July 26, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

There were 12 persons in attendance at the meeting.

We were delighted April joined us with students from her Mars or Bust SMU class for gifted 7th and 8th graders.  April’s students talked with us about their experience in their summer class and their thoughts on space related topics.  We also discussed Kurt’s presentation during the summer class, which was a big hit.  Kurt talked about the political and cultural aspects of an early Mars colony.  The students brought a copy of a map of mars signed by the students in April’s class to thank the mars society for their support and for donation of Robert Zubrin’s book Case for Mars. We really enjoyed talking with April and her students.

We also talked about Moon day at the Frontiers of Flight museum which was held earlier this month.  Curtis brought in a news article on the event and reported Moon day was a great success. More than 500 people were in attendance. Several organizations had booths to include North Richland Hills astronaut training center, Dallas Area Rocket Club, and Armadillo aerospace.

We also talked about Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming event The Planets.

Mark came up with a really great design for t-shirts for the upcoming Aug 5th -8th convention in Dayton.  He brought an illustration of the design to show the group.  Fifty one T-shirts in various sizes were ordered from Zazzle and will be sold at the convention.

We talked at length about our proposal to host next year’s convention in Dallas.  The proposal is coming together really well.  Kurt brought a copy of a draft of the proposal for review.  We expect to finish up the proposal in the next couple of weeks.

We talked about a number of possible venues for the convention and their amenities including whether there is a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, attached restaurants and free internet.  We haven’t selected a venue yet and are still considering options.  We talked about possible convention day trips such as the TCU Metorite Gallery and the Frontiers of Flights museum and the possibility of a low morning session rate for attendance by home schoolers and families.  Last we discussed creating a flyer for the convention and various locations where they could potentially be posted such as area Universities and museums.

Posted in DFW Chapter | No Comments »

July 19, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

by Freya Jackson — last modified 2010-07-19 13:16

On Friday, July 16, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously approved the NASA Authorization Act of 2010, with funding included on the initiative of Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) for the space agency to begin the development of a heavy lift launch vehicle (HLV). The Mars Society cheers this decision.

In a statement released today, Mars Society president Dr. Robert Zubrin hailed the Senate Committee’s decision to fund HLV development as a vitally necessary step towards restoring a productive human spaceflight program.

“The Senate Committee was absolutely right in insisting on immediate funding of HLV development,” Dr. Zubrin said. “Heavy lift is the essential prerequisite for sending human explorers beyond low Earth orbit. We flew our first HLV, the Saturn V, in 1967, and two years later we were on the Moon. Lacking HLV capability since the 1970s, we have not gone anywhere in 37 years.

“That said, HLV capability, while necessary, is by itself insufficient for a productive human space exploration program. We also need a coherent set of flight hardware elements for the HLV to lift. President Obama has called for NASA to make a mission to a near Earth asteroid by 2025 its proximate goal, as a milestone towards a human mission to Mars by mid century. These goals are good, but the schedule is unnecessarily slow and costly.

“A mission to a near Earth asteroid requires four primary flight elements: a crew reentry capsule, a space habitation module, an upper stage capable of throwing the capsule/hab combination on an Earth-escape trajectory, and an HLV to lift the lot to low Earth orbit. Under the Senate Committee’s provisions, work on the capsule and the HLV are now funded. The upper stage should also be included within the HLV program, just as the S-IVB was in the Saturn V development. The hab module development, incorporating life support, power, and deep space maneuver systems should be funded as soon as possible.

“If this is done, there is no reason why NASA cannot perform a human mission to a near Earth asteroid by 2016, instead of 2025. Furthermore, with the development of two additional primary flight systems, specifically a Mars entry descent and landing system module, and a Mars ascent vehicle, NASA will possess the complete set of primary flight hardware systems needed to send human missions to Mars. Approached in this manner, we could have our first human explorers on Mars by 2020, instead of 2040 or 2050.

