National Space Society
- Kennedy Space Center, United States
The National Space Society (NSS) is an American international nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy. It is a member of the Independent Charities of America and an annual participant in the Combined Federal Campaign. The society's vision is: "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."[1]
The society supports human spaceflight and robotic spaceflight, by both public (e.g., NASA, Russian Federal Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and private sector (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, etc.) organizations.
The major goals of the National Space Society are:
- Defending Earth: Protecting humanity from dangerous space objects (asteroid impact avoidance).
- Clean Energy from Space: Enabling everyone to benefit from space solar power.
- Developing Space: Making the vast resources of space available to all.
- Space Settlement: Moving civilization into space and making us an interplanetary species.
History
The society was established in the United States on March 28, 1987, by the merger of the National Space Institute, founded in 1974 by Wernher von Braun,[2] and the L5 Society, founded in 1975 based on the concepts of Gerard K. O'Neill.[3]
The society has an elected volunteer Board of Directors and a Board of Governors. The Board of Directors provides day-to-day operational oversight for the organization, and the Board of Governors provide strategic oversight and advisory to the Directors in the form of recommendations and guidance with respect to the broad strategies, overall policies, objectives, and goals of the Society. The Chairman of the Board of Governors is Karlton Johnson, USAF-Retired. [4] In this capacity, he provides overall senior executive leadership to enhance the effectiveness and performance of the Board of Governors in support of the Society's goals, imparts advice and guidance to the Board of Directors to enhance its conduct of business operations, and serves as the primary spokesperson for the Board of Governors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Kirby Ikin. Miss Anita Gale is currently the organization's Chief Executive Officer.
Serving the space community for nearly 50 years in its various forms, the National Space Society has remained a conduit for education, substantive dialogue, and impact player in the commercial and private space sector communities. The organization garnered the "Five-Star Best in America" award by the Independent Charities of America organization in 2005.
In 2014, the National Space Society launched[5] the Enterprise In Space[6] program in order to ignite interest in space and science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education.
In 2023, the National Space Society elected Isaac Arthur as President for a two-year term.[7]
Ad Astra
The Society publishes a magazine Ad Astra, which appears quarterly in print and electronic form.[8]
International Space Development Conference
The society hosts an annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC) held in major cities throughout the United States, often during or close to the Memorial Day weekend.
NSS Chapters network
As listed in each quarterly issue of Ad Astra, a large number of NSS chapters exist around the world. The chapters may serve a local area such as a school, city or town, or have a topical or special interest focus, such as a rocketry or astronomy club, or educational/community outreach program. Chapters are the peripheral organs of the society by organizing events, communicating with the public on the merits and benefits of space exploration, and working to educate political leaders.[citation needed]
National Space Society of Australia
A strong contingent of chapters is located in Australia. Prior to the NSI-L5 merger, the L5 Society had been developing chapters around the world, and in Australia, three chapters had been established. The 'Southern Cross L5 Society' was formed in 1979, with groups in Sydney, Adelaide (in 1984) and Brisbane (in 1986). It was decided in late 1989 to create the National Space Society of Australia (NSSA) which could act as an umbrella organization
Similar efforts have taken hold in Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, as well as European countries that have a strong aerospace presence. These include France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Awards
The society administers a number of awards. These are typically presented during the annual International Space Development Conference that NSS hosts. These awards are in recognition of individual volunteer effort, awards for NSS chapter work, the "Space Pioneer" award,[9] and two significant awards which are presented in alternate years.
Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award
The Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award is given in even-numbered years (2004, 2006, etc.) to "honor those individuals who have made significant, lifetime contributions to the creation of a free spacefaring civilization."
