Ad Astra
The magazine of the National Space Society
Volume 19, Number 2 Summer 2007
Return to Back Issue Index
Featured Articles:
14
SPACE BUSINESS BOOMING ALONG THE SOUTHWEST “ROCKET BELT”
From Texas to New Mexico up into California’s Central Valley, space entrepreneurs are setting up shop.
By Leonard David
18
SPACE-BASED WEAPONS:
A LEGACY OF DISASTER AND DISCOVERY
China’s recent show of military strength in space echoes the parry and feint of the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War. A history lesson could help us avoid any further escalation.
By Jim Oberg
20
EARTH TWO?
Once only a theory, a newly discovered world may be similar to our own.
By Ker Than
25
SPECIAL REPORT
GREEN REVOLUTION IN THE FINAL FRONTIER
Introduction by Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides
26
WANTED: SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER US
As global climate change becomes accepted as a reality, space-based assets take center stage.
By Leonard David
28
IN THE LIGHT OF AN ANGRY SUN
Our Sun warms and coaxes life on Earth, but its gift of energy is a double-edged sword.
By Dr. Barbara J. Thompson
30
HARD LIFE FOR MICROBES AND HUMANS ON THE RED PLANET
Unless humanity is cautious, the search for life on Mars may cause more harm if it is indeed found.
By Dr. Christopher P. McKay
32
CLEAR SKIES:
UNDERSTANDING THE ORBITAL DEBRIS PROBLEM
Not content to keep his litter planetside, mankind has exported the problem into low Earth orbit, endangering his own explorations.
By Dr. Jonathan W. Campbell
36
THE WINNERS OF THE 2007 NSS SPACE SETTLEMENT ART CONTEST
By Jim Plaxco
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Departments:
5
LETTER FROM
HEADQUARTERS
The Spacefarer’s Oath
By George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director
20
OPINION
NASA Needs the Institute for Advanced Concepts
By Matthew Silver
42
REVIEW
Spacecraft Films Apollo DVDs
Reviewed by Robert Z. Pearlman
43
COMMUNITY
Finding Community
By Gary Barnhard, Chairman of the Executive Committee
44
SPOTLIGHT
National Space Society Selects International Space University Scholarship Winners
45
CHAPTER LISTINGS
48
SIGNING OFF
Kennedy Space Center: 45 Years of Service
The missions change, but America’s leading spaceport rises to the occasion time and time again.
By Jim Banke