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Campaign to Save NEOSM (Near-Earth Object Surveyor Mission)
The Save NEOSM campaign will run throughout the summer of 2022. Over the next few months, NSS and the Alliance for Space Development (ASD) will be scheduling meetings with key congressional offices and splitting volunteers into action teams. Virtual training will be provided for all signups. Our training will include specifics on who we are, what we are advocating for, and how to participate in these virtual meetings. We make sure that everyone can contribute to our advocacy efforts regardless of prior experience. Don’t be afraid to sign up if it’s your first time advocating! More information will be provided by email after signup.
All actions events during 2022 will be virtual, using a combination of Zoom calls and conference calls.
Please direct any questions or comments to Executive Coordinator Cari Reinert at [email protected] and the NSS NEOSM Campaign Manager Jon Dagle at [email protected]
Background information
Our policy points were developed by our member organizations including the National Space Society, Space Frontier Foundation, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, and several others. During this period we will focus on three policy points, with a special focus on saving NEOSM from proposed devastating cuts:
- Support planetary defense by continued funding of NASA’s NEO Surveyor mission and other planetary defense initiatives.
- Support the Commercial LEO Development Program through CLD stations and products.
- Support the development of Space Solar Power capabilities through multiple programs between the Departments of Commerce and Defense.
Following years of success, we are in serious trouble with the NEO Surveyor Mission. This mission will supply critical information on near-Earth objects unavailable to current ground-based instruments by using infrared detection and the Earth-Sun L1 orbit.
The Commercial LEO Development (CLD) Program supports industry efforts to develop sustained commercial LEO presence, transition manned LEO activity from NASA to commercial partners, develop commercial LEO destinations, stimulate commercial growth in LEO, and ensure a seamless transition at the end-of-life for the International Space Station. We are asking for funding of CLD stations and purchase of CLD products.
We are also continuing our efforts to promote Space Solar Power (SSP). SSP refers to the collection of the sun’s energy in the space environment, then beaming that energy for collection on the Earth’s surface. After a discussion with representatives from ASD member organizations, we believe our country’s capabilities with space access, solar power, and energy transfer have reached a level where we can begin looking at an SSP program. With increasingly cheaper access to orbit and a growing need for energy across the globe, this program could pave the way to U.S. dominance in LEO. Several agencies, companies, and international competitors have already begun their own research into SSP programs, and ASD is asking for government focus into this capability.
ASD 2022 Objectives [PDF]
Space Policy Blog Posts:
Book Review: Escaping Gravity
A former Executive Director of NSS and Deputy Administrator of NASA, Garver has been a pivotal force in modern spaceflight, and the ups and downs of that journey are well related in this no-holds-barred book.
Prominent Space Organizations Join in Support of NASA’s NEO Surveyor Asteroid-Finder
The National Space Society and Planetary Society Issue Joint Statement on the Urgent Need to Fund Planetary Defense The National Space Society, based in Washington, D.C., recently partnered with the Planetary Society, based in Pasadena, CA, to create a joint statement...
NASA’s Planetary Defense Telescope (NEOSM) is Too Important to Cut
The NSS Campaign to Save NEOSM (Near-Earth Object Surveyor Mission) By Jonathan Dagle, NSS Planetary Defense Program Manager Asteroids have been striking the Earth for millions of years, and it is only a matter of “when” the next impact will occur, not “if.” Since the...
NSS Statement on Russia ASAT Test
The National Space Society (NSS) strongly condemns the anti-satellite (ASAT) test that Russia conducted on November 15, 2021. Russia’s intentional destruction of one of its old satellites created thousands of new pieces of debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). The debris...
NSS Supports the 2021 State of the Space Industrial Base Report
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NSS Town Hall Sept 9: NSS Policy Committee
You are Invited to the National Space Society Town Hall Thursday, September 9, 202, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT REGISTER FOR THIS ONLINE EVENT Subject: The NSS Policy Committee with Special Guests As a grass-roots advocacy and educational organization, the National Space...
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By Michelle Hanlon President, National Space Society Sunday, June 27 at 1:00 PM Eastern time. NSS has planned a special program, devoting two hours to explore and answer your questions about the Artemis Accords. I am honored to be joined by Dr. Andrea Harrington,...
NSS Supports Scott Pace SpaceNews OpEd
Scott Pace, former NSS Executive Vice President, former Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, and Director of the Space Policy Institute at the Elliott School of International Affairs, has written an OpEd in SpaceNews called "NOAA is stalling U.S. space...
NSS Legal Fellows Program Accepting Applications
The mission of the National Space Society’s (NSS) Legal Fellows Program is to provide gifted and highly motivated law students with a national platform to make their voices and ideas heard in respect to the continuing evolution of international and national space law....
Public-Private Partnerships: The Way to Space
By Fisher Smith, NSS Legal Fellow In recent years, private companies have begun to push the boundaries of outer space, making it more affordable to launch rockets and developing new technologies that have revolutionized the industry. SpaceX, Blue Origin, Nanoracks,...