.95 (think Father’s Day?)

Some new and striking art work appears for the first time in these new editions of the NSS Roadmap. Let these artists show you some of the possible paths to space development and settlement. These new editions provide additional ways to read and distribute this material to help promote the NSS Vision.

The NSS Roadmap to Space Settlement discusses milestones to be reached for the settlement of four destinations: the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and orbital space settlements. The Roadmap takes no stand on which may or should come first but supports all four destinations.

As originally announced in Ad Astra magazine, this Roadmap was adopted by the NSS Board of Directors in 2012, updating the original NSS Roadmap published in 2000. On May 24th the 2013 International Space Development Conference will feature a Roadmap Track and Press Conference about the Roadmap.

Posted in NSS Website Updates, National Space Society, Space Art, Space Policy, Space Settlement, The Space Movement | No Comments »

National Space Society Applauds NASA Asteroid Capture Plan

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

The National Space Society (NSS) applauds the new NASA budget item that would provide close to $100 million for a mission to rendezvous with a small asteroid and move it into orbit around the Moon where it could later be visited by astronauts.

“An asteroid capture mission is a tremendously important mission, and one that could not be more relevant to the challenges our civilization faces today,” said Mark Hopkins, Chairman of the NSS Executive Committee. “Robotic asteroid capture is the first step to exploiting the vast material resources of the solar system for a hopeful and prosperous future for mankind.”

Notes NSS Executive Vice President Paul Werbos, “Even small asteroids contain tremendous wealth—precious metals, rare strategic metals important for sustainable development, raw materials for in-space construction, and volatiles for life support and propulsion in space.”

This mission is an important precursor to enable private industry to access such resources for the benefit of all mankind and return wealth to our world economy. One medium sized asteroid, 3554 Anum, is estimated to contain $20 trillion of platinum group metals.

Robotic asteroid capture is also a key step toward an effective planetary defense. The mission will mature our ability to capture and deflect a hazardous asteroid—protecting civilization from suffering the same fate as the dinosaurs. The search for suitable targets will find huge numbers of smaller, currently unknown asteroids which pose a very real meteor threat to cities as evidenced by the explosion last month over Chelyabinsk, Russia that injured over 1000 people.

The mission also involves development of cost-effective new technologies of crucial value both to public and private activities in space. Robotic asteroid capture will drive improvements to Solar Electric Propulsion, a critical enabler of cost-effective transportation in Earth-Lunar space and the inner solar system akin to the development of large ocean faring vessels—opening up possibilities for even more ambitious missions in the future.

“The National Space Society has been advocating the capture of asteroid resources for decades (see our Roadmap and Statement of Philosophy), and is most gratified to see this important step toward the NSS Vision of people living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity,” said Hopkins.

Posted in Asteroid, NASA, National Space Society, Near Earth Objects, Space Policy | No Comments »

White House petition proposes space solar power as national energy and space goal

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Courtesy KurzweilAI.net:

A petition to the White House to task the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to examine space solar power (SSP) as a new energy and space goal for the U.S. has been posted on the White House WE the PEOPLE website, with a goal of 100,000 signatures by April 3, 2013.

The petition, initiated by SSP pioneer John C. Mankins, reads:

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:

Task the Office of Science and Technology Policy to examine Space Solar Power as a new energy & space goal for the US.

New concepts make it possible for solar energy to be harvested in space and delivered 24/7 to markets in the U.S. & globally. Space solar power (SSP) could supply vast new energy while addressing climate concerns.

SSP is now being pursued by other nations (e.g., China, Japan), and energy determines preeminence in space as on Earth.

But SSP falls between the charters of U.S. technology and space agencies (DOE, DOD, NASA), so it’s “no one’s job.” These agencies have existing responsibilities and stakeholders; they are not looking for new goals.

Only the White House (OSTP) working with Congress can change the policy gridlock in the U.S. and develop a plan to lead international R&D in this game-changing energy/space endeavor.

If you agree the U.S. should lead R&D on SSP, please support this petition.

