Monthly Archives: February 2013

Activism, Space Policy

More on public view of Mars missions + Update on Senate space policy committees

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Here are more discussions of that survey of public views about human missions to Mars that I mentioned here earlier:

Trying to judge what such a poll means is problematic because the US public has always expressed conflicting views on space. A majority have a good feeling about it and support it in a general manner but they don’t think about space often and don’t see it, especially human spaceflight, has having any direct impact on them. When asked to rank space spending vs other priorities it is always at the bottom  of the list for most people.

I prefer to focus on the 10-15% of the public who always express very strong interest and support for spaceflight in such polls. Those 30-45 million people are more than enough to build a spacefaring community and industry. They just need to see that human spaceflight is affordable and in the coming years I expect that the burgeoning commercial spaceflight industry will prove that to be true.

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An update on the membership of two Senate committees with big influence on NASA and US space policies: Senate committees get organized; Nelson and Cruz control space subcommittee – Space Politics

Activism

NSS Kickstarter campaign in final stretch

Here is the latest on the National Space Society‘s Kickstarter campaign to fund production of a top quality film to promote space development.

NSS Kickstarter Stretches for the Stars – Three Days Left!

As the NSS Kickstarter campaign enters its final days and hours we are stretching for the next goals for the campaign. We are in sight of the $45,000 goal which will allow for a short trailer, and within reach of the $55,000 goal where copies will be sent to our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. and around the country. Developments in our Nation’s Capital illustrate that, now more than ever, our leaders need to understand the importance of the space industry to the future of the U.S.

Your support in the final stretch is critical.

  • If you’ve supported the campaign, please consider reaching for the next support level.
  • If you haven’t told your friends and colleagues, please share your excitement for space with them and encourage them to check it out and support our space future.
  • Post a message on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts to let everyone know that now is the time to show their support.

Together we can make this happen!

As an exciting new inducement, we can now offer copies of the music CD “To Touch the Stars: A Musical Celebration of Space Exploration”, co-produced by NSS and The Mars Society, to donors at the $250 level and above.

Time is running out to do your part!

Living in Space

The challenges of space radiation

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Here’s an interesting overview of radiation exposure issues encounter by space travelers:  Surviving Radiation in Space – Astrowright.

Space Arts

Another review of The Art of Citizen Space Exploration

Here’s another review of the exhibition Free Enterprise: The Art of Citizen Space Exploration in Southern California: Space As A Creative Muse – Co.Design – Feb.12.13.

Amateur/Student Satellite, Education

ArduSat Academy Summer Program 2013

An announcement from Nanosatisfi:

ArduSat Academy Launches 4 Week Space Experience

NanoSatisfi, LLC is pleased to announce that registration is now open for ArduSat Academy Summer Program 2013. Ardusat Academy is an opportunity for students, hackers, makers, DIY space enthusiasts, and anyone interested in space, science, or programming to learn how to devise and prepare their own satellite-based experiment. Building on the ArduSat initiative to make space accessible to all, ArduSat Academy gives participants the tools they need to best make use of that opportunity.

“In just four weeks, anyone can design and program their own space-based experiment or experience,” says ArduSat Academy Program Director Merryl Azriel. “This isn’t just a project to keep you busy through yet another summer: this is the real deal, with a real satellite.”
Participants will discover the nuts and bolts of satellite operations, explore the capabilities of ArduSat’s sensor suite, learn to program and assemble Arduinos, and design and test a program to execute their experiments in orbit. This summer, participants will also be able to witness the July launch of ArduSat-1 and meet with the engineers that made it all happen.
The four week program will run June 24 through July 19, with morning, afternoon, and weekend sessions available. $2000 will get you in the program, which will be held in the San Francisco metropolitan area. No prior experience is necessary. All ages 13 years and above are welcome.

For more details about ArduSat Academy Summer Program 2013 and to register, visit us at ardusatacademy.org.

About NanoSatisfi, LLC
San Francisco-based NanoSatisfi formed in the summer of 2012, with a mission of providing convenient, affordable, on-demand access to satellites. NanoSatisfi’s founders together combine experience at 9 universities, in 8 companies, in 7 languages, and on 3 continents. NanoSatisfi prides itself on being free from the old mindset of “space costs millions and take years,” and is devoted to making space accessible and affordable for everyone. The company’s first two satellites were crowdfunded via a Kickstarter campaign. The results of that campaign – a space-based application platform comprised of an AVR/Arduino based computer in a CubeSat standard with a freely programmable micro-processor and 25 sensors – will launch with NanoRacks in the summer of 2013. Learn more at www.nanosatisfi.com.