“Since the NASA human spaceflight program costs on the order of $10 billion per year, whether it goes anywhere or not, such an acceleration of the agency’s schedule promises to save the taxpayers $200 to $300 billion. It would thus be extremely wasteful, and in fact fiscally irresponsible, to stretch out the program timeline through sequential rather than parallel development of its necessary flight elements.

“The American people want and deserve a human spaceflight program that is actually going somewhere. Through their action in funding HLV development, the members and staff of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee have taken a critical first step towards making that possible. The Mars Society congratulates Senator Nelson, his staff, and all others who contributed towards this vital action. Now it is necessary to follow through and develop the rest of the flight hardware set so that the HLV is not left waiting forever on the pad with nothing to launch. Instead of yet another decade of stagnation, let us make the coming years ones of bold accomplishment. On to the asteroids. On to Mars.”

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org. An in-depth discussion and strategy session for dealing with the crisis facing the US space program will be held at the 13th International Mars Society convention, August 5-8, 2010, Marriott Hotel, Dayton, Ohio. Registration is now open at www.marssociety.org.

Posted in National Chapter | No Comments »

July 19, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

There were 10 persons in attendance. The meeting opened with a discussion of the successful launch of SpaceX Falcon.

The upcoming Mars Society convention was also discussed.  The convention will be held in Dayton, Ohio August 5th thru the 8th.  Several members are considering attending the convention.

The group voted to purchase t-shirts to sell at the convention.  Mark mentioned he would forward t-shirt design ideas.

We also discussed SMU’s talented and gifted program for youths.  April will be teaching a course on Mars colonization.  The group voted to purchase a case of Robert Zubrin’s book The Case for Mars for April to hand out to students.

As a last topic, we discussed the 2011 convention and proposal to host the convention in Dallas.  Curtis brought materials on the West End hotel and Tom brought materials on the Hilton and Embassy Suites.  The group reviewed and discussed the materials.  Tom and Kurt conveyed plans to tour the hotels.  Tom prepared a draft proposal which the chapter plans to refine after tour of the hotels.

Posted in National Chapter, DFW Chapter | No Comments »

July 16, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

CREATE  |  APPAREL  |  MUGS  |  POSTAGE  |  CARDS  |  POSTERS  |  GIFTS  |  ALL

View “2010 TMS Convention Tshirt” by dallasmars Create your own products @ Zazzle.com

Posted in National Chapter | No Comments »

June 8, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

There were 6 members attending.

Curtis reviewed what he learned from the Weston DFW Hotel - the Weston DFW appears to be within the guildlines, but some details may need ironing out.

Dan mentioned the need to keep big doners happy in whatever venue is selected.

Treasury unchanged - still waiting to hear from April about The Case for Mars books we voted to buy last month.

On a related note, Curtis asked about MS Convention t-shirts for this year - (Mark) responded that I’d have to do some homework and would try to figure out something (could use a little guidance on this).

Dan brought his current Readers Digest that had an article about the MER rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.

Jan (teacher visiting past DMS meetings for help with a space themed event she had been planning) came by before the meeting and talked with Dan to let us know how well her event was received.

Curtis mentioned that the librarian from Perry Middle School had emailed him that they will have some type of grant for Space Week next year - there is also a video of Carol’s presentation on Perry’s  web site (couldn’t find it, still need URL for this).

Mark (substituting for Kris - hope I didn’t leave anything important out)

Posted in DFW Chapter | 1 Comment »

May 16, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

There were seven members in attendance.

The Dallas Mars Society is preparing a proposal to host the 2011 Mars Society convention in Dallas.  The meeting opened with a report on progress.  Mars society members are reviewing potential venues in the area and have found several places which look like good options.

These options include the Embassy suites and Hilton near Grapevine Mills mall, and the Westin hotels in Irving and the Galleria area.  Tom toured and received bids from Embassy Suites and from Hilton.  Curtis toured and brought in information on the Westin hotel in Irving.