“Harvesting solar power in space and delivering clean, inexhaustible energy to humanity has been a vision for more than 40 years,” Mankins, who is currently CTO of  asteroid mining company Deep Space Industries, explained to KurzweilAI. “Now, new technologies and new concepts exist that can transform this vision into a reality.

“Within a decade, perhaps less, the first solar power satellite made from mass-produced modules could be in operation, transforming everything we do in space and the future of energy on Earth. Space solar power is both technically feasible, and could be economically viable — but only if we act to make it so.”

NASA, international studies support SSP

Mankins headed two NASA studies of SSP. During 2011 — 2012, NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program supported a preliminary Phase 1 project to investigate a transformational new approach to the concept of SSP called the SPS-ALPHA, to deliver energy to Earth.

SPS-ALPHA would typically be based in a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), where it would intercept sunlight using a collection of individually pointed thin-film mirrors, convert that sunlight into a coherent microwave beam and transmit the power to markets on Earth or in space.

And in 1995–1997, NASA conducted its Fresh Look study, a preliminary reexamination of the technologies, systems concepts and terrestrial markets that might be involved in future SSP systems.

A three-year, ten-nation study of space solar power in 2009–2011 by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), co-chaired by Mankins, found that SSP appears to be “technically feasible within 10–20 years using technologies existing now in the laboratory, and economically viable in the next 1–3 decades under several different scenarios for future energy markets, including potential government actions to mediate environment/climate change issues.”

Posted in Space Policy, Space Solar Power | No Comments »

National Space Society Announces the 2013 Legislative Blitz

Monday, December 17th, 2012

From Sunday, February 24 through Tuesday, February 26, 2013, the National Space Society and the Space Exploration Alliance will be holding the annual grassroots visit to Congress known as the “Legislative Blitz”.

With unprecedented budgetary pressures facing the legislative and executive branches of government, the debate continues about the future direction and funding of our nation’s space programs. More than ever before, it is absolutely critical that the voices of the space advocacy community be heard in this debate.

Come join space advocates from around the country to let Congress know that there is strong constituent support for an ambitious and sustainable path forward. Please REGISTER HERE for the Legislative Blitz. For more information, please contact Rick Zucker at Rick.Zucker@nss.org or 508-651-9936.

Posted in National Space Society, Space Policy, The Space Movement | No Comments »

NSS Urges Congress to “Choose to Explore Space” on 50th Anniversary of JFK’s Historic Speech

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

On September 12, the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s “We Choose to Go to the Moon” speech, members of the National Space Society (NSS) went to Capitol Hill and urged Congress to support our nation’s space program in a Legislative Blitz that was co-organized with Explore Mars, Inc. (see Blitz Talking Points).

Kennedy’s famous speech, given at Rice University on September 12, 1962, issued a challenge to our nation’s people, to American ingenuity, and to our technological prowess in space, to land a man on the Moon before the end of the 1960’s - a goal that was achieved with the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. NSS and Explore Mars adopted the theme of “We Choose to Explore Space” in recognition of Kennedy’s speech, which inspired our entire nation to provide broad support for the development of our space program.

“During our September 12th visit to Capitol Hill, we found broad bi-partisan support for our space program, yet our space program continues to be subject to the budgetary pressures of these difficult fiscal times. With the ever increasing threat of the implementation of further budget cuts, members of the space advocacy community must continue to speak out in order to have their voices heard,” said NSS Executive Vice President Rick Zucker. Mr. Zucker chairs the NSS Policy Committee and is the primary coordinator for such NSS grassroots efforts, including the two-day, annual Legislative Blitz, usually held in late February.

NSS advocated for the following major components of a well-developed U.S. space program:

Development of the next generation of launch vehicles that are mission-enabling and mission-enhancing, while at the same time focused on efficiency, affordability, safety, reliability, and sustainability;

Full support by Congress for the commercial launch industry in its efforts to restore American access to the International Space Station, with NASA focusing its resources on exploration;

Establishment of timelines and goals for future human space activities, including at least one intermediate destination beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), such as an asteroid or the Moon, as well as a plan to land humans on Mars;

Support for robotic missions that will push the boundaries of knowledge and pave the way for human space exploration;

The definition and prioritization by NASA of the most promising advanced technology concepts, which will not only provide the means to explore and develop space, and a sustained human presence in space, but also to develop new applications to improve life on Earth; and

A sustained generational commitment to NASA’s mission that transcends partisan politics and election cycles, as well as provides incentives for private sector participation and international partnerships.

