The NASA Future Forum in Miami, FL, is now open for registration! This is one of only seven Future Forum events being held around the nation. (We are lucky to have one in Florida!) Registration is free and ends on April 4, so go register today.
Click here to register now!
What Are Future Forums?
NASA leadership, astronauts, scientists, and engineers along with local business, technology and academic leaders and local, state and federal officials discuss the role of space exploration in advancing science, engineering, technology, education and the economy that benefits your community and the nation. The program features an exciting preview of NASA’s Constellation Program – America’s return to the Moon and beyond.
You can learn more about the NASA Future Forums at http://www.nasa.gov/50th/future_forums/
Categories: Events
Tagged: aerospace, Future Forum, Miami, NASA, National Space Society, public event
NSS will have an opportunity to meet other space enthusiasts and talk about space advocacy at the KSC All-American Picnic on March 29. We have been given an exhibitor tent and plan to distribute Ad Astra magazines and NSS membership brochures. If you are interested in participating, please leave a comment and let us know!
What: NSS booth at the KSC All-American Picnic
When: Saturday, March 29, 10am - 4pm.
Where: KARS Park (click here for a map & directions)
See you there!
Categories: Events
Tagged: 2008, 29, All-American, Florida, KSC, March, NSS, Picknic
The next NSS Space Coast chapter meeting will be Tuesday. March 11 starting at 5:30 pm. We will be meeting in a private room at Kelsey’s Pizza in Port St. John (address below).
Our special guest will be Brett Silcox, Associate Director of NSS! Brett is a great resource for learning about space policies and projects around the country. We will focus our group discussion on planning for ISDC 2009 here in Orlando. Our formal announcement and preliminary agenda need to be ready to release in May at this year’s conference in Washington, DC.
Please make plans to join us Tuesday. March 11 at 5:30 pm at Kelsey’s Pizza in Port St. John!
Kelsey’s Pizza
6811 N Cocoa Blvd
Port St John, FL 32927
(321) 639-3333
http://www.kelseys.com/
Categories: Meetings
Tagged: Brett Silcox, ISDC 2009, Kelsey's pizza, NSS, Space Coast
The following letter was submitted to Florida Today by NSS member Edward Ellegood. He was writing in response to criticism of NASA’s tentative plans to build a new commercial launch complex. Edward attended the NASA public hearings last week. You can read the published version of this letter in the March 5, 2008 edition of Florida Today or read it online at FloridaToday.com
Pentagon’s red tape problem at the Cape
The idea of building a new commercial launch complex on Kennedy Space Center has caused many opponents to suggest locating it on Air Force property at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
This may be feasible, but it defeats the intent.
The two currently proposed sites on KSC may not be perfect, but they have a huge advantage over an Air Force location — no Air Force.
The KSC sites would allow a greater role for the FAA and a state or county empowered spaceport authority, including streamlined processes for commercial access, and potentially the use of an FAA-approved range safety system instead of the notoriously complex Eastern Range run by the Air Force.
This airport-like approach was envisioned nearly two decades ago when the state established the Spaceport Florida Authority, but the Air Force never embraced the concept.
The Air Force’s resistance to change is the reason new commercial — and even new military — launch programs avoid the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Eastern Range.
Edward Ellegood
National Space Society
Space Coast Chapter
Cocoa Beach
Categories: News
Tagged: Air Force, Cape Canaveral, commericial space, editorial, Edward Ellegood, Florida Today, letter, NASA
Space Exploration Alliance Members Press Congress For Full Authorized Levels of NASA Funding
Monday, February 18, 2008 - Concerned citizens from around the country met with over 120 congressional offices early last week in an effort to ensure that the billion shortfall in the proposed FY09 NASA budget is addressed by Congress. The event marks the start of the Space Exploration Alliance’s 2008 Budget Campaign, a year-long push to educate Congress on space policy matters.
“One person really can have an impact on space policy, and together we can make a difference,” said SEA Steering Committee member Chris Carberry. “We’ve already seen results with this year’s presidential election, where space policy issues have received more attention than they have in decades. Now we’re hoping to be able to do the same thing with Congress.”
In addition to emphasizing the difference in funding levels between President Bush’s proposed budget and the level specified in the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, last Monday and Tuesday’s meetings - which covered over 120 Congressional offices - sought to raise awareness of a number of issues, such as the five-year gap currently projected between the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the first flights of the new Constellation program. Keep reading →
Categories: News
