Ad Astra
The magazine of the National Space Society
Volume 20, Number 3 Fall 2008
On The Cover: On July 26 in Mohave, California, Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic rolled out WhiteKnightTwo, the carrier plane for SpaceShipTwo. The cover illustration depicts the full configuration of WhiteKnightTwo, with SpaceShipTwo mounted below the wing in the center. As part of the National Space Society’s new Space Ambassadors program, one person will receive a complimentary ticket to ride aboard SpaceShipTwo.
Featured Articles:
14
SPACE AMBASSADORS
A new NSS program will bring space to the people, and send one person into space.
by Katie Bailey
20
AT HOME IN ORBIT
As the International Space Station nears completion, our first permanent address in the stars is finally living up to its name.
By John F. Kross
24
PHOENIX RISING
Built from the ashes of failed projects, the Mars Phoenix Lander continues to surprise scientists with new and unexpected results.
By Douglas Messier
32
COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION:
A MODERN DAY EVEREST
The FAA associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation talks about what it means to be an explorer in the 21st century.
By George C. Nield
36
WORK IN PROGRESS:
NASA’S CONSTELLATION PROGRAM TAKES SHAPE
By Brett Silcox
40
INTERNATIONAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
An overview of the NSS’s 2008 annual conference.
By Clark S. Lindsey
44
HUGH DOWNS: “SHIPS FOR THE STARS”
Transcript of speech by Hugh Downs at the 2009 ISDC, where the legendary broadcaster was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
47
2008 NSS AWARD WINNERS
Individuals and groups honored for their dedication to the future of a spacefaring civilization.
By John K. Strickland
[More information]
48
STUDENT VISIONARIES
NSS presents the winners of the annual NSS-NASA Ames Space Settlement Design Contest.
By Al Globus
[More information]
50
IMAGES OF SPACE SETTLEMENT
Coming to a calendar near you. NSS celebrates the 2009 Space Settlement Calendar contest winners.
By Bart Leahy
[More information]
Departments:
9
LETTER FROM
HEADQUARTERS
Touching Space
By George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director
11
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Worth Remembering
By Mark Mayfield
13
NSS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Book available: Sun Power: The Global Solution for the Coming Energy Crisis
17
CORRESPONDENCE
54
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
We Live in Interesting Times: Engagement in the Space Movement
By Gary Barnhard
56
SPACE SETTLEMENT
The Space Movement
By Mark Hopkins
59
BOOKS
SpaceShipOne: An Illustrated History, by Dan Linehan
Reviewed by Mark Mayfield
60
CHAPTER LISTINGS
64
SIGNING OFF
Farewell, Hubble