Dear NSS Florida Space Coast Members and Friends,
National Space Society Florida Space Coast Chapter Minutes and Notes, Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Meeting
Time: 5:30
Location:
Shuttle’s Bar and Grill
Merritt Island, FL
Attendance:
Fred Becker
Kathleen Fischer
Rick Fischer
Ross Tierney
Debra Wolfard
1. Mailing List Upgrade
We discussed possible means of communicating easier and decided to convert this mini-mailing list to a Yahoo email list. This way members can send announcements easier. We can also store files, photos and links here. We can invite other Florida chapters to join the list and a more effective cooperation between chapters can be achieved. The list will be public so that NSS members can find it, but all members must be approved and only members can view messages or other members’ email addresses. If you would like to join up at Yahoo, here is the information. If you wish to remain on the existing list, we’ll email you that way as we have in the past.
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NSSFL
Group email address: NSSFL@yahoogroups.com
2. Chapter Business
We talked about officers for 2006-2007. Jack Fox has agreed to stay on as President. Fred Becker will stay on as VP/Secretary. Jen Bailey will serve as our new treasurer as Keith must devote time to other activities. Deb Wolfard will serve as publicity officer. We will work to get in calendars in Space Coast Chronicle and The Resident, Florida Today, Orlando Sentinel and so on. Robert Driscole will serve as Sergeant At Arms (keeper of the bylaws).
3. NSS Space Settlement Initiative
A new section of the NSS home page will serve as a resource for the long-term movement of humanity in space. It will include lunar bases, space habitats, solar power satellites and mars bases. Space tourism will also be covered in a separate section. Watch for the developments over the coming months.
4. NSS New Member Brochure
The NSS has finalized a new full-color membership brochure. We hope to have copies for use soon.
5. Next Regular NSS Florida Space Coast
Meeting: the second Tuesday in October: October 10, 5:30, at Paddy Cassidy’s.
6. NSS Launch Viewing at Washington Street Beach in Cape Canaveral for STEREO Launch, Tuesday, October 18
We will set up our NSS chapter table on Cape Canaveral’s Washington Street Beach for the launch of a Delta II on October 18. Take AIA to Atlantic Avenue North and then to Washington Avenue east to the beach. We will hand out Ad Astra magazines and have a radio tuned in to the launch broadcast.
http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d318/cuecard.html
With that, the meeting adjourned.
Fred Becker
VP and Secretary
Calendar Items and Reports:
1. Space Generation Conference in Valencia, Spain, September 28-30
Tim Bailey has helped with the conference.
http://www.valencia.spacegeneration.org/
“Youth Leaders Gather in Valencia to Issue Collective Vision on Space Valencia, Spain, September 27, 2006 –(PR.COM)– Students and young professionals from all over the world are all making their way to Valencia to be a represent their countries in the Space Generation Congress 2006. This premier international youth event for space enthusiasts is organized by the Space Generation Advisory Council. The Space Generation Congress (SGC) will take place from 28 to 30 September, 2006 at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia.”
2. World Space Week, October 4-10
“What is World Space Week?…It is an
international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10.”
3. Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Presentation, Orlando, October 17
http://www.astronautscholarship.org/2006_presentations.html
“University of Central Florida – Space Shuttle Astronaut Robert Crippen will be presenting Computer Engineering Senior, Brian Becker, with his scholarship award during a public lecture and ceremony, Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 4:30 PM at the University of Central Florida.”
4. X-Prize Cup, October 20-21
“X PRIZE Cup
Las Cruces International Airport, New Mexico This year’s Cup features three spectacular competitions with over $2.5 million in prize purses, multiple high-powered sounding rocket launches, the unveiling of the Rocket Racing League’s development X-Racer, multiple static engine test firings live on the field, fly-overs by the T-38 astronaut trainer, and a variety of other rocket surprises in the air and on the ground.”
The NSS will have many volunteers in attendance and the NSS board and committees will be holding important planning meetings.
5. National Space Club – Florida, Annual Ball, October 21
Oct. 21st – Annual Space Ball
6:30 p.m. Reception/ 7:30 p.m. Dinner (Cocktail Attire) Annual Space Ball, just dinner and dancing
6. Gemini XII Anniversary Dinner at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Nov 11
http://www.astronautscholarship.org/
“The heroes of Gemini XII, along with other space explorers, will gather at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, November 11, 2006, to commemorate their flight’s anniversary…Please call 321-269-6119 or e-mail ASF@AstronautScholarship.org for more information.”
Reference on Ongoing Events
1. Chapter Monthly Social
Our chapter meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. These meetings are held at Paddy Cassidy’s in Cocoa Beach. Paddy’s is located in the Publix shopping center just south and west of Ron Jon’s Surf Shop near 520 and A1A.
Paddy Cassidy’s Irish Pub
2011 N. Atlantic Ave.
Cocoa Beach, FL
321-783-0810
2. NSS Launch Viewing at Space Walk of Fame Park and the LISATS Point for Space Shuttle launches
One special opportunity we have as an NSS chapter is to facilitate launch viewing by other NSS members from around the country. To take action on this, we plan to create a guide to launch viewing and use this opportunity for NSS outreach and membership benefit enhancements. We also plan to provide an NSS table staffed by volunteers for future Shuttle launches. We will be at Space View Park in Titusville, handing out Ad Astra magazines. We will also have a second location at the LISATS viewing area on the 528 Causeway. Our prior launch viewing activities have been great successes.
http://www.spacewalkoffame.com/
http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/
Resource sites:
