Our Vision: People living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity.
National Space Society Update on the 2011 Legislative Blitz
(Washington, DC -- February 5, 2011)
From February 27 - March 1, 2011, the NSS and the Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) will be holding the annual Legislative Blitz in Washington, D.C. The 2011 Blitz comes at a crucial moment. In September 2010, Congress passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. It is now time for Congress to enact legislation that appropriates the required funding in compliance with the Authorization Act.
In the current economic climate, however, it is uncertain which path our nation's leaders will now take. More than ever before, it is absolutely critical that the voices of the space advocacy community be heard in the debate over the future of our nation's space program.
Over 80 meetings with Congressional offices have been scheduled thus far. Come join space advocates from around the country to let Congress know that there is strong constituent support for an ambitious space program. Please REGISTER here for the Legislative Blitz.
For more information, please contact Rick Zucker at rick.zucker@nss.org or 508-651-9936.
NSS Releases Updated Strategic Plan
(Washington, DC -- February 5, 2011)
The NSS Strategic Plan defines the Five-Year Goals and short-term organizational (external) and operational (internal) objectives of the Society. Includes background information and rationale for the objectives. Also includes the NSS Strategic Implementation Plan, defining the set of approved initiatives for meeting the objectives defined in the Strategic Plan.
Read the full NSS Strategic Plan [PDF].
NSS Director Stan Rosen on The Space Show
(Washington, DC -- January 6, 2011)
NSS Director Dr. Stan Rosen was a guest on The Space Show (Internet radio program December 26, 2010) speaking about using space to improve life on Earth, and revolutionary space applications.
Read the full news entry on the NSS Blog.
National Space Society and NASA want you!
(Washington, DC -- December 29, 2010)
NASA is seeking applications from graduate students for the agency's new Space Technology Research Fellowships. Applications are being accepted from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of graduate students interested in performing space technology research beginning in fall of 2011.
The Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) is interested in attracting graduate students that are committed to developing disruptive technologies for the aerospace sector and to being part of NASA's technological future by working on high-priority technologies to sustainably explore space, and who are interested in pursuing NASA's Grand Challenges. The Space Technology Grand Challenges are an open call for cutting-edge technological solutions that solve important space-related problems, radically improve existing capabilities or deliver new space capabilities altogether. The challenges are centered on three key themes: (1) Expand human presence in space, (2) Manage in-space resources, and (3) Enable transformational space exploration and scientific discovery.
This is a real opportunity to further our shared goals and help make the future we wish to see come to pass. The deadline for submitting fellowship proposals is Feb. 23.
Information on the fellowships, including how to submit applications, is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innovation/grants/NSTRF.html.
Are you in graduate school or hope to be this fall and are looking for research ideas? The National Space Society website and access to our leadership team can be invaluable resources. Contact gary.barnhard@nss.org or 202-429-1600 for more information.
NASA FY 2011 Appropriations update
(Washington, DC -- December 23, 2010)
The House of Representatives and the Senate passed, and the President has signed a short term continuing resolution that will fund all government operations including NASA until March 4, 2011 in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations. Since the funding bill contained no anomolies with respect to NASA funding required to reconcile the differences between the prior appropriations and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 which is the current law of the land, expenditures which are construed to conflict are suspended until further legislative action is taken.
The implications of this are still being worked out by all concerned. All the more reason that we need everyone that we can to join us for the legislative blitz February 27 - March 1, 2011.
Additional details and analysis to follow . . .
NSS Congratulates SpaceX on Successful Falcon 9/Dragon Orbital Test Flight
(Washington, DC 20005 -- December 8, 2010)
The National Space Society congratulates SpaceX on the successful Falcon 9/Dragon Orbital Test Flight.
This successful completion of this milestone hastens the day when Commerical Orbital Transportation Services to the International Space Station will transition from concept to operational reality.
See additional stories in the http://blog.nss.org
NSS Calls on Congress to Fully Fund NASA in accordance with NASA Authorization Act of 2010
(Washington, DC -- November 29, 2010)
Update -- December 9, 2010 -- The House of Representatives passed a full year continuing resolution that would fund NASA essentially in accordance with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 with some changes.
In late September 2010, after many months of debate, Congress passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. This three-year authorization demonstrated a bipartisan, cooperative effort on the part of both the House and the Senate to provide a framework for engaging the Executive Branch in a comprehensive dialog on the future of NASA. On October 11, 2010, the bill was signed into law by the president.
In an era when such strong bipartisan agreement is rarely seen, the overwhelming support on both sides of the political aisle for our nation's space program and for the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 reaffirmed our nation's strong commitment to a space program that is dynamic, engaging, and sustainable. Although the compromise embodied in this legislation is not without risk to the ultimate success of the U.S. human spaceflight program, it nevertheless provides guidance to the Executive Branch and a path forward.
It is now incumbent upon Congress, the Administration, NASA, commercial concerns, and non-governmental organizations to work together to implement both the spirit and the letter of the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. It is now time to enact legislation that appropriates the required funding in compliance with the Authorization Act.
Read the full press release here [PDF file].
NSS Announces the Kalam-NSS Energy Initiative
(Washington, DC -- November 4, 2010)
Video of the entire press conference here.
Press Kit is available at http://nssdocs.xisp.net/nsswiki1/KalamNSS