Heinlein Award Winners:[10]
- 2022 – Lori Garver
- 2018 – Freeman Dyson[11]
- 2016 – Jerry Pournelle[12]
- 2014 – Elon Musk
- 2012 – Stephen Hawking
- 2010 – Peter Diamandis
- 2008 – Burt Rutan
- 2006 – Brigadier General Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager
- 2004 – James Lovell
- 2002 – Robert Zubrin
- 2000 – Neil Armstrong
- 1998 – Carl Sagan
- 1996 – Buzz Aldrin
- 1994 – Robert H. Goddard
- 1992 – Gene Roddenberry
- 1990 – Wernher von Braun
- 1988 – Arthur C. Clarke
- 1986 – Gerard K. O'Neill
NSS Von Braun Award
The NSS Von Braun Award is given in odd-numbered years (1993, 1995, etc.) "to recognize excellence in management of and leadership for a space-related project where the project is significant and successful and the manager has the loyalty of a strong team that he or she has created." Awardees include:[13]
Von Braun Award Winners:
- 2023 – James Webb Space Telescope Team
- 2021 – Gwynn Shotwell
- 2019 – Tory Bruno
- 2017 – Prof. Johann-Dietrich Wörner
- 2015 – Mars Curiosity Rover project Team
- 2013 – Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- 2011 – JAXA Hayabusa Team
- 2009 – Elon Musk
- 2007 – Steven W. Squyres
- 2005 – Burt Rutan
- 2001 – Donna Shirley
- 1999 – Robert C. Seamans, Jr.
- 1997 – George Mueller
- 1995 – Max Hunter
- 1993 – Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger
Other scholarships and award activities
Other scholarships and award activities NSS provides or assists with include the following awards:
- The Space Pioneer Awards
- The NSS-ISU scholarship, worth $10,000, to the International Space University was offered from 2005–2008. The 2005 recipient was Robert Guinness of St. Louis.
- The Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest, an annual competition for students in grades 6 to 12 to design and present a permanent space settlement in the form of a research paper, essay, or artwork;
Affiliations
The National Space Society is a founding executive member of the Alliance for Space Development.[14]
See also
- L5 Society
- Space advocacy
- Space colonization
- Space exploration
- Vision for Space Exploration
- Space Kingdom of Asgardia
References
- ^ "NSS Statement of Philosophy". NSS.org. May 14, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ^ Richard Godwin, "The History of the National Space Society", Space.com, November 16, 2005 (retrieved 10 February 2015)
- ^ David Brandt-Erichsen, The L5 Society Archived 2008-10-10 at the Wayback Machine, Ad Astra, Nov.-Dec., 1994 (retrieved 29 Dec. 2015).
- ^ "NSS Board of Governors". NSS.org. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
- ^ "National Space Society Launches "Enterprise In Space"". www.nss.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
- ^ "Home". Enterprise In Space. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
- ^ Society, National Space (2023-03-10). "Isaac Arthur Named President of the National Space Society – National Space Society". space.nss.org. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ Ad Astra online edition
- ^ Zee News, "India's Mars Orbiter team wins National Space Society's Space Pioneer Award", January 13, 2015 (retrieved 10 February 2015)
- ^ NSS Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award Archived 2012-05-14 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 10 August 2016)
- ^ Sandberg, Lee (6 June 2018). "Freeman Dyson Receives Robert Heinlein Memorial Award from National Space Society". Institute for Advanced Study. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ NSS Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award Press Release Archived 2017-06-23 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 10 August 2016)
- ^ NSS Von Braun Award Archived 2015-02-02 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 10 February 2015)
- ^ ASD Members, Alliance for Space Development, 26 January 2015, retrieved March 4, 2015
- "National Space Society 'blitzes' Congress on NASA budget" Space.com – Mar. 5, 2007
- "National Space Society to Host 26th Annual Conference in Dallas, Convening Pioneers from Government and Private Space Programs" SpaceRef.com – Feb. 21, 2007
- GuideStar – National Space Society Information on NSS listed in GuideStar, a national database of nonprofit organizations
External links
- Official website
- Ad Astra ("To the Stars') The magazine of the National Space Society
- Island One Society, ISDC conferences archive
- v
- t
- e
space program
- Two Bombs, One Satellite doctrine (1966–1976)
- Shuguang program (1966–1972)
- Chinese ASAT program (1964–)
- Project 921 (1992–)
- Shenzhou program
- Tiangong program
- Space station
- Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (2003–)
- Mars and beyond
- European Launcher Development Organisation (1960–1975)
- Europa launcher programme (1962–1973)
- European Space Research Organisation (1964–1975)
- European Space Agency (1975–)
- EU/ESA Space Council
- European Cooperation for Space Standardization
- European Space Research and Technology Centre
- European Astronaut Centre
- ESA Centre for Earth Observation
- European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications
- European Data Relay System
- Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility (1983–2010)
- European Space Astronomy Centre (2005–)
- European Space Security and Education Centre
- European Space Operations Centre
- Guiana Space Centre
- Ariane launcher programme (1973–)
