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2001 International Space Development Conference . . . the odyssey began!
2001 International
Space Development Conference
. . . the odyssey began!
Between 24th and 28th May, the Hilton Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was
the site of the National Space Society’s 20th Annual International Space
Development Conference. With much appreciated support from SAIC, Orbital, the
U.S. Department of Energy, SGI, Boeing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
and our Honorary Chairman Harrison Schmitt, the conference was a successful
exploration of where we have been in space and where we are going today and
in the future. The six days of the ISDC, beginning with special symposia on
the first day, had themes which gradually lifted off from our home to encompass
a wider world: Leaving Earth, International Space Stations & Earth Orbital
Activities, The Moon and Mars, and finally, The Outer Planets and Beyond (Ad
Astra).
These topics brought in a great diversity of speakers, vendors, and exhibits,
of course in addition to the many excited participants who attended the ISDC.
Certainly, everyone walked away with some new thoughts and perspectives about
the universe we live in. Some of the interesting seminars featured at the conference
included: a Space Development Entrepreneurial Seminar chaired by George Friberg
of Technology Ventures Corp.; “Space Law” chaired by C. Heather Walker
of Wiley, Rein & Fielding; “Lunar Geology” chaired by the Honorary
Chairman Harrison Schmitt, an Apollo 17 Astronaut now at the University of Wisconsin;
“Advanced Launch Concepts and Technologies” chaired by Bradley C.
Edwards of Los Alamos National Laboratory; an Asteroid/Comet Workshop chaired
by Andy Smith of the Safety Research Institute; “Space Tourism/Entertainment”
chaired by Angie Bukley of Aerospace Corp.; and “Space Medicine” chaired
by Eleanor O’Rangers of AstraZeneca LLC. There were also meetings of NSS
committees to review and plan activities.
On Saturday and Sunday, a Students’ Program was run, involving children
between seven and fourteen in a variety of projects, demonstrations, and presentations.
Students could listen to talks about the space station, learn about robots and
electronics, or create model rockets and a Mars Colony, among myriad other things.
As a part of the same Students’ Program, attendees of the conference could
themselves become students again and go to a variety of workshops on 25, 26,
and 27 May about space outreach and education. In addition, there was a very
interesting NASA moon rock certification course that enabled people to present
moon rocks for school programs.
A number of tours took place at ISDC, showing many people the fascinating aspects
of the surrounding area—including historic Santa Fe, the Satellite Control
Facility, Solar Tower, and National Atomic Museum at Kirtland AFB, and the Very
Large Array. There was a mesmerizing stargazing session in the Manzano Mountains
Thursday evening and a model rocket and high power rocket launch on Saturday
morning that did not fail to thrill observers.
Many distinguished speakers appeared at the 2001 ISDC to speak at luncheons
and dinners throughout the conference. One of these banquets was “Hail
Columbia: 20th Anniversary of STS-1,” which presented the commander of
the first shuttle flight, John Young, and members of the STS-1 mission control
team celebrating that first launch and the achievements of the shuttle program
so far, and looking ahead to the future of space flight. Buzz Aldrin spoke at
a Space Tourism luncheon, giving a perspective on recent events in this area
and explaining the goals of his ShareSpace Foundation, which is committed to
making space tourism real. In addition to these and other great speakers, we
were very excited to have a dinner devoted to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Joining
us were Keir Dullea, who played astronaut Dave Bowman, Dan Richter, who played
Moonwatcher the ape man, Frederick Ordway III, the technical advisor, Robert
McCall, space artist, and by videotape, author Arthur C. Clarke. The audience
enjoyed engaging discussions from our speakers as well as behind-the-scenes
footage of the film.
