Friends,

Due to resource and time limitations we will not be able to hold our annual March Storm event this year. Please stay tuned as the Board works to regroup and redirect the organization to better meet the challenges of the current environment. If anyone would like more information please send me a note.  

The Interim Assessment on Space Based Solar Power can be downloaded from this location. ProSpace is calling on Congress to request that the Defense department prepare a complete system architecture study.

The National Science and Technology Council issued a report on Tsunami Risk Reduction in response to the Indonesian tsunami disaster. ProSpace is calling on the Council to lead the production of a similar report on NEO Detection and Risk Mitigation. The Tsunami report can be downloaded from this location.

ProSpace is pleased to present the 2008 Citizens' Space Agenda!

Please click here to download the Agenda.

Please click here to download the Space Solar Power letter.

Please click here to download draft NEO legislative language.

We will be presenting this Agenda to Congress during March Storm 2008.

March Storm 2008 is now two weeks away! If anyone is planning to attend but still hasn't registered, please do so soon by visiting http://www.prospace.org/?q=node/9.

 We are pleased to present a draft of the Citizen's Space Agenda page dedicated to Space-Based Solar Power. A draft of the page can be downloaded at this link.

ProSpace is calling upon Congress to express its support for the Department of Defense to continue studying Space Solar Power.

ProSpace is pleased to present a preview of the 2008 Citizens Space Agenda!

Near Earth Objects: Detection and Mitigation

Action Items:

- Immediately comply with the earlier request for programmatic and budgetary requirements to support search for objects as small as 140 meters.
- Support, co-sponsor and pass the NEO Preparedness Act (HR 4917)

A draft of the page can be downloaded at this link.

If you plan to attend March Storm 2008 and haven't registered, please do so soon. Registration information can be found at: http://www.prospace.org/?q=node/9.

 

Folks,

The ProSpace Board of Directors is actively working on developing the 2008 Agenda.

If you plan on attending March Storm 2008, I encourage you register at http://www.prospace.org/?q=node/9. Hotel and lodgin information can be found at: http://www.prospace.org/?q=node/33.

We have selected two themes for this year's March Storm:

Developing Space Resources
Develop Commercial Space Infrastructure

We are considering the following agenda topics under these themes:

Developing Space Resources

Our nation faces growing challenges regarding our energy needs, raw material sources, and concerns about climate change. Solving these challenges will require fundamental changes in technology and will have a large impact on our economy and national security. Space resources can and should be part of the solution:

1. Support and Demonstrate Space Based Solar Power
2. Near Earth Object (NEO) Detection and Risk Mitigation
   

Develop Commercial Space Infrastructure

Growing a new space economy requires smart investment in infrastructure and technology. These investments will extend our nation’s comparative economic advantage in space and position the commercial sector to develop new markets and services. A balanced portfolio of infrastructure investments will include:

1. Expand funding for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) in 2009 and beyond
2. Pass the Spaceport Equality Act
3. Pass the Aeronautics and Space Prize Act
   

As always, the Board welcomes your input, either here or on the ProSpace group on Facebook.

Regards,
Frank Johnson

 

Friends,

As Marc Schlather recently announced, the Board of Directors has elected me President of ProSpace. I am excited to take on this new role and I would like to take a moment to share with you some ideas for the New Year.

First, though, I would like to acknowledge Marc for his service as President. Marc is a capable leader and an excellent communicator. ProSpace made substantial progress during his tenure. Fortunately for us, he has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Board, so we will still have the benefit of his council.

Over the past decade, the concept of private human space flight has moved from dream to reality. It was the hard work of ProSpace volunteers that helped to put in place the regulatory framework that let this new industry to literally take flight. Much work remains to be done. The NewSpace industry will continue to have a place on our Agenda. But it is time to look farther ahead and identify the trends vital to our Nation’s needs.

Resource limitations and climate change have received bipartisan attention in recent years. The debate on these topics will always be vigorous. However, fundamental economic shifts are underway to address these issues. Space resources can and should have a larger role in the solutions being discussed. There is potential for new markets and new industries that can drive the development of the space frontier.

In September, ProSpace joined the Space Solar Alliance for Future Energy (www.ssafe.org). This alliance was formed as a response to the Phase 0 report on Space Based Solar Power prepared by the National Security Space Office. The report makes excellent arguments on how space solar power is vital to our Nation’s near-term economic and national security needs. We call on Congress to support the development of Space Solar Power resources to enhance our energy independence and meet critical National Security needs.

Last year, NASA completed a study on the potential impact hazards posed by near earth objects (NEO’s). This issue takes on special significance as 2008 is the centennial of the Tunguska impact event. NEO’s are an important part of our space environment and another potential source of space resources. We welcome the introduction of the NEO Preparedness Act (H.R. 4917) that would build the program needed to analyze and mitigate the NEO risk.

We also continue our focus on building the infrastructure required to support the NewSpace economy. In the 2008 budget, Congress significantly reduced support for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS). This reduction increases the risk that we will be unable to support the ISS after 2010. We call upon Congress to restore full support for COTS in future budgets.

New infrastructure is needed for many private space efforts to close their business cases. We urge Congress to pass the Spaceport Equality Act (S.1355/H.R.2285), which will open new sources of financing for municipalities to build spaceport facilities. We also welcome the introduction of the Aeronautics and Space Prize Act (H.R. 4917), which proposes and aeronautics and space prize program to develop aerospace research and development.

Finally, I would like to encourage everyone to attend March Storm 2008! Registration is now open and details can be found at www.prospace.org. I hope to see everyone in DC in March, and I would like to wish you and yours a Happy New Year.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the dates for March Storm 2008 have been changed by one week.

The new dates are March 9^th – March 12^th, 2008  in Washington, DC.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The March Storm training session will be held on March 9^th in the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, 1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209, 703-807-2000. This is the same location as previous year’s March Storm.

A block of rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn. For March 8-9, the rate is $109.00/night. For March 10-12 the rate is $159.00/night. The reservation block code is PSP. Please call the Holiday Inn directly to make the reservation.

March Storm 2008 will be held from March 2nd - March 5th in Washington DC!

Please visit our March Storm 2008 page for details and registration information.

ProSpace is proud to present the 2007 Citizens' Space Agenda!

Next week, over 30 volunteers from around the nation will gather on Capitol Hill to present the Agenda to Congressional offices during the annual March Storm event.

The action items for Congress from this year's Agenda:

• Support introduction and passage of The SPACE Act of 2007

• Support, co-sponsor and pass the Spaceport Equality Act;
• Support formation of The Space Infrastructure Interagency/Industry Task Force

• Remove all programmatic deadlines from CEV development that are not directly related to returning to the moon no later than 2020;
• Expand funding for COTS to enable the earliest possible demonstration of commercial cargo delivery and crew transfer systems. Budget sufficient funds for FY2009 and beyond to provide ample cargo and crew transfer capacity to maximize use of ISS;
• Prevent NASA from diverting funds from science, aeronautics and education programs to CEV, ISS and the Space Shuttle.

Click here to download the full agenda.