NSS Executive Director Paul E. Damphousse said, “NSS will continue to lead the space advocacy community in calling on Congress and the Administration to work together to leverage the necessary partnerships between the public and private sectors relative to space. We recognize the fiscal times that we live in today, but our future depends on a strong commitment to our nation’s space program.”

These grassroots visits to Washington unite individuals from all walks of life and with diverse political beliefs to meet with members of Congress and/or their staff to stress the importance of space exploration and development.

Posted in National Space Society, Space Policy | No Comments »

Seeking Your Input on NASA’s Plans, Programs and Priorities

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

Here’s your opportunity to contribute to the future direction of NASA’s plans, programs and priorities, in a study directed by Congress and led by the National Academies. This is your space program and your future. What do you have to say about it?

The input form can be found here. Deadline for comments is August 17 and length is limited to 300 words.

In the FY2012 appropriations bill that funds NASA, Congress requested an independent study of NASA’s strategic direction. The study is being conducted by a committee of the National Research Council.

The study statement of task directs the committee to “recommend how NASA could establish and effectively communicate a common, unifying vision for NASA’s strategic direction that encompasses NASA’s varied missions.” Strategic direction can be thought of as the steps NASA needs to take over time to accomplish its vision and mission.

NASA’s Strategic Direction Committee is reviewing a large amount of published material, including the law that created NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, most recently amended in 2010) and NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan, which begins with NASA’s statement of its vision and mission.

The current NASA vision is “to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown, so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind”, and its mission is to “drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth.” The NASA Strategic Plan also states that NASA’s current direction lays “the groundwork for a sustainable program of exploration and innovation. This new direction extends the life of the International Space Station, supports the growing commercial space industry, and addresses important scientific challenges while continuing our commitment to robust human space exploration, science, and aeronautics programs.”

The Strategic Directions Committee is listening to a wide variety of experts in aeronautics and space science and technology, space policy and programs, and communications strategy, and it wants to hear from other stakeholders, including the public, as well.

The website will be available for comments only through August 17, 2012. The response to each question is limited to 300 words so that the committee can efficiently collate and analyze your responses. The responses each person submits, along with the author’s name and institution will be available for viewing at the NASA’s Strategic Direction Committee website.

Posted in NASA, Space Policy | No Comments »

NSS and Explore Mars announce September 12th Congressional Space Blitz

Monday, July 30th, 2012

The National Space Society (NSS) and Explore Mars will be conducting the “We Choose to Explore Space” Congressional Blitz on September 12, 2012 — the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s iconic “We choose to go to the Moon” speech.

According to NSS Executive Director, Paul Damphousse, “Our nation’s space program is at a crossroads in these difficult economic times. We can think of no more fitting date for our members to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill than on the upcoming anniversary of President Kennedy’s famous speech — a momentous call to action which set the United States on a path to the Moon.”

Participants in this legislative outreach event will talk to key congressional offices about strategies for advancing our space program.

“This blitz will take place a little more than a month after the scheduled landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars,” commented Explore Mars Executive Director, Chris Carberry. “We hope that the Curiosity mission and other exciting and important developments in the space sector will lead to bi-partisan support in Congress for a sustainable and goal oriented space program.”

If you are interested in participating in the We Choose to Explore Space Blitz, please contact Rick Zucker at rick.zucker@nss.org. Otherwise, we hope that you will reach out to your members of Congress in other ways, to let them know that there is strong constituent support for an ambitious and well-funded space program.

Posted in National Space Society, Space Policy, The Space Movement | No Comments »

Texas Space Alliance Brings Together Texas Governor and Private Space Leaders

Saturday, July 21st, 2012

Groundbreaking meeting brings Texas closer to becoming Gateway to the Stars!