We discussed things we are looking for in a venue.  These things include:

• Physical resources for about 250 attendees
• 150 -200 room nights, or about 40-50 rooms for 4 day convention
• Meeting areas considering convention running four days, Thursday through Sunday:
• Registration area Wednesday night
• Large room each morning for seating about 300 persons
• 4 breakout rooms each afternoon seating about 30 to 50 persons classroom style
• Tickets and vendor areas each day
• Mixer area each day for coffee and snacks.
• Tickets, vendor/mixer area the same area if possible, and close to the main area and securable at night
• Reception area on Thursday
• Formal banquet area Saturday night seating about 200 persons
• Two rooms Thurs through Sun evening for evening activities
• Executive meeting room for the steering committee for one afternoon, with room for about 40 people
• Convenient location, easily accessible
• Convenient access from the airport, a plus if there is free shuttle to/from the airport
• Nice and reasonable in price

Don mentioned he would tour the Westin hotel in the Galleria area before the next meeting.  We planned to discuss the venues further next meeting and planned to complete the proposal in June or July of this summer.

This year’s convention will be held in Dayton, Ohio August 5th thru 8th.  We discussed setting aside funding from the treasury for t-shirts for this year’s convention.  Several members are considering attending this year’s convention.

We also voted to purchase more Robert Zubrin’s Case for Mars books.  We voted to donate some of these books to April to hand out at her SMU summer class.

The Dallas Mars society, the NSS local chapter, and Bent Tree Bible fellowship recently supported Perry Middle school’s space week through construction of a space station, mars landscape, other exhibits, and class presentations.  Perry reported that they received a funding award to expand their space exhibit for next year.  Perry is planning to add a second module to the space station with this funding.  We are looking forward to participating in the exhibit’s construction and Perry’s space week next year.

Posted in DFW Chapter | No Comments »

April 5, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

by Susan Holden Martin, MBA — last modified 2010-04-05 07:58

Information received by the Mars Society indicates that there is a real chance that on April 15, President Barack Obama will announce a bold new space policy that breaks substantially from the disastrous “flexible path to nowhere” policy floated by administration spokesmen before Congress on February 2. It is imperative that every person who wants to see a spacefaring future for humanity – and who wants to see the United States to continue to be a spacefaring nation - mobilize now to secure that result.

The situation is this: On February 2, NASA and OSTP representatives appeared before Congress presenting a new NASA budget and plan that would have cancelled the Bush administration’s Constellation program – designed to develop hardware that would enable a reach to the Moon by 2020 – without putting anything comparable in its place.  Instead, the administration offered to increase NASA’s budget, but to spend the money on a random set of fanciful technology programs which would not fit together and which would not enable us to fly anywhere. Coming at a time when the Shuttle program is terminating, the plan offered by the administration would not merely guarantee zero accomplishment for NASA’s human spaceflight program for the next decade, it would effectively put it out of business. The reaction to the proposal from Congress has accordingly been extremely negative, and not merely from Republicans, but also, in fact especially, from Democrats, who face electoral destruction in Florida should the plan remain in place. The pressure to break from it has therefore become extreme.

That said, the people who pushed for the original Feb 2 policy are still around, and are fighting to keep their policy in place. The decision point that will determine who will prevail will be Obama’s April 15 speech at Kennedy Space Center.

The nominal objective claimed by both camps is Mars.  The question at issue is it “Mars someday” or “Mars in our time.” This is THE central issue, not just because many of us would prefer to get to Mars sooner rather than later, but because “Mars someday” means that no real flyable hardware will be built, and not only will we accomplish nothing for human spaceflight in the next ten years, but, with the STS program ending, even our existing human spaceflight capabilities will collapse. In contrast, “Mars in our time” means we really develop an HLV and other flight hardware, and not only keep flying, but make real progress.

The obvious technical fix to the impending loss of human orbital launch capability is not to cancel the Orion and Ares I programs, but to simply scale down the Orion to an “Orion lite.” With a diameter reduced to 4.5 m this could still seat 4 comfortably, or 6 in a pinch. Such a reduced mass Orion-lite could be easily launched to orbit by a basic 4 segment Ares I, which has already been mostly developed by the Constellation program, as well as by the existing Atlas V, and, if needed, possibly by a Delta IV or Arianne as well, giving us a very robust capability for reaching orbit.

