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!

Space Community Gathers at National Space Society's ISDC 2009

(Washington, DC -- June 17, 2009)

The 2009 International Space Development Conference took place May 27-31 at the Omni Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.  The National Space Society's flagship event joined NSS members with key players in the civil, commercial, and entrepreneurial space communities for five days of presentations, workshops, and networking.

High-definition recordings of many sessions are available online at SpaceVidCast.com.

DVDs of the sessions can be purchased by contacting Dennis Whipple.

Read the full News Release.

National Space Society Applauds Nomination of Charles Bolden and Lori Garver to lead NASA

(Washington, DC -- May 26, 2009)

Garver served 9 years as Executive Director of the National Space Society. NSS is pleased to congratulate retired Marine Major General and four-time Space Shuttle Astronaut Charles Bolden on his nomination to the office of NASA Administrator and Lori Garver on her nomination to the office of Deputy Administrator.  President Barack Obama announced both nominations on Saturday May 23, 2009.

"This is an exciting time for NASA and the space industry as a whole," said Mark Hopkins, Senior Vice President of NSS.  "NASA is rebuilding its human exploration capabilities and the private sector is making real progress toward commercial access to space. Garver understands the importance of both. Bolden has the hands-on experience necessary to guide NASA into the next phase of its mission. We look forward to interacting with Garver and Bolden as they make decisions about the next steps toward a spacefaring future." See full press release.

International Space Development Conference featured on The Space Show

(Washington, DC -- May 3, 2009)

The upcoming May 28-31 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in Orlando, Florida, was the topic of The Space Show internet radio program featuring ISDC Chair Tim Bailey and NSS Senior Operating Officer Mark Hopkins. A recording of the entire program is available online here.

Peter Kokh granted 2009 Gerard K. O’Neill Award for Space Settlement Advocacy

(Washington, DC -- March 4, 2009)

The National Space Society Awards Committee is pleased to announce that longtime space movement activist and editor of the Moon Miners’ Manifesto, Peter Kokh, is the winner of the 2009 Gerard K. O'Neill Award for Space Settlement Advocacy. Peter was the co-founder (in 1986) and is current president of the Lunar Reclamation Society (NSS Chapter) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is also currently president of the Moon Society, an NSS affiliate organization. He is the editor and principal writer for the Moon Miners' Manifesto, which has been published monthly continuously since December, 1986, which is now up to issue 222 in its 23rd year of publication, and which is the longest running printed pro-space publication of its type. Peter has also previously served on the NSS Board of Directors and was chair of the International Space Development Conference held in Milwaukee in 1998. He is currently a member of the NSS Board of Advisors, and maintains an extensive web site for his chapter.

NSS Comment on NASA FY 2010 Budget

(Washington, DC -- February 27, 2009)

The National Space Society (NSS) was informed that President Obama has requested $18.7 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for Fiscal Year 2010, an increase of $900 million over the current year's budget.  The Recovery Act (stimulus bill) passed earlier this month provided an additional $1 billion to NASA.

"We are pleased that one of the four budget priorities for NASA includes returning Americans to the Moon," Greg Allison, NSS Executive Vice President, said.  "This is a worthy goal for the world's leading space agency.  It will challenge a new generation of American scientists and engineers, open vast new resources for economic development, and drive improvements in technology."

Read the full News Release.

Call for Applications for the Position of NSS Executive Director

(Washington, DC -- February 18, 2009)

Having completed his service on the space portion of Obama's transition team, George Whitesides, now our former Executive Director, has left NSS to take a job at NASA. George has done a magnificent job, as is indicated by the numerous glowing words of thanks that he received from NSS leaders. While he will be missed, his new position of influence will greatly help NSS move toward our goals.

Consequently, NSS has started the process of collecting resumes from those interested in becoming our next Executive Director. If you wish to be considered, please email your resume to Mark.Hopkins@nss.org AND (for backup purposes) to Bill.Gardiner@nss.org. If you know someone who you think might make a good candidate, please contact them and suggest they email their resume.

Potential candidates may obtain information about NSS by reading our Philosophy Statement (which includes our Vision and Mission Statements) and our five-year Strategic Plan, as well as by perusing our website in general.

Remembering space pioneer Konrad K. Dannenberg

(Washington, DC -- February 17, 2009)

Space pioneer Konrad K. Dannenberg passed away on the 16th of February 2009 at the age of 96.  He was not only one of the last of Wernher Von Braun's original rocket team, but one of the most active publicly.  Dannenberg's career spanned the entire space age.  He inspired many young people to seek careers in space, science, and engineering.  Many engineers were inspired to excellence by the example Dannenberg established both in his areas of technology development and public service. Konrad Dannenberg set the bar that we should all strive to meet.  Those of us that were honored to know Konrad will dearly miss him.

Read the full News Release.

New NSS Blog Seeking Additional Bloggers -- blog.nss.org

(Washington, DC -- February 10, 2009)

The National Space Society now has a new blog site, thanks to the hard work of member Jim Plaxco.  Jim, who is Chair of the Web Oversight Committee, will serve as the first blog administrator.  Karen Cramer Shea is the editor and is seeking more writers.  Karen is striving to ensure something is posted everyday of interest to NSS members.

Check out the new NSS Blog at blog.nss.org.

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