Ad Astra
The magazine of the National Space Society
Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2009
On The Cover: The Ares I crew
and Ares V cargo launch vehicles
are poised to serve as the United States’ primary ride to space.
Featured Articles:
12
Space Policy
MOON RUSH:
IS THE UNITED STATES SITTING OUT OF THE NEXT SPACE RACE?
By Jeffrey Marlow
14
Space Settlement
WHY GO TO THE MOON?
by Dean E. Davis
18
CRASH COURSE
The collision of American and Russian satellites in low Earth orbit in February raised an already high threat level of orbiting debris.
By James Oberg
24
THE MARS DEBATE
Cost overruns and delays to the Mars Science Laboratory have created a firestorm of controversy.
28
HOW SPACE CAN IMPROVE LIFE ON EARTH
Future space applications promise revolutionary improvements in our quality of life.
By Dr. Stan Rosen
32
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
Constellation’s future in the Obama administration.
By John F. Kross
36
SPACE AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
Key challenges await President Obama.
By Jeff Foust
38
INSPIRATION FOR INNOVATION
The Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge.
By Gregg Maryniak
42
SPACE X 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW
The Falcon 1 launch vehicle became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to achieve Earth orbit.
Departments:
7
LETTER FROM
HEADQUARTERS
By George Whitesides and Brett Silcox
9
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Somewhere Out There
By Mark Mayfield
11
NSS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Remembering Majel Barrett
Remembering Konrad Dannenberg
52
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Perspectives
By Gary Barnhard
54
SPACE SETTLEMENT
Ideas: The Central Thrust of the NSS Strategic Plan
By Mark Hopkins
56
BOOKS
Homesteading Space: The Skylab Story, by David Hitt, Owen Garriott, and Joe Kerwin
Reviewed by Bart Leahy
The Pluto Files, by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Reviewed by Talia Page
Planetology, by Tom Jones and
Ellen Stofan
Reviewed by Marianne Dyson
60
CHAPTER LISTINGS
64
SIGNING OFF
World’s Largest Vacuum Chamber