Such an Orion-lite would be MORE useful than the existing oversized Orion, because it would be lighter, and therefore much more desirable for use in lunar, Near Earth Asteroid (NEA), or Mars missions. Together with a Heavy Lift Vehicle (HLV, such as the proposed Ares V), and a hab-module, it would provide all the hardware needed to do an NEA mission. Such a mission could certainly be done by 2016, i.e. before the end of an Obama second term, and since it would demonstrate a large subset of the Mars mission flight hardware, it would not just be an asteroid mission, but a flight exercise building visibly towards a human mission to Mars. And clearly, if this option is embraced, it means that an HLV (plus a capsule, and a hab module) will REALLY be developed.

Again, the combination of an Orion-lite, an HLV, and a hab module represents all the hardware needed for the US to undertake piloted NEA exploration missions, and about half the hardware set needed to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars as well.

There is REAL SUPPORT for an NEA plan such as that indicated above, but the outcome is by no means certain. We need to do everything we can NOW to tip the balance. The choice between “Mars in our time” or “Mars someday” is the choice between a space program that goes somewhere and a space program that goes nowhere. An NEA mission by 2016 is entirely doable, and committing to it would develop half the hardware set needed to get humans to Mars, while finally breaking psychological bonds limiting us to short duration flights in geocentric space.

The choice thus is this: by 2016, we could be halfway to nowhere, or halfway to Mars.

If on April 15, Obama commits to a piloted NEA mission by 2016, we will be well on our way to the Red Planet. If instead he attempts to defend the February 2 policy, the American human spaceflight program could be doomed.

Friends, we need to move fast. This decision point could be the best chance we have to get a humans to Mars program launched in our lifetimes. It could also be our last chance.

Please act now, and write letters, faxes, or emails, (letters or faxes are best) to President Obama, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), and to your own Senators and Congressmen. Tell them you want a REAL humans to Mars program – Mars in Our Time, not “someday”, but in our time – with the commitment made REAL by setting a goal of sending astronauts to a Near Earth Asteroid by 2016.

Addresses for writing President Obama and Senator Bill Nelson are given below. Nelson is key because he is the leader in Florida pushing to save NASA. Your letter will provide him with the overwhelming evidence of national support for an NEA mission that will create the hardware to get us to Mars by 2016 and enable him to succeed in his efforts to restore vital funding for this program. Be sure you send him a copy.

To reach the White House:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD
Comments: 202-456-6213

The White House may also be reached by email by using the form at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

To reach Senator Nelson:

Senator Bill Nelson
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183

To find your Representative and Senators go to:

http://www.house.gov/  (look in the upper left-hand corner)
http://www.senate.gov/ (look in the upper right-hand corner)

All members of Congress can be reached through the Capitol switchboard. The number is 202-224-3121. If you call, ask to speak to a legislative aide concerned with the Space Program.

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org. An in-depth discussion and strategy session for dealing with the crisis facing the US Space Program will be held at the 13th International Mars Society Convention, August 5-8, 2010, Marriott Hotel, Dayton, Ohio. Registration is now open at www.marssociety.org.

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at www.marssociety.org. Your donations are welcome.
This newsletter was sent because you subscribed at the Mars Society web site, or were subscribed as a Mars Society member, or had previously subscribed at the Yahoo Group. You can opt out or change your delivery format in your preferences at http://www.marssociety.org/portal/personalize_form (once you’ve logged in). This and other news can be found at The Mars Society Web site at http://www.marssociety.org/portal/news.

Posted in Mars News, National Chapter | No Comments »

March 30, 2010 by dallasmarssociety.

