NSS Online Report Issue #19 / November 2001
Inside this issue:
- New NSS Roadmap Barrier Forum
- NSS Member Discount for 2002 Space Calendar
- 2001 Space Exploration Roundtable November 10
- Vote Today for the 2002 Heinlein Award
- Ad Astra Editor Gives Talk About “Space and the War on Terrorism”
- NASA Ames Seeks Volunteers for Spaceflight Countermeasures Study
- Ad Astra Editor’s TV Interview to Air in November
- “Invest in Space Now” Letters Delivered to Congress
- Heroes Helping Heroes Auction
- Online Renewal is Available at www.nss.org
NEW IN 2002 – NSS Online Chats – Watch this space for further information.
NEW NSS ROADMAP BARRIER FORUM
A new NSS Forum focused on the Lack of Public Interest as a Barrier
to the Settlement of Space has been established at www.nss.org/roadmap. The
Forum provides an opportunity for interested NSS Members to communicate via
the Internet, monitor and discuss the status of the Barrier and provide input
on potential volunteer action to assist in the removal of the Barrier.
Nancy Atkinson has been appointed to lead the Public Interest Forum.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Ms. Atkinson is an educator in the
public schools. She also writes, prepares curriculum and instructs students
in space-based activities at the Science Museum of Minnesota, including
conducting space shuttle mission simulations, and is a reporter for SPACE.com.
The Public Interest Forum is expected to focus on identifying and
recommending public relations, education, volunteer activities, and events
(national and local community) that could assist the National Space Society
in heightening public interest in human settlement of space. It joins the
other Forums that began online earlier this year: Launch Technologies,
Healthcare Issues, and International Treaties. Participation in each of
these forums is open to all NSS members. For more information and to
register and participate go to www.nss.org/roadmap.
NSS MEMBER DISCOUNT FOR 2002 SPACE CALENDAR
The National Space Society is one of the leading sponsors of “The
Year In Space” 2002 Desk Calendar. This popular 152-page spiral-bound weekly
calendar is available to NSS members nationwide at discounts of 27% to 47%.
Featuring images and information from the past, present and future of space
exploration and astronomical discovery, this colorful calendar is normally
sold for $14.95, but NSS members can purchase one copy for $10.95; 2 or more
@ $9.95; 10 or more @ $8.95; 36 or more @ $7.95. Shipping is free on all
U.S. orders, but be sure to order early because supplies are limited. “The
Year In Space” can be purchased online at http://www.YearInSpace.com
(select “NSS” next to the Sponsor Discount field on the order form), or by
calling (800) 736-6836 anytime (mention NSS discount).
2001 SPACE EXPLORATION ROUNDTABLE NOVEMBER 10
The Space Exploration Roundtable, sponsored by the Chicago Space
Frontier L5 Society, Chicago Society for Space Studies and the Illinois North
Shore chapters of the National Space Society, will be held on November 10,
2001 in Schaumburg, Illinois. The event will feature representatives from
the National Space Society, the Mars Society, and NASA. The panelists will
explore the present state and future prospects for space exploration.
Admission to this series of programs is free and open to the general
public. The roundtable is separated into three sessions, each lasting
approximately 50 minutes. Feel free to attend any one or all three of the
sessions:
Session 1: The Future of Robotic Exploration
This session will discuss the current state and future use of robotic probes
to explore our solar system. Topics include the “Faster, Better, Cheaper”
model, current & future missions, and robotic technologies.
Session 2: Commercial Space and Space Tourism
This session will explore the commercial opportunities of space. Topics
include potential space industries, solar power satellites, space tourism and
space hotels, the role of government, and other relevant issues.
Session 3: A Human Future in Space
This session will focus on the human element of space exploration and the
future establishment of bases on the Moon and Mars, and points beyond.
Confirmed panelists for the roundtable include:
- moderator Jim Plaxco, NASA JPL, Astrodigital
- Matt Lowry, Mars Society
- Kevin Caruso, NASA JPL, and author of the book “Back to the Moon”
- Paul Gunty, NASA JPL
- Bill Higgins, NASA JPL, National Space Society
- Jeffrey Liss, Senior Vice President of the National Space Society
- Karen Mermel, National Space Society
The Space Roundtable will be held in Ballroom G of the Hyatt Regency
Woodfield, located at 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg IL. The three-hour event
begins at 9:00 am. For more information, visit
http://www.astrodigital.org/srt.html or contact Jim Plaxco via email at
jplaxco@astrodigital.org.
VOTE TODAY FOR THE 2002 HEINLEIN AWARD
The Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award honors those individuals who
have made significant, lifetime contributions to the creation of a free,
spacefaring nation. Their contributions can be in any form – scientific,
technical, engineering, theoretical, written (fiction or nonfiction),
political, philosophical, visionary, public relations, mass media, economic
or business, etc., or a combination of the above.
The Award is named after science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein in
memory of his contributions to the pro-space movement. The 9th award will be
presented at the 21st International Space Development Conference in Denver,
Colorado, in May 2002. Living individuals, or those who have been deceased
less than three years prior to the starting date of the convention (May 23,
2002), and of any nationality, are eligible for this award. Previous award
winners are Dr. Gerard K. O’Neill, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Dr. Wernher von
Braun, Gene Roddenberry, Dr. Robert H. Goddard, Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Dr. Carl
Sagan, and Neil Armstrong; these individuals are not eligible for this award
again.
