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NSS In the News: Bush To Outline Return
to Moon, Mission to Mars (Florida Today, January 9, 2004)
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"To Touch the Stars": Space Songs CD Released (December 31st, 2003) For each CD purchased, $2.50 will go directly to the NSS as a donation to support Society programs by using this special ordering URL. |
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NSS
Cosponsors February 18, 2004, "Space
at the Crossroads" Conference |
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NSS
in the News: NSS Executive Director Interviewed on 12/19/03 edition
of NPR's "Talk
of the Nation"NSS Executive Director Brian Chase was a guest on the Friday, December 19, edition of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation: Science Friday" to discuss U.S. priorities in space exploration. Click here for additional information on NPR's Talk of the Nation: Science Friday or click here to listen to an archived version of the show. |
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NSS Responds to Washington Post Editorial
(December 9, 2003)
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NSS in the News: Bush Plans for Space
Exploration Still Uncertain
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| Read & Buy Books
from NSS Authors (December 2, 2003) NSS has become a partner with Amazon.com to bring you discounts on your favorite books and other products. What you may not know is that nearly thirty NSS leaders are also noted authors with credits ranging from fiction, historical biographies, children's literature, and reference volumes, just to name a few. You can see a partial list of NSS authors at www.nss.org/books-authors.html and you can also link directly to Amazon.com to find that perfect Christmas gift. And every time you link from the NSS site to purchase items at Amazon.com, part of the proceeds go to NSS to help advance our mission. ![]() Additionally, NSS members can visit Apogee Books and receive a 15% discount. Just input "NSS20" as the key code when you place your order to be eligible for the discount. |
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NSS Joins EARTH & SPACE
2004 as a Conference Sponsor (December 1, 2003) |
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NSS Show Airing Nationally on PBS (October
30, 2003)NSS, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, sponsored the production of "No Boundaries: Our Future in Space" as part of the Voices of Vision series airing on PBS affiliates around the nation. Voices of Vision is a television documentary series that profiles locations, institutions and organizations that are changing the world. By exploring cultures and institutions from around the globe, each 30-minute episode takes us on a journey through time. Voices of Vision unfolds the past, explores the present and looks into the future of fascinating institutions and organizations that help shape the world we share. To find your local PBS affiliate and check local airtimes, go to "Station Finder" at www.pbs.org. For more information about the program, go the Teaching Learning Network home page, select select "Voices of Vision" under "TV Programming" and then select "Program Descriptions" for Show 201--No Boundaries: Our Future in Space). |
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| NSS in the News: Congress Calling for
More Details on the Orbital Space Plane (October 29, 2003) "Congress has called for better cost and schedule numbers, along with work force requirements and retirement dates for the remaining three space shuttles, said Brian Chase, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based, 20,000-member National Space Society. 'They haven't gotten those yet and are understandably concerned,' Chase said Tuesday." Read the full story at the Huntsville Times. |
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| NSS Urges Swift Passage of Commercial
Space Act of 2003 (October 15, 2003) A coalition led by the National Space Society and other space organizations is helping to advance legislation that will clarify and streamline a muddled and uncertain regulatory regime faced by the emerging American suborbital space flight industry. The Commercial Space Act of 2003 (HR 3245) has been approved by the House Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee, but still needs approval by the full Science Committee before going to the floor for a vote. The bill, introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. Ralph Hall (D-TX) and Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), directs the Secretary of Transportation to set up an enabling regulatory regime for commercial human space flight, separate from that under which the FAA governs commercial aviation. The coalition issued a statement to demonstrate its common purpose and objective. An executive briefing on the suborbital industry is available online. You can also read more about the legislation at Spaceref.com. NSS members are encouraged to contact their U.S. Representatives and ask them to cosponsor HR 3245 so that it can continue advancing in the legislative process. You can locate your Member of Congress at www.congress.org. |
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| China Launches First Astronaut (October
14, 2003) China launched its first "taikonaut" into space this evening. NSS issued a statement congratulating China on this accomplishment. Read more at Space.com |
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| NSS Issues Policy Statement on Next
Steps in Space Exploration (October 1, 2003) In light of the recent loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew, many people have asked, “Why send humans into space?” NSS has identified many fundamental reasons why humans should travel beyond the confines of Earth orbit (to the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and beyond), and the Society's new policy statement outlines a vision for that future. |
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Space Elevator
Update (September 25, 2003) More news: |
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| Columbia Shuttle Memorial
