August 2006
President’s
Message:
Congratulations to the organisers and volunteers of the Australian Space Development
and Space Science Conferences held in Canberra in July. Another job extremely
well done and thanks for your sterling efforts!
Moving away from our normal traditions, we presented our two highest awards
at the Space Development Conference dinner this year. We believe that it’s
appropriate to honour NSSA award recipients and to introduce them to the global
space industry people attending our conferences.
Dr Jeanette Rothapfel, “Mrs Rocketfuel” is the 2005 recipient of
our prestigious “Space Pioneer Award”. Jeanette has been bringing
space and science education to our country’s students for around 40 years
and doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon! I asked for a bio on
her prior to the award and got 4 pages! Wow. Jeanette sure has been in amongst
it with our nation’s kids and teachers.
The other award was presented to Wayne Short the Sydney Chapter President and
National Vice President. Wayne is a tireless behind-the-scenes worker who has
always been there for the society. I’m sure I speak for everyone that
knows him when I say we were very excited to award Wayne “Space Advocate
of the Year”. Thanks Wayne, words cannot adequately convey our appreciation
for everything you do for the society!
After what has felt like a few years of “inactivity” things are
really starting to happen in space.
I opened the paper this morning to see that about a dozen travel agencies in
Australia have been awarded rights to sell Virgin Galactic flights scheduled
to start around 2008. Price is $260,000 for a sub orbital flight so mortgage
your house or your investment property if you want to go.
The 2nd shuttle flight following the Columbia disaster went well so it’s
looking like business as usual for NASA to finish building the space station
and retire the shuttle fleet. NASA is already working on the new CEV Spacecraft
with a view to make the transition virtually seamless.
I used to say, I won’t see a ride into space myself, but if I have anything
to do with it my great, great grandchildren will have the time of their lives.
Now I feel like it’s my son who will have the opportunities. Who knows,
we can only hope that if current situations play out with Virgin Galactic,
Space Ventures and other private enterprises, I might just get to go into space
before I retire. I’d really love to look back at our planet from space.
Ad Astra
Tony James
National President
In this months issue:
Readers Request
If there is a topic that you'd like to read about in the next issue of eSFN or your chapter would like to be featured just let us know. Email your Readers Requests to: eSFN@nssa.com.au
James Van Allen - Obituary
We are saddened by the news that world renowned Physicist, discoverer of the radiation belts
around the earth that bear his name and NSS Governor James A Van Allen passed away on Wednesday 9th August. He was 91.
In a career that stretched over more than a half-century, Van Allen designed
scientific instruments for dozens of space research flights, first with small
rockets and balloons, and eventually with space probes that travelled to distant
planets and beyond.
Van Allen gained global attention in the late 1950s when instruments he designed
and placed aboard the first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, discovered the bands
of intense radiation that surround the earth, now known as the Van Allen Belts.
The bands spawned a whole new field of research known as magnetospheric physics,
an area of study that now involves more than 1,000 investigators in more than 20 countries.
The discovery also propelled the United States in its space exploration race
with the Soviet Union and prompted Time magazine to put Van Allen on the cover
of its May 4, 1959, issue
"He was one of the most important people in the entire area of space science," said
Thomas Zurbuchen, professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the
University of Michigan.
"What he did for our understanding was really a crucial step into bringing
humanity into space," he said. "What he's done has shown that
space is an immensely interesting place."
Besides the discovery of the Van Allen belts, he provided the first instruments
carried near another planet, those taken on the 1962 Venus mission by Mariner
2, and he spent most of his life training other space researchers.
" I love to work and I love this subject," he said in 1993. As for
quitting, he said, "not as long as I'm able I won't."