The meeting opened with a report on Perry Middle school’s annual space week which was held at Perry the week of March 8th. Mars society and National Space Society volunteers assisted with the construction of a moc-up space station, a martian landscape with a remote controlled mars rover, and other exhibits which were displayed during space week. Don designed and built a spacewalk simulator. Perry reported that Don’s space walk simulator was tied to Perry’s unit on physics and motion. Carol from NSS and Kurt both gave presentations during the week. Space week was a great success and the exhibits were a big hit. Curtis reported that photos of the exhibits are posted to the NSS yahoo group. The group discussed options for expanding on the exhibits for next year. Options we discussed included a moc-up airlock.

Next on the agenda the group discussed the Mars Society 2011 convention. At the last chapter meeting, the group voted to propose to host the convention in Dallas in 2011. Kurt brought convention requirements and a checklist he received from the national chapter. Kurt mentioned he would email the checklist and requirements to the yahoo group. The group discussed hotel prospects and plans to investigate prospects this month and report back next meeting. Curtis mentioned he would write up some pointers from the NSS conference hosted by the Dallas NSS chapter held in Dallas in 2007.

The group also discussed the 2010 Mars Society convention to be held in Dayton August 5th- 8th. Several members are considering attending the 2010 convention.

Posted in DFW Chapter | No Comments »

March 2, 2010 by dallasmarssociety.

There were 7 persons in attendance. We were delighted Jan was able to join us again this month. Jan is a K-5 teacher at a local school who attended last month’s meeting. Jan is working on an Imagine Mars project with her school and JPL. Jan’s school is also planning a Celebration of Flight Day in May. We enjoyed talking with Jan and sharing ideas related to Jan’s school projects.

The meeting opened with a discussion of NASA’s Spirit rover which is stuck on mars. We additionally discussed the space budget.

Mark brought a book on space to donate to the NSS local chapter.

Dan reported on ConDFW, literary sci-fi and fantasy convention held February 12-14. April and Derek from SpaceX and Bill Ledbetter from the local chapter of NSS talked about mars and space at the convention’s Mars panel.

We also discussed Perry Middle school’s space week which will be held the week of March 15th. Two mars society members volunteered last Saturday to help with construction of the moc-up space station to be exhibited during space week. The next and last construction day will be next Saturday. The moc-up space station will be completed and a martian landscape and other exhibits will be constructed next weekend. Mars society and Bent Tree Bible Fellowship church volunteers will be assisting the construction next weekend.

Don designed and built a space walk simulator for Perry’s space week. The space walk simulator received rave reviews when it was tested out at the school. Perry is planning to purchase materials for a second simulator so that more kids will be able to able to experiment with the simulator during space week.

Carol from the NSS local chapter and Kurt from the Mars Society chapter will be speaking at Perry during space week. Perry is planning to telecast the presentations to other local schools.

We concluded with a discussion of the 2011 Mars convention. The group voted to propose to host the convention in Dallas in 2011. The group voted Tom as proposal lead.

Posted in DFW Chapter | No Comments »

February 11, 2010 by Gregory Tucker.

There were 7 persons in attendance at the meeting.  We missed Kurt who was unable to attend.  We welcomed Jan who is a K-5 grade art teacher at a local school.  Jan is working on an Imagine Mars project at her school with Jet Propulsion Laboratories.  We enjoyed talking with Jan and sharing ideas related to her class project.

We also talked about the upcoming Perry Middle School project.  The group is donating $125 to assist with the repair of the school’s moc-up space station.  Construction of the space station is scheduled on Feb 27th and March 6th.  The space station will be demo’d during the school’s space station week March 8th-12th.

Con DFW, literary sci-fi/fantasy convention, is scheduled Feb 12th through the 14th.  NSS of North Texas has arranged tracks on Mars, the moon, and space settlements.  Kurt, April and Derek from SpaceX, and Bill Ledbetter (president of the local NSS chapter) will be speaking on Mars.  The Mars panel is scheduled for 10 am on the 13th.  Mark is planning to print flyers to hand out at the convention.

The group discussed the 2011 Mars convention. The group decided to wait to vote on whether to propose to host the convention until next meeting.

The group also discussed the NASA budget which came out last week.  The budget overview and some additional budget documents can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/news/budget/

Posted in DFW Chapter | No Comments »