Trust (September 16, 2003) On February 1, 2003 America and the world lost seven brave souls who cheerfully gave their all and knowingly risked their lives so that humankind could benefit from the knowledge to be gained by 16 days of scientific research in space. When space shuttle mission STS-107 ended in tragedy over the southwestern United States, the anguish of this loss was felt around the world, The purpose of the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust is to ease this anguish for those who will feel it the deepest and the longest the families of the STS-107 crew and the communities affected by the recovery of the remains of Columbia and her crew. The Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust was created in a unique collaboration of leaders from the U.S. entertainment and space industries. |
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| NSS Members Eligible
for Space Short Course Discounts (September 15, 2003) NSS members can save $50 on the cost for the short course "The U.S. Government Space Sector" to be held Oct. 22-24 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Provide your NSS membership number when registering to qualify for the discount. This two and a half day course, to be held in the Washington area, is intended to provide participants with an understanding of the extent of the U.S. government's involvement in space activities. NSS Executive Director Brian Chase will be one of the speakers for the course. For more details, or to register, visit the GMU Center for Aerospace Policy Research. |
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U.S. Senate Space
Roundtable on Suborbital Space Flight |
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| NSS Member Discount
for 2004 Space Calendar (September 3, 2003) The National Space Society is one of the leading sponsors of "The Year In Space" 2004 Desk Calendar. This popular 144-page spiral-bound weekly calendar is now 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 the NSS discount). |
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| The Space Review:
Is There a Business Case for RLVs? (September 2, 2003) http://www.thespacereview.com/article/44/1 |
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| Orlando Sentinel: Poll
tells NASA to keep sending ships into space (August 31, 2003) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/space/orl-asecnasa31083103aug31,0,2257089.story?coll=orl-home-headlines |
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NSS In the News: Columbia
Accident Investigation Board Report |
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| NSS Urges NASA to Embrace
CAIB Recommendations and Move Forward with Bold Vision for Space Exploration
(August 26, 2003) NSS statement | Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report |
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| Mars So Close, Yet So Far
(August 25, 2003) From Discovery Channel online: With the release this week of the accident investigators' final report on the tragedy, a debate about the future of the U.S. human space program is inevitable. "What the Columbia accident did was bring more public attention to bear on a problem that was already there," said Brian Chase, director of the Washington, D.C.-based National Space Society. "I expect the report will stir discussions for the next year or two in political circles about what we do from here." Rather than an Apollo-type sprint to Mars, the space program probably will take a more incremental approach to future exploration initiatives, he added. "I don't see us going for another Apollo-type. I think what we're looking at is a building-blocks approach to get us there," he said. |
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| Congress Awaiting Columbia
Investigation Report (August 25, 2003) The Houston Chronicle and the Orlando Sentinel report that NASA's budget will be extensively reviewed after the release of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board's final report this week. A broad consensus has emerged that NASA's budget needs to be increased to fund the effort to return the Space Shuttle to flight, but the long-term plan for NASA is uncertain. The report will be available online from the Columbia Accident Investigation Board upon its release on August 26. From the Houston Chronicle: The larger questions over how NASA will pay for the Gehman commission's expensive recommended safety upgrades for the shuttle, including a new escape system and high-tech satellite monitoring from takeoff to landing, will be harder to answer. "It's a moving target," said Brian Chase, a NASA expert and head of the National Space Society. He said those close to the NASA budget process believe the results of the Gehman commission could require Congress to give the agency another $200 million before the year is over. From the Orlando Sentinel: Brian Chase, executive director of the National Space Society, a Washington space-advocacy group, said there is time to outline a long-term vision later. Right now, necessity dictates that NASA and lawmakers focus on the critical needs of the shuttle and space-station program, he said. "There clearly seems to be a consensus building that we've got to make changes in the way we do this, and like any large government organization, you can't turn these things on a dime," Chase said. "It may take several sessions of Congress and several budget cycles before this thing fully evolves." |
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National
Space Society Grieves Loss of Executive Committee Chairman |
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| The Orbital Space Plane:
How Did We Get Here & Where Are We Going? (July 21, 2003) NSS, the U.S. House Aerospace Caucus, the Space Foundation, and Women in Aerospace cosponsored a Capitol Hill panel to discuss the Orbital Space Plane on Monday, July 21, 2003 featuring Congressman Bob Walker (Chairman of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry), former astronaut Dr. Sam Durrance (currently Executive Director of the Florida Space Research Institute) and leading space analyst Phil McAlister (Director, Space & Telecommunications, Futron Corporation). You can watch the panel discussion on C-SPAN or read more on Space.com or SpaceFlight Now. ![]() ![]() Presentations (PDF format): Hon. Bob Walker Dr. Sam Durrance Mr. Phil McAlister |
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| Dennis Tito Ready to Invest
in Suborbital Rocket, But Wary of Gov't. Regulations (July 25, 2003) A joint House-Senate hearing yesterday highlighted that federal regulations are inhibiting investment in suborbital launch vehicles, Brian Berger of Space News reports. |