The Texas Space Alliance (TXA) and the office of the Speaker of the Texas House are pleased to announce the meeting in Austin between Governor Rick Perry and numerous representatives of the nation’s top new commercial space firms. The TXA team brought together representatives from SpaceX, XCOR Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Armadillo Aerospace, NanoRacks, Celestis, and ATK Liberty to talk about the needs of Commercial Space, and what Texas can do to fully embrace and nurture this vital, fledgling new industry.


“We’ll defer to historians on where this goes in the books, but this is the first time ever that representatives from so many commercial (NewSpace) firms have gathered in one place to share their support for our shared vision for the future of Texas in space, and communicate that to the Governor,” said Bob Lancaster, TXA President. “Definitely a significant milestone in the history of Texas.”

Over the past year the TXA, members of the legislature, and the Governor’s staff have begun to forge a new set of partnerships, between federal, state and local governments and those who are ready to step up in the private sector - with the shared goal of lowering costs, creating wealth and jobs and re-casting how Texas “does space”. In the last legislative session TXA partnered with Blue Origin and helped pass a landmark tort reform bill as a first step in this journey. Meanwhile, the Governor’s staff has been working to bring new space firms to Texas and open new facilities here including spaceports. In the next legislative session TXA will build on the steps already taken and the hard work performed by the Governor and his staff to create the tools and find the funds needed to transform Texas into not only the leading “Space State” in America, but a leader in the world.

TXA’s Director of Policy and Government Relations Wayne Rast commented: “This is a meeting that our organization has long sought, and we are very pleased to be able to announce it today as the formal kick-off of our ‘Space for Texas’ campaign. We appreciate both the Governor and the Space business leaders that brought it to fruition, and who share our vision that our Great State can be the leader in Commercial Space. We hope this is the first of many meetings that lead to a thriving space industry and community in our state. Certainly after today it has been made emphatically clear that ‘Texas is Open for Space Business!’”

From the current Texas NewSpace companies; Armadillo, NanoRacks, Celestis, SNC, and ATK, to the recent SpaceX interest to expand from their McGregor engine test site to a possible launch site near Brownsville and last week’s announcement by XCOR that they are moving their R&D to Midland, it is clear commercial space efforts in Texas are on the uptick as these companies see what Texas has to offer. The TXA intends to serve as a catalyst to facilitate and accelerate this process.

TXA’s Rick Tumlinson concluded: “We can make Texas the best state possible for space activities; commercial, educational, and scientific. The future looks bright! New jobs, new breakthroughs and new inspiration for the youth of Texas lie just ahead - and yes, someday we believe there will be rocketships flying from the Lone Star to Mars!”

Posted in Space Policy, The Space Movement | No Comments »

Spurring Economic Growth and Competitiveness Through NASA Derived Technologies

Friday, July 13th, 2012

(Washington, DC) — On July 12 the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing entitled, “Spurring Economic Growth and Competitiveness through NASA Derived Technologies.” The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the direct economic and societal benefits that investment in NASA has generated and to examine how best to ensure that continued investments will maintain a pipeline for future economic growth. Testifying before the Subcommittee were Dr. Mason Peck, Chief Technologist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Mr. George Beck, Chief Clinical and Technology Officer at Impact Instrumentation, Inc.; Mr. Brian Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Zephyr Technology; Mr. John Vilja, Vice President for Strategy, Innovation and Growth at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne; and Dr. Richard Aubrecht, Vice President at Moog Inc.

The technical challenges of NASA’s space exploration, space science, and aeronautics missions have necessitated the development of unique skills and capabilities and required significant technological advances. These advances have contributed directly and indirectly to America’s economic strength, capacity for innovation, and global competitiveness by permeating our everyday lives in ways that are not readily apparent to all Americans.