9th Australian Space Development Conference and 6th Australian Space Science Conference
The National Space Society of Australia's conference series took place this year at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, July 19-21. John Hargreaves, MLA for the ACT Government, gave a stirring speech urging Australia and the world not to rest but to push the boundaries of the space industry. There was also an ASDC session on Indigenous and Heritage Perspectives on Space by Mr Jack Pearson, who spoke of the ways the benefits that the space industry offers could help improve their societies. High on the agenda for the ASSC, was how to teach students about the technological advances that have been made and the best ways to encourage and enthuse students about Space Science so they will continue to delve into the subject well into the future. A Space Education Workshop run by Astra Australis, on the 21st of July, went extremely well and received a great deal of positive feedback from the teachers involved. Sessions from both conferences discussing the return to the Moon and satellite launches were popular and informative. Among the most popular of the sessions were those on Human Exploration in Space and the DECADEL planning workshop.
http://www.conferences2006.nssa.com.au
Shuttle Missions: STS-121 On-orbit Testing Continues
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121_overview.html
The
space shuttle Discovery landed at Cape Canaveral after a 13 day mission
on July 17. "It was a great mission, a really great mission," said Discovery
commander Steve Lindsey. Discovery brought a third crewmember to the station,
European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter. Reiter will remain on the
station, working with the station crew under a contract between ESA and
the Russian Federal Space Agency. Two 6.5 hour spacewalks took place to
test the 50-foot robotic arm boom extension as a work platform and to begin
maintenance of the station's Mobile Transporter. A successful end to Discovery's
mission now opens the way for the resumption of space station construction.
Mission Specialist Mike Fossum and Pilot Mark Kelly Bigelow's Inflatable Genesis 1 Reaches Orbit http://www.bigelowaerospace.com
http://www.space.com/news/060721_genesis-1_impact.html
The
privatization of space has taken a giant leap forward as the first privately
funded inflatable Earth orbiting module has been launched into space. On
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 Bigelow Aerospace of Las Vegas successfully launched
its pathfinder mission-Genesis I, marking the birth of a long-term vision
to build and orbit space structures for commercial and public use. Mr.
Bigelow said that their expandable habitat design will "transform the dream of a robust human presence in space into a reality". "This is like getting your first at bat in the major league and hitting a Grand Slam" said Mr. Bigelow with obvious pride in the accomplishment of his company. "We have accomplished so much and it's just the beginning." The
inflatable structure will circle the Earth for several years and be thoroughly
evaluated. Making public space travel a reality will require putting together
a lot of separate pieces, including a reliable and affordable transportation
system and an orbital outpost as a destination. Bigelow Aerospace has offered
a $50 million prize to stimulate private development of orbital space vehicles.
One rule of the Bigelow Aerospace-backed America's Space Prize competition
is that spacecraft must demonstrate an ability to dock with a Bigelow Aerospace
inflatable space habitat and be capable of remaining on station for at
least 6 months. The contest ends January 10, 2010.
Outside Genesis 1 Victorian Space Science Education Centre Grand Opening http://www.strathmore.vic.edu.au/VSSEC.php
VSSEC was officially launched by the State Treasurer, John Brumby on Monday 17th July. Mr Brumby announced 'Our future depends on smart, high-skilled and creative people so it is very important that we develop all possible ways of encouraging more young people to explore careers in science and technology.' The opening was preceded by a very successful community tour of the centre on Sunday 16th July and continued on Thursday afternoon with an open session for teachers. The group of approximately 60 teachers was overwhelmed by the breadth of experiences available to the students and what the centre offered for teachers.
VSSEC promotes the learning of science by providing engaging, hands-on activities for students and their educators. VSSEC also provides a unique collaborative research and education centre, and as part of a global network of Space Science Centres and Institutions, offers a link between local and international business and industry. VSSEC will initially cater for high school students, providing separate programs for year 11-12 Victorian Certificate of Education. Activities will be undertaken in the laboratory and involve experimental activities, data collection and analysis. VSSEC also offers on-going teacher professional development programs, and will include sessional activities, on-line mentoring, and access to lesson plans.
Enthusiastic Students at VSSEC This month's Board Member Profile: Tim McEgan - Deputy Chairman
How to start an NSSA Chapter
Have you got a group of friends that enjoy discussing space? Would you like to do it regularly and get recognised for your efforts? Well here is your chance! Start a new NSSA Chapter today, it's this easy:
Tips on how you can be more involved with the NSSA
I currently work in the Space community in Australia through my paid job at Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants and my role as Treasurer for the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce. I have been heavily involved in many strategic and operational projects on the ASICC Executive Council and the ASICC Executive Committee. I was also only the second non USA citizen to be a member of the NSS (USA) Board, which I was on for two years. Prior to working in the space community I worked for many years in the financial services sector at various management levels. At one point in my career I insured satellites, which was a really great way to start conversations at parties.
I first got involved with NSSA in 1989 through my interest in space technology.
At the first meeting I attended Kirby Ikin asked me to join the Sydney Chapter
committee, which I did. I've not looked back since. Throughout my NSSA 'career'
I have written submissions to Government inquiries about space, I've built and
manned NSSA exhibitions at public events, I've created marketing and promotional
material, I have organised conferences and met the international space industry
as a result, and I have served on committees and the Board of Directors. Being
a member has been a whole lot of fun….I remember having a beer with Dave Scott
in a bar in New York, sitting in Board meetings with Buzz Aldrin, climbing through
rocket assembly plants in the USA and in Japan, having lunch at the United Nations
(The NSS has permanent observer status at the UN), having dinners with space
enthusiastic actors, doing TV and radio interviews, and meeting a whole range
of fellow NSS and NSSA members around the world.
I was financial controller for over six years, and then became President. Two years ago I stood down as President and am now the Deputy Chairman. My strengths are to look at strategic issues, i.e. where we want the NSSA to go, what we want to achieve, and then help to put in place plans to achieve those goals. I like that sort of strategic and operational stuff, which other people often find boring. Having been a manager in fairly senior positions for a number of years I understand that it is critical to do this sort of planning if any venture is to succeed, even if management and planning is not 'sexy' or high profile.
I like the excitement of helping to create a future industry in space technology for Australia and the fact that I can use my skills at strategic and operational planning to help achieve that aim. Australia is a really smart country and we have a lot of leadership and technical skills that the world will need when humanity really does start to venture into space. Being involved in creating those opportunities for younger people and seeing dreams become reality is exciting. I think that the NSSA is well placed to lead such initiatives and lead the growth of the space community here in Australia.
The NSSA is still the most recognised and respected space activist organisation in Australia. Its ability to organise and run conferences such as the ASDC's and ASSC's is very highly respected by a lot of people. Unfortunately we aren't always good at communicating the positive feedback that we get back to the NSSA members. As I said earlier, I think that the NSSA is very well placed to take a leadership role in developing the space community in Australia so that in the future Australia can play a critical role in the world's exploration and development of space. All members can play a very important role in achieving this goal if they want to, but we have to improve the way that the NSSA operates so that all members can participate in the success. We can, and should actively lead the development of Australia as a true space-faring nation, even if Australia does not actually launch rockets from our own soil.
1. Identify which of your friends enjoy chatting about space issues
2. Suggest that a group of you get together one time to talk about space eg. at a cafe
3. If it goes well then suggest you do it regularly eg. once a month
4. Once you have 5 people who are NSSA members let NSSA know and request recognition as a chapter.
5. Ask NSSA for the contact details of other members in your area.
6. Find a regular venue to meet eg. Uni tutorial room or a community centre
7. Appoint a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer (although these do not need to be three separate people).
8. Each chapter receives a share of the membership fees paid by their members who join or renew each year.
9. Arrange a guest speaker eg. A local university lecturer
10. Organise a public outreach event eg. Have a stand at a public event such as National Science Week
11. NSSA can tell you when people of note will be in your area and help you invite them to your meeting as a speaker eg. Andy Thomas is occasionally in Adelaide.
12. Inform the Board of your activities if you are doing something exciting.
13. Have the chance to stand for election to the Board as your Chapters representative.