- Vega launcher programme (1998–)
- European Space Policy Institute
- Space Situational Awareness Programme
- Future Launchers Preparatory Programme
- ESA Television
- Mars and beyond
Horizon 2000 (1985–1995) |
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Horizon 2000 Plus (1995–2015) | |
Cosmic Vision (2015–2025) |
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- Western European Union Satellite Centre (1992–2002)
- EU Satellite Centre (2002–)
- EU/ESA Space Council
- EU Commission DG Defence Industry and Space
- European GNSS Supervisory Authority (2004–2010)
- European GNSS Agency (2010–2021)
- EU Agency for the Space Programme (2021–)
- Galileo programme
- Copernicus programme
- EGNOS programme
- EUSST programme
- Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency
- European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities
- European Defence Agency
- Europe by Satellite
initiatives and bodies
- AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe
- Eurocontrol
- Council of Europe
- Council of European Aerospace Societies
- European Broadcasting Union
- European Civil Aviation Conference
- European Committee for Standardization/European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
- European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
- European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
- European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
- European Patent Organisation
- European Telecommunications Satellite Organization
- European Southern Observatory
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
space programme
- Creation of the British National Committee for Space Research (1958)
- Start of the Ariel programme (1962)
- Black Arrow launcher (1964–1971)
- Creation of the British National Space Centre (1985)
- Outer Space Act 1986
- Project Juno (1991)
- Space Innovation and Growth Team (2009–2010)
- Creation of the UK Space Agency (2010)
- Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015
- Space Industry Act 2018
- UK Global Navigation Satellite System (2018–2020)
- 2021 Integrated Review
Truman space policy | |
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Eisenhower space policy | |
Kennedy space policy | |
Johnson space policy | |
Nixon space policy | |
Ford space policy | |
Carter space policy | |
Reagan space policy | |
George H. W. Bush space policy | |
Clinton space policy | |
George W. Bush space policy | |
Obama space policy |
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Trump space policy | |
Soviet space program |
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Roscosmos |
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or inter-agency bodies
- African Space Agency
- Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems
- Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
- Committee on Space Research
- International Cospas-Sarsat Programme
- Group on Earth Observations
- Global Standards Collaboration
- Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
- International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters'
- International Mobile Satellite Organization
- International Space Exploration Coordination Group
- International Space Station Multilateral Coordination Board
- International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
- Intersputnik
- Orbital Debris Co-ordination Working Group
- Regional African Satellite Communication Organization
- Arab Satellite Communications Organization
- Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization
- Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963)
- Outer Space Treaty (1967)
- Rescue Agreement (1968)
- Space Liability Convention (1972)
- US-USSR Cooperation Agreement (1972)
- Satellite Convention (1974)
- Registration Convention (1975)
- Bogota Declaration (1976)
- Moon Treaty (1979)
- Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (1981)
- International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement (1988)
- International Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement (1998)
- International Docking System Standard
- International Charter 'Space and Major Disasters' (1999)
- Cape Town Treaty, Space Assets protocol (2012)
- Artemis Accords (2020)
- Space jurisdiction
- Common heritage of mankind
- Extraterrestrial real estate
- Astronomical naming conventions
- ITU Radio Regulations
- CCSDS standards
- ODCWG standards
- CEOS standards
- COSPAR standards
- GSC standards
- GEO standards
- ISECG standards
- Various conventions, treaties, agreements, memorandums, charters or declarations establishing and governing intergovernmental organisations or inter-agency bodies dealing with space affairs
Space forces, units and formations | |
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Space warfare |
- Air & Space Forces Association
- Alliance for Space Development
- National Space Society
- Space Frontier Foundation
- Mars Society
- Moon Society
- Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
- Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies
- British Interplanetary Society
- Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
- International Academy of Astronautics
- International Astronautical Federation
- International Astronomical Union
- Lunar Explorers Society
- Space Exploration Alliance
- Space Fellowship
- Space Force Association
- Space Foundation
- The Planetary Society