The final banquet was our 20th Annual National Space Society Awards Banquet,
hosted by Greg Allison, NSS Executive Director Pat Dasch, and NSS President
Dan Brandenstein. The National Space Society was proud to present the Wernher
von Braun Memorial Award to Donna Shirley, Assistant Dean of Engineering for
Advanced Program Development at the University of Oklahoma. This award, which
recognizes those who possess and promote an ideal for the future of space flight
and can motivate cross-boundaries teamwork, was presented to Ms. Shirley due
to her impressive work with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and her reflection
of Dr. von Braun’s vision. Devoting herself to space exploration for 32
years at JPL, she has worked with Cassini and Mariner 10, led the Sojourner
rover team, and managed the Mars Exploration Program. Currently teaching at
Oklahoma, she is also the official Spokesperson for the Mars Millennium Project
for K-12 students. NSS also awarded Space Pioneer Awards in the areas of Science/Engineering,
Media, and Activist of the Year at the Banquet. Dr. Robert W. Farquhar and the
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Team were awarded the honor for Science and Engineering
in recognition of the team’s successful study of the asteroid Eros and
the amazing (and unplanned) landing as well. Mr. Jason Jenkins, the Lead Power
System Engineer, accepted the award on behalf of Dr. Farquhar and the entire
NEAR team. Mr. Leonard David, a Senior Space Writer for space.com and director
of Space Data Resources & Information, was given the Space Pioneer Award
for Media; in his wide-reaching career, he has worked with NSS, NASA, President
Reagan, and writes freelance work that can be found in many space science publications.
The recipient of this year’s Space Pioneer Award Activist of the Year is
recognized by many in the NSS and is best known for the band she leads, ZIA.
Elaine Walker is the Region 8 NSS Chapters organizer as well as a musician who
brings space-themed music to many audiences.
Our NSS Chapters themselves were honored as well at the Awards Banquet, with
awards in the areas of Chapter Excellence, Special Merit, and Meritorious Service.
Those recognized for Chapter Excellence are the best examples of the NSS vision.
The Special Merit Awards are given to the chapters who demonstrate exceptional
quality and effectiveness. Chapters with great and consistent dedication to
their purposes are awarded the Meritorious Service Award. The Chapter Excellence
Awards were presented as follows: Chapter of the Year Award, Illini Space Development
Society; Education Award, Orange County Space Society; Chapter Newsletter Award,
Space Nursing Society. Eight chapters were recognized for Special Merit Awards:
Explorer Award, Oregon L5 Society; Community Service Award, Wichita Chapter
of NSS; Publicity and Media Award: Middle Tennessee Space Society; Most Improved
Chapter Award, National Space Society of New York City; Political Activism Award,
NSS/Western Spaceport Chapter; Public Outreach Award, OASIS; Service to the
Chapters Award, Lunar Reclamation Society; Service to the Society Award, Austin
Space Frontier Society. Chapters which received Meritorious Service Awards are:
Public Outreach, Baltimore Metro Chapter NSS; Publicity and Media, DC-L5 Society
and NSS Atlanta; Community Service, Central Coast Space Frontier Society; Education
and Service to the Society, San Antonio Space Society; Recruitment of NSS Membership,
United States Air Force Academy Chapter. NSS sincerely gives its appreciation
and thanks to our Most Promising New Chapter, the DRG (German Space Society).
All in all, I think we can count this year’s conference an enlightening
adventure, and this year as truly marking the beginning of an odyssey. Be sure
to save 23-27 May on your calendar next year and register for ISDC 2002: Settling
the Solar System!
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Chapter Awards
Report by Greg Allison
Former Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill was famous for saying “All
politics are local.” Surely the glitter and charm lie at the centers of
power and celebrity, such as Washington DC — but the rubber meets the road
in the streets and byways of America and in communities around the globe. The
heartbeat of our enthusiasm lies in both cities and rural communities.
The chapters are the homes of the Minute Men of our Revolution — the Revolution
of spreading civilization to the stars! Chapters are the troops ready to take
the dream to the people, the civil engineers of taking concrete steps to enable
the processes that will spread humanity to the cosmos.
Chapter meetings promote the merging of minds which further unfold the vision
for a grand future for humanity. Several hundred, maybe even a thousand, chapter
displays promoting space development have been set in movie theaters and malls
over the past 26 years. More than two thousand public lectures and debates have
shaped and promoted the dream. Quite a number of chapters have produced dozens
of videos, many of which have been aired on cable access television. Chapter
activists frequent local television and radio broadcast. Newspapers run articles
on their activities. Chapters have helped reshape the way space is seen in many
local communities.
Chapters have in the past collected tens of thousands of signatures on petitions
calling for more rapid space development. Chapters have showed up in force and
staged a major pro-space demonstrations at political conventions. Chapter newsletters
go out into the communities spreading the good news for the future. Many chapters
help with student science fairs and classroom activities which teach the importance
of space exploration and development. Inspired children often inspire parents.
