National Space Society

January 2026

Welcome to the NSS blog. Feel free to comment on any post (comments are moderated so won’t show up immediately). Contributors to the NSS Blog are unpaid volunteers. Unless specifically labeled an NSS position or press release, all blog posts represent the views of the author and not of NSS, even if written by an NSS officer.

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By Burton Dicht NSS Managing Director of Membership On the morning of January 28, 1986, I had just left a design review. At the time,...

Nye Passes the Torch to Jennifer Vaughan After 15 Years Leading the Organization Photo of Bill Nye courtesy The Planetary Society After 15 years of...

“We’re looking for amazing business plans that address some part of the human expansion into space.” — Isaac Arthur, NSS President The National Space Society’s...

This Space Available By Emily Carney “You know who I am,” he said The speaker was an angel He coughed and shook his crumpled wings...

Speaking Proposals will be Accepted at the Conference Website Through April 15, 2026 Submit your abstract for the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference®...

The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST The World’s Premier Gateway...

Passage of H.R. 6938 Restores Near Full Funding for NASA, Protecting U.S. Leadership in Exploration and Discovery The National Space Society (NSS) proudly celebrates the...

Story and photos by Burt Dicht NSS Managing Director of Membership Image above: Artemis II rolls out of High Bay 3 of the Vertical Assembly...

By John Jossy John Jossy runs a regular blog called Space Settlement Progress, from which this is taken. He is also a member of the...

A newly published book reclaims the three Apollo 1 astronauts from tragedy. The following article addresses the Apollo 1 fire and the loss of its...

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Book Reviews

Lunacy

Lunacy: A Book Review Essay

This long essay defends the NSS Vision against those who, like the author of the book being reviewed, think “we shouldn’t colonize Mars or the Moon, or even vacation there.” Ben Bramble, an Australian philosopher who teaches at Australian National University, has penned a YAASS (Yet Another Anti-Space-Settlement) book. These books are multiplying like flies, so space settlement advocates must be gaining ground to generate such an abundant response.

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HOTOLSkylon

Book Review: HOTOL & Skylon: The Story of Britain’s Spaceplanes

In HOTOL & Skylon: The Story of Britain’s Spaceplanes, Rob Coppinger covers the story of both in great detail, with the reminiscences of many who played integral roles in these ambitious programs. The book shines when it captures the enthusiasm and excitement of those involved, and there are extensive quotes from many who devoted years of work on these projects.

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Out of This World

Book Review: Out of This World

Anyone seeking a short but comprehensive introduction to human spaceflight would do well to start with this book. It reviews its history, highlights the accomplishments and tragedies, and describes the equipment used. It also looks at living in space, what space travelers experience, and how they work.

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The National Space Society has just released a Position Paper on Selected Space Environmental Sustainability Issues. Below is the Conclusion section. The full paper can...

What do National Space Society members think about the future of space and how should their views help shape the priorities of NSS? Join us...

By Robin Scott NSS Chapter Middle Tennessee Space Society (MTSS) President Chuck Schlemm performs outreach, directly contacting about 560 attendees (STEM teachers, school faculty, students,...

The future depends on leaders who can collaborate across disciplines, communicate effectively, and bring diverse teams together to solve complex challenges. The National Space Society...

By Burt Dicht NSS Space Coast Correspondent Some weeks in spaceflight are just busy. This one was something more. Over a period of four days,...

By Burt Dicht NSS Space Coast Correspondent A large anvil cloud hanging over Florida’s Space Coast added some uncertainty to the final hours of the...

Applications open 1 Oct – 1 Dec, 2026 The National Space Society’s Global Space Debates is a unique, 100% virtual program that brings high school...

This long essay defends the NSS Vision against those who, like the author of the book being reviewed, think "we shouldn’t colonize Mars or the...
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