National Space Society

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The National Space Society Welcomes You Our Vision: 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. The Society publishes Ad Astra magazine and maintains an active global network of volunteers and local chapters. Membership and participation are open to all. Join the space movement, and help build a positive future for humanity! Popular Science Magazine: The Case for Populating the Universe (Washington, DC -- March 12, 2011) The March issue of Popular Science magazine provides a feature cover story titled "After Earth: The Case for Populating the Universe — and How We’ll Get There." The 11-page nicely-illustrated article covers a wide range of space exploration and development topics and includes mention of the National Space Society and several other space advocacy organizations. NSS CEO Mark Hopkins is quoted, as is the chairman of the NSS Space Settlement Advocacy Committee, Al Globus. The article is also available online. The article concludes with two piquant quotes: Gregory Benford, physics professor, NASA consultant, and science fiction author, points out that "We Americans think we are basically the Columbus of space, making big discoveries. But I’m afraid we might be the Leif Eriksson. We go, we try a few things, and then it largely gets forgotten." Marc Millis, a NASA propulsion physicist who also runs the Tau Zero Foundation, concludes that colonizing space "isn’t just about survival, it’s about thriving…. What [better] can we do that makes for an exciting future to live in? Something where when you wake up in the morning you’re glad to be alive and a human?" NASA Accepting Application from "INSPIRED" High School Students (Washington, DC -- March 12, 2011) U.S. high school students are invited to participate in NASA’s Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience, or INSPIRE, through an online learning community. INSPIRE is designed to encourage students in ninth through 12th grades to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Applications are being accepted through June 30. NASA will make selections for the program in September. The selected students and their parents will participate in an online learning community with opportunities to interact with peers, NASA engineers and scientists. The online community also provides appropriate grade-level educational activities, discussion boards and chat rooms for participants to gain exposure to careers and opportunities available at NASA. Students selected for the program also will have the option to compete for unique grade-appropriate experiences during the summer of 2012 at NASA facilities and participating universities. The summer experience provides students with a hands-on opportunity to investigate education and careers in the STEM disciplines. More information from NASA. Application for "INSPIRE". National Space Society Update - Space exploration in America is at a crossroads - Support full funding per NASA authorization act (Washington, DC -- March 9, 2011) The future of space exploration in America is at a crossroads, and NOW is our opportunity to be involved in shaping that future! The National Space Society and the Space Exploration Alliance conducted the annual Legislative Blitz in Washington, D.C. from February 27 to March 1. The 2011 Blitz came at a crucial moment. In September 2010, Congress passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (which covers FY 2011, 2012, and 2013). It is now time for Congress to enact legislation that appropriates the required funding in compliance with the Authorization Act. In the current economic climate, however, it is uncertain which path our nation's leaders will now take. More than ever before, it is absolutely critical that the voices of the space advocacy community be heard in the debate over the future of our nation's space program. In over 108 meetings with Congressional offices the Blitz participants carried the message that it is now time for Congress to enact legislation that appropriates the required funding in compliance with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. We championed the position that . . . It is a vital national imperative for the United States to set our nation’s space program on an ambitious, yet sustainable, path. Only by reaching consensus on our long-term goals in space and the short-term steps needed to achieve those goals can our nation reap the enormous technological and economic benefits of space and maintain our competitiveness as a nation. We addressed key talking points on Launch Capacity across all sectors, that Private Sector involvement was a key element, Timelines and Destinations as they foster applications were of critical importance, Technology and Applications which are mission enabling, and Sustainability as an overarching element of space policy. Click on this link for the full text of the Legislative Blitz Talking Points [PDF]. A comprehensive outline of the proposed FY2012 NASA budget and related comparison numbers can be found in the NASA FY2012 Budget Comparison Chart! [PDF] The International Space Development Conference is being held in Huntsville, AL May 18-22, 2011. You can find all the details here ( ISDC 2011 ) If you were unable to attend the Legislative Blitz, but still want to participate, please consider attending ProSpace's March Storm, which is the week after that (March 13-15). NSS Releases Updated Strategic Plan (Washington, DC -- February 5, 2011) The NSS Strategic Plan defines the Five-Year Goals and short-term organizational (external) and operational (internal) objectives of the Society. Includes background information and rationale for the objectives. Also includes the NSS Strategic Implementation Plan, defining the set of approved initiatives for meeting the objectives defined in the Strategic Plan. Read the full NSS Strategic Plan [PDF]. NSS Director Stan Rosen on The Space Show (Washington, DC -- January 6, 2011) NSS Director