The National Space Society (NSS) commends NASA and the Executive Branch for proposing to increase spending for science, technology, and sustainable economic development in space; however, we believe the President’s 2011 budget request would leave the job only partly done. NSS calls for the President and Congress to restore funding for human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit. NASA’s goal should be to make it possible to incorporate energy and resources from space into our economy and to extend human presence throughout the solar system.
On December 7, 2009, in a star-studded ceremony at the Mojave Spaceport in Mojave, California, Virgin Galactic’s new commercial suborbital spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo (manufactured by Scaled Composites) was unveiled to the public for the first time. SpaceShipTwo, christened the “Enterprise”, is now ready to undergo the series of rigorous test flights and certification procedures which are necessary before it can proceed to operational status.
From February 21-23, 2010, the National Space Society (NSS) and the Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) will be holding the annual Legislative Blitz. The 2010 Blitz comes at a crucial moment in the formulation of space policy.
On November 13, 2009, NASA announced that preliminary data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, indicates that the mission successfully uncovered water during the October 9, 2009 impacts into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus crater near the Moon’s south pole.
According to Mark Hopkins, Senior Vice President of the National Space Society, “The discovery of water on the Moon dramatically improves the case for the development of lunar resources. All of the varied proposals to use these resources to provide very large amounts of carbon free energy for use on the Earth are suddenly more cost effective. In the long run, lunar resources may provide the solution to our energy and climate change problems.”
Added Rick Zucker, NSS Vice President of Public Affairs, “NSS applauds NASA’s continuing efforts to unlock the secrets of the universe, to expand the boundaries of human knowledge, and to apply that which we learn for the betterment of humanity.”
The National Space Society (NSS) welcomes the release of the Final Report of the Review of U.S. Space Flight Plans Committee, better known as the Augustine Commission. NSS thanks the Committee for its hard work and due diligence, and for the message that its Final Report seeks to convey: The United States can, and must, continue to be the world’s leader in space, but to do so, our space program must be appropriately funded. NSS joins with the Committee in its call for an additional $3 billion in annual funding for NASA.
The NSS released a statement on Friday concerning the Augustine Commission report:
The National Space Society (NSS) welcomes the release of the Summary Report of the Review of U.S. Space Flight Plans Committee, better known as the Augustine Commission. NSS thanks the Commission for its hard work and due diligence, and for a thorough job given the time and resources available to its members.
The Next Step in Space Coalition, a group of businesses, organizations, and people working to ensure the future of US human spaceflight, announced today that its membership has grown to include a diverse set of businesses and organizations, including Google, Inc., Analytic Graphics Inc., the Space Coast Economic Development Commission and the National Space Society.
SpaceX’s Elon Musk, Virgin Galactic’s Will Whitehorn and Orion Propulsion’s Tim Pickens among private sector entrepreneurs on hand to discuss the next frontier of the space industry.
The National Space Society (NSS) announced today that Day One of the 28th annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC) will dedicate itself to an in-depth look into the emerging privately funded sector of the space industry.
The National Space Society’s blog has a few updates on the International Space Development Conference, which is set for May 28-31 in Orlando.
Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic, has been added to the program. NSS is also selling tickets for lunches and dinners which will feature some prominent space figures.
The National Space Society (NSS) today announced that the 28th Annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC) will take place from Wednesday May 27 to Sunday May 31 at the Omni Hotel at Champions Gate in Orlando, FL. The conference will engage the public and decision-makers in an open and positive discussion about the role that space exploration, research and development will play in ushering in a new era of hope in a climate of uncertain change.
courtneymalloy1: Video: Flight of the Xombie | Parabolic Arc: Masten Space Systems Xombie rocket on a test flight on March 18, 2010... http://bit.ly/atOO7d
