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NSS
Survey Results
By Lauren LaRue
Answering the seven-question, annual, member-only survey distributed in
late March, National Space Society members called for more advanced research
goals and progressive development beyond Earth orbit.
Many responses alluded to a strong interest in further lunar exploration and
settlement. When asked what goal should be NASA’s top priority for the
future, 31% indicated that they would like NASA to “carry out human spaceflight
beyond Earth’s orbit.”
A return to the moon could be driven by various purposes, as indicated by the
numerous respondents’ comments. Some called for “a lunar base for
launch of deep space vehicles to other planets,” while others advocated
a “scientific and permanent base on our moon.”
NSS members surveyed also endorsed the infusion of commercial business into
the space program. Twenty-four percent reported that they think NASA should
become a “partner with the Air Force and private industry to develop low-cost
space launch vehicles.” Doing so would facilitate opening the market to
space tourism and other aerospace commercial applications. However, the majority
of NSS members do not want complete privatization. Only 16% selected the commercialization
of NASA’s facilities as the agency’s top priority.
In order to emphasize the importance of lunar and technology development, 29%
of NSS members indicated that the NSS’s primary agenda should be to “utilize
every method possible to get the NSS message of future space vision before the
public at large.” 26% of members also felt that extensive efforts to educate
new members of Congress remain imperative.
More specifically, one member stated that the NSS should “promote returning
to the moon and establishing a colony for good.” Another suggested extending
the education to even larger arenas, such as to the schools. “Educate the
school children and win them over as space advocates and establish space lobby,”
commented a member.
The society members did, however, underscore their faith in NASA when only 15%
suggested that the Bush administration devise a new space management structure.
In light of the ongoing International Space Station on-orbit construction, 71%
of members indicated that the station should focus upon innovative science research,
which can be achieved by “a comprehensive station science plan to be implemented
by scientists and entrepreneurs.”
For scientific purposes, members recommend using the station as a science lab
as the first step toward establishing a research station on our moon. Other
members also urged the use of the station for commercial and entrepreneurial
purposes, including space tourism and private research.
One member advised that NASA needs to “develop the ISS to be more suitable
to tourists like Tito” and another added, “share the space station
operation between business, government, research firms, and universities.”
Very few members, only 4%, advocated cutting ISS funding and the consequential
redirection of the money toward other human space flight endeavors.
Following the failures of the Mars Polar Lander and Orbiter, an overhaul of
NASA’s Mars mission has been mandated. More advanced Mars and solar exploratory
missions have yet to be funded. Nonetheless, 60% of members expressed that they
want NASA to “receive the full funding for the advanced Mars mission that
was announced in December 2000 by shifting existing resources to robotic missions,”
while only 23% supported the probing of the locations in the solar system which
might harbor liquid water.
Others recommended that NASA needs to forego Mars and instead concentrate on
the moon, such as “establishing a base” and “installing lunar
colonies.” Only 5% advocated the shifting of exploration to sites in the
solar system such as Pluto.
Another NASA program, the Space Launch Initiative, was established to develop
technology ideal for the next generation of reusable launch vehicles. Following
the cancellation of the single stage RLV program, the X-33, NASA has focused
upon other configurations. However, 42% of NSS members supported the single-stage
approach, while 37% remained unsure, and 21% preferred a 2-stage method.
NASA’s original reusable launch vehicle, the space shuttle, just celebrated
its 20th anniversary. In accordance with the attempts at developing a new RLV,
a strong majority, 70%, recommended the “orderly phase-out of the Shuttles
in favor of a new generation of re-usable vehicles,” while 4% supported
“(the expansion of) the program through the construction of another orbiter.”
The answers to these seven questions all conclusively show that NSS members
continue to advocate innovative lunar and commercial space development along
with forward-looking scientific research.
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NYC ChapterPrepares Scouts
NYC Chapter Chief Elaine Walker takes the “Case for Space” to the
Boy Scouts during summer 2001. Elaine (below) also lectures on the evolution
of the solar system.