Dr. Stan Rosen was a guest on The Space Show (Internet radio program December 26, 2010) speaking about using space to improve life on Earth, and revolutionary space applications. Read the full news entry on the NSS Blog. National Space Society and NASA want you! (Washington, DC -- December 29, 2010) NASA is seeking applications from graduate students for the agency's new Space Technology Research Fellowships. Applications are being accepted from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of graduate students interested in performing space technology research beginning in fall of 2011. The Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) is interested in attracting graduate students that are committed to developing disruptive technologies for the aerospace sector and to being part of NASA's technological future by working on high-priority technologies to sustainably explore space, and who are interested in pursuing NASA's Grand Challenges. The Space Technology Grand Challenges are an open call for cutting-edge technological solutions that solve important space-related problems, radically improve existing capabilities or deliver new space capabilities altogether. The challenges are centered on three key themes: (1) Expand human presence in space, (2) Manage in-space resources, and (3) Enable transformational space exploration and scientific discovery. This is a real opportunity to further our shared goals and help make the future we wish to see come to pass. The deadline for submitting fellowship proposals is Feb. 23. Information on the fellowships, including how to submit applications, is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/grants/NSTRF.html. Are you in graduate school or hope to be this fall and are looking for research ideas? The National Space Society website and access to our leadership team can be invaluable resources. Contact gary.barnhard@nss.org or 202-429-1600 for more information. NASA FY 2011 Appropriations update (Washington, DC -- December 23, 2010) The House of Representatives and the Senate passed, and the President has signed a short term continuing resolution that will fund all government operations including NASA until March 4, 2011 in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations. Since the funding bill contained no anomolies with respect to NASA funding required to reconcile the differences between the prior appropriations and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 which is the current law of the land, expenditures which are construed to conflict are suspended until further legislative action is taken. The implications of this are still being worked out by all concerned. All the more reason that we need everyone that we can to join us for the legislative blitz February 27 - March 1, 2011. Additional details and analysis to follow . . . NSS Congratulates SpaceX on Successful Falcon 9/Dragon Orbital Test Flight (Washington, DC 20005 -- December 8, 2010) The National Space Society congratulates SpaceX on the successful Falcon 9/Dragon Orbital Test Flight. This successful completion of this milestone hastens the day when Commerical Orbital Transportation Services to the International Space Station will transition from concept to operational reality. See additional stories in the http://blog.nss.org NSS Calls on Congress to Fully Fund NASA in accordance with NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (Washington, DC -- November 29, 2010) Update -- December 9, 2010 -- The House of Representatives passed a full year continuing resolution that would fund NASA essentially in accordance with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 with some changes. In late September 2010, after many months of debate, Congress passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. This three-year authorization demonstrated a bipartisan, cooperative effort on the part of both the House and the Senate to provide a framework for engaging the Executive Branch in a comprehensive dialog on the future of NASA. On October 11, 2010, the bill was signed into law by the president. In an era when such strong bipartisan agreement is rarely seen, the overwhelming support on both sides of the political aisle for our nation's space program and for the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 reaffirmed our nation's strong commitment to a space program that is dynamic, engaging, and sustainable. Although the compromise embodied in this legislation is not without risk to the ultimate success of the U.S. human spaceflight program, it nevertheless provides guidance to the Executive Branch and a path forward. It is now incumbent upon Congress, the Administration, NASA, commercial concerns, and non-governmental organizations to work together to implement both the spirit and the letter of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. It is now time to enact legislation that appropriates the required funding in compliance with the Authorization Act. Read the full press release here [PDF file]. NSS Announces the Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative (Washington, DC -- November 4, 2010) Video of the entire press conference here. Press Kit is available at http://nssdocs.xisp.net/nsswiki1/KalamNSS Read Archived News Items

Help Us Make 2011 a Successful Year National Space Society Blog: Popular Science Magazine: The Case for Populating the Universe NASA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM ?INSPIRED? HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Progress NASA Budget for 2012 Astrobotic Technology Signs SpaceX Contract for Lunar XPrize Mission Space Book Reviews Mission Blog: NSS Mission Blog back online Following Discovery, STS-133 Shuttle launch dates still uncertain STS-133 no earlier than Feb 3 STS-133 postponed to Nov 30 NSS Chapters News: ISDC 2010 - Last chance Space Exploration Day NYC - Grand Central Space Walk ISDC 2010 FYI - Spaceport Groundbreaking

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