Features

23rd International Space Development Conference (ISDC) Energized by New Bush "Moon to Mars and Beyond" Plan. The conference, hosted by the Oklahoma Space Alliance chapter of the National Space Society (NSS), will take place from the 27th to the 31st of May in Oklahoma City. NSS, a non-profit organization, is sponsoring ISDC to update members of space organizations on the latest space information and trends. The conference also looks to introduce interested members of the public to a wide variety of space issues, which will be presented by noted scientists, astronauts, and business and civic leaders. NSS has changed the organizational structure of its annual meeting to focus on purposes rather than destinations. Consequently, the Moon program track has been exchanged for the Solar System Resources track, to be chaired by Arthur Smith. Lunar resources and early lunar business opportunities are expected to be discussed. Some other tracks include Pioneering Space, Commercial Space/Financing Space, Space Advocacy & Chapter Projects and Advanced Propulsion & Technology. Keynote speaker will be Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, Chair of the Aerospace States Association. She will be complemented by speakers Melchor J. Antunano, FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute Director; Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 Astronaut and Lunar Geologist; Courtney Stadd, former NASA Chief of Staff; Rick Tumlinson, Space Frontier Foundation President and founder; and Robert Zubrin, Mars Society President. Conference rates are US$125 (one banquet included) for adults and $100 for students with prices rising $25 after 1 May. Info www.isdc2004.org.

PERMANENT Seeking Papers, Artwork to Develop Animations Illustrating NEO Utilization. Projects to Employ Resources of the Moon and Asteroids Near Earth in the Near Term, headed by Mark Prado, is soliciting technical papers, artistic images and technical drawings to create animations, which show possible Near Earth Object utilization and applications. Also it is looking to co-op with other institutions and organizations. Those that help out could get their logo on the final work as well as in the credits. Rights could be shared. Prado says the videos will be based on the most likely engineering techniques to be applied, based on the literature. Only present-day technology and lowest risk techniques will be considered. The intention is that PERMANENT's projects will be implemented from the private sector. Power will go to the creative entrepreneurs with no discrimination based on race, nationality, etc. Prado says it is best to develop space internationally. If one country over-regulates, then others will be relied on more. The following are candidate videos: NEO probe; NEO mining apparatus; flotilla of steam rockets returning small payloads to Earth orbit, nuclear or solar; condos in LEO; human missions to NEOs, the Moon and infrastructure to support a Mars mission, factories, orbital antenna farms; SPS space utility for selling power. Info www.permanent.com; projects@permanent.com. Prado's side business is www.OffshoreLabor.com.

Sean O’Keefe Accepts NASA Rebuilding Challenge, USSEP Hearing Set for Atlanta. NASA Administrator O’Keefe in a recent letter to the editor of Florida Today, expresses the intent of the USA space agency to “renew our credibility and trust with Congress and the American people.” In response to recommendations in an 18 Mar editorial entitled “Mend Political Fences,” O’Keefe says NASA will lay out more budget and program details "for our next steps in lunar exploration" and the crew exploration vehicle. He also mentions NASA dedication to ensure safety and financial responsibility and flexibility so that investments remain affordable and sustainable. “As we work to implement this vision, we are confident that the men and women of NASA will help fuel American creativity, innovation, technology development and leadership.” Meanwhile, the presidential United States Space Exploration Policy commission holds its third public hearing on Moon, Mars and Beyond in Atlanta GA today and tomorrow. Scheduled to testify first are space entrepreneurs Elon Musk of SpaceX, Peter Diamandis of Zero Gravity Corp and Jeff Greason of XCOR Aerospace, followed by three academics of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Winston Scott of the Florida Space Authority, John Hager and Tim Huddleston will serve as witnesses for “Developing Public / Private Partnerships.” Thursday begins with various witnesses speaking on “Building Space Jobs” and “National Research Council Report: ‘Safe on Mars.’” Apollo 11 Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin will follow with his own personal testimony before the hearing ends with “Commercial Space and Economic Feasibility” and “Media Panel,” featuring Miles O’Brien of CNN, Daniel Stone of Space Holdings (Space.com, Space News and Starry Night) and others. More info www.moontomars.org.