“This hearing serves as an opportunity to remind the public on the connection between the federal government’s investments in space and the benefits to society,” said Ranking Member Jerry F. Costello (D-IL) in his prepared statement. “These contributions developed important products, such as satellite radio, medical diagnostics and aeronautical advances that have improved the safety, and fuel-efficiency performance of both commercial and military aircraft. In carrying out its missions and developing these technologies, NASA also has inspired young people to enter educational and career paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

In addition, NASA investments have helped fuel the innovation economy by expanding the knowledge base of scientists and engineers who are building the technologies of the future. “Knowledge provided by weather and navigational spacecraft, efficiency improvements in both ground and air transportation, super computers, solar- and wind-generated energy, the cameras found in many of today’s cell phones, improved biomedical applications including advanced medical imaging and even more nutritious infant formula, as well as the protective gear that keeps our military, firefighters and police safe, have all benefitted from our nation’s investments in aerospace technology,” stated Dr. Peck.

Industry also benefits from continued investments in NASA, applying the knowledge used to create new technologies and the derivative technologies themselves to create new commercial opportunities. “NASA has played a very significant role in the development of leading edge technologies,” said Dr. Aubrecht. “These core technologies and knowledge have enabled much economic growth in the USA, not only in aerospace industries but in many other sectors of the economy who benefit from the new technologies. The model of NASA investing in really hard problems and challenging American companies has enabled the development of many core, pre-competitive technologies. This model is an example of where a Federal investment in technology development has an enormous impact on the overall economy.”

Focusing on how NASA could expand partnerships, such as that between the agency and General Motors, which resulted in such innovative technologies as the robotic glove, Rep. Clarke (D-MI) urged NASA to seek opportunities to partner with small businesses, academic institutions, and economic development organizations. Congressman Clarke also questioned witnesses on how start-up companies might engage with NASA. “There are many start-up companies in Detroit, Michigan that are eager to partner with NASA to create jobs,” stated Congressman Clarke. “I look forward to working with NASA to facilitate that collaboration and spur economic growth in metro Detroit.”

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Posted in NASA, Space Policy, Technology | No Comments »

NSS Congratulates SpaceX Team — Calls on Congress to Fully Fund Commercial Crew & Space Technology

Friday, June 1st, 2012

The National Space Society (NSS) congratulates Elon Musk and the entire SpaceX team on the Dragon spacecraft’s historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and its safe return to Earth yesterday.

“The mission was truly spectacular and marks a watershed moment in space history — proving that the commercial sector can successfully service the ISS,” said NSS Executive Director Paul E. Damphousse. “We were especially fortunate to celebrate the Dragon’s grappling at ISS on Friday morning with NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., who was at that very moment addressing an audience of nearly one thousand at NSS’s recent International Space Development Conference (ISDC).”

ISDC, the National Space Society’s annual conference, wrapped up in Washington, DC earlier this week. Administrator Bolden was delivering the opening keynote speech just as Dragon approached and then berthed at the ISS.

The safe return of Dragon and the advancement of commercial cargo and crew programs mark true milestones on the path to enabling a space-faring civilization. NASA’s efforts to advance space technology will also have a significant impact: technologies such as cryogenic propellant storage and transfer (CPST), solar electric propulsion (SEP), and advanced robotics are “mission-multipliers,” and are but a few examples being advanced by NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist. These efforts will help to enable robust space operations while providing dramatic reductions in overall costs.

NSS recognizes that there is still much to be done, and maintains that strong leadership in government will be critical going forward. In this context, NSS calls on the Senate to fully fund the commercial crew development program and space technology lines of the NASA budget as proposed in the President’s FY2013 budget request earlier this year, removing the proposed cuts made by the House in May. While NSS acknowledges the difficult budgetary parameters under which Congress must work, we strongly encourage both Houses of Congress to accede to the President’s request for both commercial crew and space technology during conference later this year.

“The successful conclusion of SpaceX’s COTS-2/3 missions has demonstrated that the commercial sector is now ready to move forward with increased responsibility for servicing ISS, including the development of crew transport capability,” Damphousse said. “If funded and executed correctly, the commercial crew program will end our sole reliance on foreign providers and bring that capability — and the jobs associated with it — back home. We should be preserving funding for these commercial and space technology programs — which are producing tangible successes today, and will continue to do so in the near-term and beyond — rather than shifting it to already well-funded programs that may be years away from providing results.

Posted in Commercial Spaceflight, National Space Society, Space Policy | No Comments »

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