Ad Astra 2006 Summer (Volume 18 Number 2)
Cover image: Space Elevator by Dan Roam ©
Featured Articles:
- 14
COMMANDING THE VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE
For U.S. Air Force ColonelJack Weinstein, commanding the 30th Space Wing in California is like having a front-row seat to the future.
By Leonard David - 16
MOON FLAG FLIES OVER MARS DESERT OUTPOST
Members of the Moon Society simulate a Moon Base at the Mars Desert Research Station.
By Peter Kokh - 23
SPACE SETTLEMENTS: THE STATE OF THE ART
Introduction by Mark M. Hopkins - 24
SAVING HUMANITY:
ELON MUSK ON THE NEED FOR SPACE SETTLEMENT
Ad Astra interview by Robin Snelson - 26
MISSION TO MARS: THE OUTBOUND JOURNEY
The first manned mission to Earth’s crimson neighbor will be difficult, the author writes, but the technological problems are not insurmountable.
By James Oberg - 28
MAINTAINING THE MIND
Deep space missions may have technological hurdles, but preserving the sanity of crewmembers far from home may prove the toughest challenge.
By Tariq Malik - 30
LIVING IN A TIN CAN
Biosphere 2 generated lots of jokes for late-night comedians, but the failure to create closed Earth-like ecosystems for long term space missions is no laughing matter.
By Jane Poynter - 32
MINING NEAR-EARTH ASTEROIDS
The Solar System beckons with resources unimaginable on Earth.
By Dr. Daniel D. Durda - 34
THINKING DIFFERENTLY WITH SPACE ELEVATORS
By depending too much on rocketry and brute force, humanity might be missing its chance to glide into space on gossamer threads.
By Dave Brody - 38
WHAT IS THE BEST TRAJECTORY TO REACH AN ASTEROID?
The European Space Agency’s Advanced Concepts Team held a contest for engineers to find the best trajectory from our planet to asteroid 2001 TW229.
By Bill Christensen
- 5
LETTER FROM
HEADQUARTERS
The Next Great Journey
By George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director - 20
OPINION
Failure to Launch
The Bush Administration should have included space exploration and science in the American Competitiveness Initiative.
By Dr. Ernest J. Cioffi - 42
REVIEWS
Space Race: The Epic Battle Between America and the Soviet Union for Dominion of Space
Reviewed by John F. Kross
Apollo Moon Missions: The Unsung Heroes
Reviewed by Robert Z. Pearlman - 43
COMMUNITY
Space Settlements: Let’s Have No Unnecessary Sense of Self-limitation
By Gary Barnhard, Chairman of the Executive Committee - 44
SPOTLIGHT
Jack Fox: Founder of the Florida Space Coast Chapter of the National Space Society - 45
CHAPTER LISTINGS - 48
SIGNING OFF
Apollo-Soyuz: A Remembrance
By Andrew Chaikin
Ad Astra 2006 Summer (Volume 18 Number 2)
Cover image: Space Elevator by Dan Roam ©
Featured Articles:
- 14
COMMANDING THE VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE
For U.S. Air Force ColonelJack Weinstein, commanding the 30th Space Wing in California is like having a front-row seat to the future.
By Leonard David - 16
MOON FLAG FLIES OVER MARS DESERT OUTPOST
Members of the Moon Society simulate a Moon Base at the Mars Desert Research Station.
By Peter Kokh - 23
SPACE SETTLEMENTS: THE STATE OF THE ART
Introduction by Mark M. Hopkins - 24
SAVING HUMANITY:
ELON MUSK ON THE NEED FOR SPACE SETTLEMENT
Ad Astra interview by Robin Snelson - 26
MISSION TO MARS: THE OUTBOUND JOURNEY
The first manned mission to Earth’s crimson neighbor will be difficult, the author writes, but the technological problems are not insurmountable.
By James Oberg - 28
MAINTAINING THE MIND
Deep space missions may have technological hurdles, but preserving the sanity of crewmembers far from home may prove the toughest challenge.
By Tariq Malik - 30
LIVING IN A TIN CAN
Biosphere 2 generated lots of jokes for late-night comedians, but the failure to create closed Earth-like ecosystems for long term space missions is no laughing matter.
By Jane Poynter - 32
MINING NEAR-EARTH ASTEROIDS
The Solar System beckons with resources unimaginable on Earth.
By Dr. Daniel D. Durda - 34
THINKING DIFFERENTLY WITH SPACE ELEVATORS
By depending too much on rocketry and brute force, humanity might be missing its chance to glide into space on gossamer threads.
By Dave Brody - 38
WHAT IS THE BEST TRAJECTORY TO REACH AN ASTEROID?
The European Space Agency’s Advanced Concepts Team held a contest for engineers to find the best trajectory from our planet to asteroid 2001 TW229.
By Bill Christensen
- 5
LETTER FROM
HEADQUARTERS
The Next Great Journey
By George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director - 20
OPINION
Failure to Launch
The Bush Administration should have included space exploration and science in the American Competitiveness Initiative.
By Dr. Ernest J. Cioffi - 42
REVIEWS
Space Race: The Epic Battle Between America and the Soviet Union for Dominion of Space
Reviewed by John F. Kross
Apollo Moon Missions: The Unsung Heroes
Reviewed by Robert Z. Pearlman - 43
COMMUNITY
Space Settlements: Let’s Have No Unnecessary Sense of Self-limitation
By Gary Barnhard, Chairman of the Executive Committee - 44
SPOTLIGHT
Jack Fox: Founder of the Florida Space Coast Chapter of the National Space Society - 45
CHAPTER LISTINGS - 48
SIGNING OFF
Apollo-Soyuz: A Remembrance
By Andrew Chaikin