Chapter-run International Space Development Conferences (ISDCs) and regional
conferences have provided the glue which has held our NSS activist community
together. These events have reached out into numerous communities and provided
a positive face for the NSS.
Chapters are not content just to influence public, governmental, and corporate
policy. A number of chapters are researching the technologies for space settlement
and preparing missions, and even flight vehicles intended to penetrate space.
Some chapters have simply decided not to wait on others. They are blazing their
own pathways to space! The Orange County Space Society launched remains of one
of their chapter members, Charlie Carr, into orbit last year. Chapters have
sponsored and assisted student payloads which flew in Space Shuttle Get-Away-Special
(GAS) Canisters. The Clear Lake Chapter in Houston Texas is currently planning
to launch a student experiment on a space shuttle GAS can. It’s a really
neat experiment. The students are developing an environmentally friendly laundry
washing machine to operate in orbit. They plan to implement an ultrasonic process
employing lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar, but not together! This is valid
basic research. NASA had tried to develop a washing machine for the International
Space Station, and had to give it up. This is something needed on orbit right
now! Chapters have designed space habitats, and space hotels. Some NSS chapters
have even performed research under NASA contract, or entered cooperative agreements
with NASA.
Chapters often take advantage of local events to promote the NSS an our vision
for settling space. Last Labor Day weekend 6000 attendees graced the World Science
Fiction Convention in Chicago. Members of the Chicago Space Frontier L5, Chicago
Society for Space Studies, and Illinois North Shore chapters put together almost
70 science programs, including 34 on space and astronomy. They displayed the
NSS placard and copies of Ad Astra at these programs. They also conducted a
town hall meeting. The Philadelphia hosted a hospitality party. These chapters
gathered exhibits from several museums, including JPL and set up NSS tables
with audio visual support, space models and planetary globes. They did an interview
with Fox Network TV, four radio stations, and made eight print sources.
The Lunar Reclamation Society, and the Oregon L5 Society are leading the way
in the study building a civilization on the Moon. The Space Nursing Society
looks at health care and medical research in space. And the rest of the chapters
spread that gospel through local television, radio, and lecture series.
Four years ago HAL5 launched a balloon named the HALO SL-1 hybrid rocket to
36 nautical miles, and into the Guinness Book of World Records, 2000 Millennium
Edition. HAL5 is now looking to launch the HALO SL-3 mission into space. The
rocket is waiting in the wings (pending additional funding) to punch out 70
nautical miles and place the NSS firmly into space. To date this local chapter
program has sung to the tune of $45,000 in funds raised and expended toward
the goals of the HALO Program. It all started on less than half of the surplus
revenue from a chapter run ISDC. The Sacramento L5 chapter is supporting a similar
launch effort by JP Aerospace.
Chapters are the crown jewels of the National Space Society. It is our chapters
that distinguish us from so many other organizations. What can chapters do?
Anything that fits within the realm of their imagination and shear determination.
So far — the limits are UNDISCOVERED! Chapters, I say unto you, reach for
the stars!
I do want to announce some good news for chapters and the NSS.
In the past, many chapters have operated in isolation from each other and the
national organization like random atoms in a bar of iron. Now we have developed
an active Chapters Committee which provides a new avenue for chapters and the
NSS Board of Directors to work together. Now we can envision aligning the atoms
along with their associated magnetic domains to produce a strong unified field
to better accomplish our vision. In short we expect that the sum of the whole
will exceed the sum of the parts.
The Chapters Committee has taken the lead to establish a framework upon which
to rebuild the NSS Phone Tree using the chapter’s regional network of volunteers.
A budget has been set aside for chapter projects. The Foundry at this ISDC was
the initial event to promote, incubate, and judge candidate chapter projects
to receive this funding.
A website has been established which offers free hosting to NSS chapters. The
Chapters Committee is developing an online chat capability through this website
to foster increased communications within the committee, and between chapters
while minimizing expensive teleconference requirements.
And we have produced new NSS banners and plaques for chapter use. Though we
could not produce enough for all of the chapters this year we will distribute
first to some of our most active chapters who are attending this ISDC.
CHAPTER AWARDS
The NSS Chapter Excellence Award is the highest award a chapter can receive.
It is given to chapters whose pursuit of the NSS vision is representative of
the best that our chapters have to offer. This year we have three winners:
This chapter recruited over 30 new NSS members this year. They have had numerous
public programs which have included John Young, Gene Krantz, and George Abbey.