All current NSS members in good standing are eligible to vote for
this award. A ballot was included with the September/October edition of Ad
Astra, and one is included here. For more information, or to obtain another
ballot, email NSSPublicAffairs@aol.com.
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ROBERT A. HEINLEIN MEMORIAL AWARD BALLOTPlease indicate your choice for the recipient of the 2002 Heinlein Memorial
Award by writing in the names of up to three individuals, in order of
decreasing importance. You may not vote for the same individual more than
once on this ballot.First Choice (4 points)
__________________________________________________________Second Choice (2points)
________________________________________________________Third Choice (1point)
___________________________________________________________Voter ID: Member Name and NSS number:
_________________________________________Optional: I enclose a small donation of $_____ to help defray the cost of
this and future Heinlein awards. Please make checks payable to the National
Space Society.Mail ballot to: NSS Awards Committee
The National Space Society
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Suite 201
Washington, D.C. 20003THE DEADLINE FOR MAILING BALLOTS WILL BE MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2002. Any
ballot postmarked after this date will not be included in the vote. Please
mail your ballot right away.
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AD ASTRA EDITOR GIVES TALK ABOUT ‘SPACE AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM’
Ad Astra Editor Frank Sietzen Jr. spoke to the Northern Virginia
Veterans of Foreign Wars on Oct. 15th about the role of space in the war
against terrorism. The members of the Northern Virginia VFW were interested
to learn what space systems developed by NASA or DOD could be used in the war
against terrorism. Sietzen spoke about what types of communication,
navigation, and reconnaissance satellites were helping our troops in the war
effort, and what types of space research could be applied to protecting
firemen and rescue workers. The upcoming issue of Ad Astra contains fresh
articles on these subjects, including Marianne Dyson’s article on space suit
technology as applied to rescue workers’ protection.
NASA AMES SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR SPACEFLIGHT COUNTERMEASURES STUDY
NASA is looking for people willing to spend a month in bed, as part
of a study of how long-term space flight affects the human body. The
upcoming study, which will begin in January 2002, will require that
volunteers lie in beds tilted head-down at a six-degree angle for 30 days, 24
hours a day. Bed rest in the six-degree head-down tilt position is
considered the best Earth model to simulate the effects of prolonged
microgravity on the human body.
The goal of the project is to sponsor space flight and ground-based
analog campaigns that facilitate evaluation of promising countermeasures for
future flight validation. A countermeasure is a drug, exercise or other
intervention that minimizes the changes that occur during space flight and
that impede normal functioning after people return to Earth.
Male and female volunteers between the ages of 25 and 55 are needed
for the study. Candidates must be non-smokers in good health and not
participating in a highly competitive or rigorous exercise program. They
should have no history of cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disease or
hernia. Female volunteers must not be pregnant. In addition to bed rest,
these studies will involve a standardized battery of integrated physiological
and cognitive tests to measure changes in physical and mental performance
before, during, and after bed rest.
For more information about becoming part of this space station-
related study, contact Heather Wilson at (650) 604-5551, or e-mail:
hwilson@mail.arc.nasa.gov.
AD ASTRA EDITOR’S TV INTERVIEW TO AIR IN NOVEMBER
On Oct. 10th Ad Astra Editor, Frank Sietzen Jr. taped a TV special
for Washington area PBS affiliate WETA on youngsters who wish to become space
and science journalists. The program, sponsored by the Challenger Centers,
will air in November. It includes shots of NSS HQ staff and will feature a
segment on how Ad Astra is assembled, and its pool of writers.
“INVEST IN SPACE NOW” LETTERS DELIVERED TO CONGRESS
On October 11, Sherry Wilson and Alison Schutt delivered hundreds
of “Invest in Space Now Act” support letters to Rep. William Thomas, Chairman
of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Act, introduced in June by Rep.
Ken Calvert, a Republican Congressman for California, would provide tax
investment credits to entrepreneurial space firms that seek to build new
space launchers and to the investors in those entrepreneurial companies.
Thanks to all members who returned their support letters and financial
contributions – your voices have been heard on Capitol Hill!
HEROES HELPING HEROES AUCTION
The first Heroes Helping Heroes auction has come to a close. As a
direct response to your support, collectSPACE received hundreds of bids,
thousands of visitors to the Heroes Helping Heroes site, and most importantly
raised $12,686.10 for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund!
ONLINE MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL IS AVAILABLE AT www.nss.org
Please remember that online membership renewal is always available at
www.nss.org. This free service allows you to quickly and securely renew your
membership using a credit card while saving postage and mailing time. Don’t
delay renew online today!
Remember your friends and family can also join the Society by using the
secure online membership form at www.nss.org
WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY?
Every NSS member can support the NSS Mission every day:
1. Share the Vision with everyone you meet.
2. Be a voter and communicate with your legislators.
3. If you invest, consider space-related companies.
4. Invite others to join NSS.