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| FAA Regulatory Logjam Stifles
Private Rocketeers (July 17, 2003) The emerging suborbital rocket business has to overcome federal government regulatory hurdles to be successful, reports Space.com. NSS is playing a leading role in a coalition to help overcome these hurdles and help foster the growth of the suborbital launch industry. "The U.S. suborbital rocket industry has the potential to develop a world-dominating business base in commercial space tourism, said Brian Chase, executive director of the National Space Society (NSS), and a coalition member....'In the near future, space will be open to the public, changing how citizens view space transportation and exploration. NSS is committed to helping ensure government policies and regulations help, not hinder, this fledgling industry,' Chase said." |
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| Goals For the Next Century:
To The Moon, Mars and Beyond (July 14, 2003) Space.com and Space News report on prospects for the next 100 years of space exploration. " Brian Chase, executive director of the National Space Society here, also expressed confidence that humanity will move beyond Earth orbit within the next 100 years. But whether such milestones are accomplished toward the tail-end of the coming century or sometime sooner, he said, depends in large part on actions taken in the years just ahead...[b]oth Chase and De Tora were emphatic that reducing the cost of reaching orbit is the single most important controllable variable in forecasting the pace of space exploration and exploitation. 'Without really tackling the space access problem, they happen in the latter part of the century,' Chase said." |
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| NSS Leaders Among All-Time
Top 100 Stars of Aerospace and Aviation (June 23, 2003) The late Wernher von Braun, one of the founders of the National Space Society, and current NSS Governors Arthur C. Clarke, Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, and John Glenn were among 100 aerospace leaders to receive an award recognizing their importance in the history of space and aviation. NSS Governor Fred Ordway III accepted medals on behalf of Clarke and the von Braun family during a ceremony held in conjunction with the Paris Air Show last week. More information can be found online from Aviation Week and Space Technology, who sponsored the awards as part of the ongoing Centennial of Flight celebration. |
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| NSS President Inducted
Into Astronaut Hall of Fame (June 22, 2003) Dan Brandenstein, immediate past president of NSS, was inducted into the prestigious Astronaut Hall of Fame today, joining such historical figures such as John Glenn and Bob Crippen. Brandenstein was inducted along with Robert "Hoot" Gibson, Story Musgrave and Sally Ride. Read more on Space.com |
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Space
Adventures Announces First Private Soyuz Flights (June 18, 2003)Commercial space flight took a giant leap forward today with the announcement by NSS Partner Space Adventures, Ltd., the leading space experiences company, of its plans to launch the world's first privately funded mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Space Adventures recently secured a contract with the Russian Aviation & Space Agency (RASA) to fly two explorers to the ISS aboard a new Soyuz TMA spacecraft. The mission, Space Adventures-1 (SA-1), continues the company's record of opening the space frontier to explorers other than government astronauts and cosmonauts. The company brokered the flights for the world's first private space explorers, American businessman Dennis Tito in 2001, and the first African in space, Mark Shuttleworth, in 2002. SA-1 has the potential to establish several world records, and also marks the first private mission to the International Space Station. Read more on CNN, MSNBC, the BBC, or Space.com. |
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| NSS Supports Efforts to
Exempt Model Rocketry from New Federal Regulations (June 11, 2003) The National Space Society is supporting efforts by U.S. Senator Michael Enzi (R-MT) to exempt model rocketry from new federal regulations that could cripple the hobby. NSS sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives this week indicating the importance model rocketry to recruiting new students in the aerospace fields. |
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| Techies
Race to Suborbital Space (June 11,
2003) The $10 million X Prize, to the first team that sends three people 100 kilometers above Earth twice in two weeks, is inspiring a shift from cyberspace to outer space. By Carl Hoffman of Wired magazine. |
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| National Space Education
Workshop Report Released (June 9, 2003) The National Space Society joined a prestigious group of organizations in helping to produce the National Space Education Workshop on March 27 at George Washington University in Washington DC. The Workshop attracted participants from government, academia, business and the nonprofit sector to address the workforce development needs of the aerospace industry. With a whole generation of pioneering engineers and executives soon to reach retirement age, and a continuing shortage of highly-qualified people to replace them, the workshop focused on attracting young people to the industry and improving the quality and quantity of educational opportunities. Participants also received the results of a survey on aerospace educational needs that was prepared as part of the project. A one-page summary of the Workshop findings, and a copy of the complete report, are available for viewing and printing in Adobe Acrobat format. |
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National
Space Society’s 2003 International Space Development Conference
Wraps up in San Jose Among other prominent activities, NSS presented the 2003 Space Pioneer Award to Barry McCool, USN (ret), on behalf of the families of the STS-107 crew. McCool and his wife, Audrey, have been NSS members since 1989 and were the parents of Columbia pilot Willie McCool. More information is available here. The 2004 ISDC is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend
in OklahomaCity, OK.