Most notably this chapter has established a research division of their chapter
which is developing a Martian gravity plant growth experiment, and microgravity
research. Last year they flew TWO microgravity experiments on NASA’s KC135
— the vomit Comet. They presented over 56 public presentations this year
to an audience of over 3,500 people. They participate in the University open
house at the University of Illinois. They also exhibit displays at local malls,
which include space games for children with prizes. This year the Chapter of
the Year Award went to the Illini Space Development Society.
Some chapters dream big. Some take big actions. Last year this chapter sent
the remains of one of their members into orbit. The previous year they managed
an exhibit on the Queen Mary, which was sponsored by the Space Tourism Society.
It was the largest space event of its type anywhere in the country that year.
They also conduct two to three public programs per month. A few months ago they
built a full scale replica of a Lunar lander, purchased a replica lunar rover
and shipped them to mainland China, all in a span of 8 weeks. This display travels
China and has Chinese reinacting our lunar moon landing. They even wear the
American flag shoulder patch and plant the American flag. Imagine that, a Communist
Chinese planting an American flag. This year they launched the Traveling Space
Museum Project, which they have spent 5,000 dollars on. This is a traveling
display which goes out to the local schools where they essentially take over
the school for a day. This is an interactive display with components such as
teleoperated rovers and associated lunar and Martian landscapes.
For their Traveling Space Museum Project the Education Award went to the Orange
County Space Society.
This chapter, one of our special interest chapters, is now our largest chapter
with almost 180 members. They have launched an excellent color newsletter with
professional content. The chapter newsletter award went to the Space Nursing
Society.
SPECIAL MERIT AWARDS are given to chapters whose programs show exceptional quality
and effectiveness.
This chapter researches the use of lava tube caverns as sites for lunar settlements.
Much of this work has been performed under contract to NASA. Recently they have
been active processing Clementine lunar data. For their work on this Clementine
lunar data we grant the Explorer Award to the Oregon L5 Society.
This chapter works extensively with area schools and assists tours at the Kansas
Cosmosphere and Space Center. The Community Service Award goes to the Wichita
Chapter of the National Space Society.
This chapter proves that small chapters can do big things. This chapter has
three members. They are in the ninth year of broadcasting a one-hour weekly
television show promoting public awareness of America’s space program.
The publicity and Media Award went to the Middle Tennessee Space Society.
This rather large community once had a strong chapter. It faded away. Then like
the Phoenix of legend it roared back to life. They now have a major program
each month. The Most Improved Chapter Award went to the National Space Society
of New York City.
This chapter has been active writing letters to the congress and White House.
The Political Activism Award went to the NSS Western Spaceport Chapter.
This chapter placed booths at local science fiction conventions, provided public
lectures, and an active community speakers bureau. For Public Outreach we recognize
OASIS.
For providing newsletter services to a large number of chapters the Service
to the Chapters Award went to the Lunar Reclamation Society.
This chapter is very active politically. Members participate in state level
political caucuses. They also provide a unique service to the National Space
Society. They have created and managed our flagship awards: the Heinlein Award
and the Von Braun Award. The Service to the Society Award went to the Austin
Space Society.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS are given to chapters that show consistent quality
in their activities. This year’s winners were:
Baltimore Metro Chapter NSS For Public Outreach
DC-L5 Society For Publicity and Media
NSS Atlanta For Publicity and Media
Central Cost Space Frontier Society For Community Service
San Antonio Space Society For Education and Service to the Society
United States Air Force Academy Chapter For recruitment of NSS membership
Members of these chapters please stand and be recognized.
Appreciation and Thanks Award:
This year we choose to express our appreciation and thanks to the Most Promising
New Chapter, the DRG (German Space Society).
We also extend our appreciation and thanks to Michael James for his work with
the international chapters.
The chapters are active but they do need help to carry on these programs, to
expand their outreach, and most of all to work together and communicate more
effectively with the rest of the society. That’s where you can come in.
I would like to ask each of you, if you are not already active in a chapter,
to approach or start a local chapter and at least offer some of your services.
Even if you just lift a finger once a year — every little bit counts. Do
something extra to promote the future we all seek! N
Gregory H. Allison is the NSS Vice President for Chapter Affairs.
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