Ad Astra
The magazine of the National Space Society
Volume 16, Number 3 July-Aug-Sept 2004
Return to Back Issue Index
ON THE COVER: Scaled Composites’ SpaceShipOne returns from its short but historic venture into space.
Featured Articles:
S1
MOON, MARS AND BEYOND:
SPACE EXPLORATION FOR A NEW ERA
Special Report
S4
THE U.S. BLUEPRINT FOR SPACE EXPLORATION
The Aldridge Commission Report: The remaking of NASA is only part of the job; the real test will be sustaining the vision over decades to come.
By Jeff Foust
S7
FIRST MAN ON THE MOON LOOKS FORWARD TO OTHERS’ RETURN
Speech by Neil A. Armstrong
S9
INSIDE PROJECT CONSTELLATION
NASA’s first step beyond low-Earth orbit begins with a new vehicle to transport cargo and people to the Moon.
By Frank Sietzen, Jr.
S13
LAUNCH OPTIONS LOOM LARGE FOR NASA’S NEW MISSION
Engineers are studying a variety of options for developing new, more affordable heavy-lift rockets to carry astronauts back to the Moon and on to Mars.
By William Harwood
S18
ONE WAY TO MARS
Going to Mars to stay.
By Lucian Samosata
S23
THINK SMALL
As plans shape up for robotic excursions to the Moon, NASA may want to consider that bigger isn’t necessarily better.
By Jeff Foust
Modules:
3
LAUNCH PAD
Saving Earth Through Space
By Greg Allison, Chairman of the Executive Committee
4
MISSION CONTROL
S3
COUNTDOWN
Over the Thorns, To the Stars
By Irene Mona Klotz, Editor in Chief
S26
OUTLOOK
The Real Cost of the New Space Plan,
by Taylor Dinerman
Bush’s Stepping-stones to Space, by John H. Marburger III
Common Goal Unites Space Advocates, by Jim Banke
The 11th Commandment of Space, by Clifford R. McMurray
41
SPACE COMMUNITY
Conference Draws NSS Members to Oklahoma, by James Spellman, Jr.
CD Explores Dreams of Spaceflight, by Clark S. Lindsey
Grand Central Space-tion, by G. B. Leatherwood
NSS Chapters and Projects
48
LIFTING OFF
Heady Days for Space
By George T. Whitesides, NSS Executive Director