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| NSS Governor Bob Hope Celebrates
100th Birthday (May 29, 2003) NSS Governor and long-time space advocate Bob Hope turned 100 today, marking a milestone in the life of a true legend who entertained audiences on stage, on the radio, in the movies, and on television. Bob Hope: 100 Years of Memories(NPR) Bob Hope at 100 (USA Today) Reasons to Toast Bob Hope (USAToday) |
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The
Race Into Space |
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| Top3
Issues to Colonize Space. Freeman Dyson, J. Richard Gott, III, and Sid Goldstein share their views |
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Space: The Free-Market
Frontier Book Forum |
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NSS
Legislative Conference Update |
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The latest information on the space elevator is also available in a new book, The Space Elevator: A Revolutionary Earth to Space Transportation System. The authors, Edwards and Eric Westling, discuss the history of the concept, technical design and economic practicalities of building an elevator to space, and, ultimately, the implications of what such a low cost transportation system would mean to society. Based on three years of NASA-funded studies, Edwards and Westling discuss the recent technological advances that now make the space elevator feasible. They conclude by addressing the effects that the space elevator could have on mankind's future from communications and energy to colonizing space. Buy it now from the NSS Online Store. |
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Hobbyspace interviews NSS Executive Director Brian Chase |
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NSS Issues U.S. Space Transportation Policy Recommendations | |
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| NASA Accepting Applications
for Educator Astronaut Program NASA is again providing opportunities for teachers to fly in space to provide a unique chance for teachers and students to learn about space exploration. In announcing the program, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe said the program’s goals are to generate renewed interest in science and mathematics and cultivate a new generation of scientists and engineers. U.S. leadership in scientific exploration and research is “in jeopardy unless we find innovative ways to get students and the entire education community excited about mathematics and science,” said O’Keefe. In December NASA announced that Barbara Morgan, who has previously been selected for the Educator Astronaut Program, had been assigned as a crewmember on a November 2003 Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station. For more information on the program, including how to apply, visit http://edspace.nasa.gov |
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| NATIONAL SPACE SOCIETY AND SPACE ADVENTURES
TEAM UP TO SUPPORT COMMERCIAL SPACE EXPLORATION August 14, 2002 The National Space Society (NSS) and Space Adventures, Ltd., have announced a joint program to promote commercial space exploration and to advance the day when humans will live and work in space. The two organizations will work together on a number of space tourism initiatives including joint conferences and events. The partnership is also intended to provide NSS members with unique benefits and to bring space advocates closer to the next frontier through a number of Space Adventures' experiences. NSS members will receive discounts on select programs such as terrestrial tours, zero-gravity and supersonic jet flights, and sub-orbital space flights. Space Adventures will also operate an NSS members-only tour. Read the complete press release here. |
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Roadmap
for the Settlement of Space PowerPoint Presentation: |
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| Attention Federal Employees
and Friends: Make it your mission to successfully launch the 2003 Combined
Federal Campaign! The Combined Federal Campaign is an at-work charitable fund drive for Federal government employees, military personnel, and postal workers. The CFC is not a single campaign, but a collection of 370 local campaigns operating under a common set of government regulations. The National Space Society is able to participate since we are a recognized 501 (c)3 organization. You can donate to NSS by designating code 2413. CFC DESIGNATION CODE NUMBER: 2413 |
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Tel: (202) 429-1600 -- FAX: (202) 463-8497 -- E-mail: nsshq@nss.org Direct questions about membership matters to: members@nss.org Copyright © 1998-2008, National Space Society |
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H Last updated on Sat, Mar 13, 2004 at 23:20:53