Space Exploration Alliance
Encyclopedia
On June 3, 2004, thirteen of the United States
' premier space advocacy
groups, industry associations and space
policy
organizations teamed up to form an umbrella organization known as the Space Exploration Alliance. The primary purpose of the SEA is to support the White House's plan to refocus NASA
's human space activities toward exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
This effort, officially known as the Vision for Space Exploration
was announced on January 15, 2004 by President George W. Bush
at NASA Headquarters. The VSE includes plans for a return to the Moon
by U.S. astronauts with the intent of establishing a permanent lunar base before follow-on efforts are made to move on to the planet Mars
and beyond.
The organizations involved in supporting the Space Exploration Alliance include:
Collectively these groups total almost one million Americans as members or as employees of member companies.
outside of low-earth orbit, which the SEA refers to as "Moon, Mars and Beyond". The SEA began their effort by working together on a "Moon
-Mars
Blitz" campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
that was held during the week of July 11 through July 13, 2004.
76 participants answered the call, with members from the National Space Society
(NSS) representing the largest contingent. From across the United States and from all walks of life, ranging in age from 12 to 70, the participants demonstrated the broad support the new Vision for Space Exploration
is finding across the country.
After a full day of training, the SEA participants broke into teams to visit with over 200 Congressional offices. Almost all of the visits found an appreciative audience, with staffers frequently expressing the need for reaffirming the purpose of human spaceflight after the release of the space shuttle
Columbia Accident Investigation Board
findings, as well as defining goals which will excite future generations of explorers.
Thousands of personally signed petitions from NSS members to their representatives and senators were presented during the congressional visits, which made a particularly strong impression with staff members. The connection between local grassroots
organization and a focused national effort was a critical link behind the "Moon-Mars Blitz" to secure first-year funding for the Vision for Space Exploration
initiative, which the SEA viewed as a necessary first step for in-depth planning of the exploration program to commence in earnest.
A second "Moon-Mars Blitz" was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005 in conjunction with the National Space Society
's annual International Space Development Conference
with similar results.
After the September 19, 2005 announcement of NASA's Exploration Systems Architecture Study
at a press conference hosted by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin
, SEA is preparing a strategy designed to refute false media
perceptions that a return to the Moon, Mars and Beyond is too expensive for the American
taxpayer to undertake in view of the recent devastation caused along the Gulf Coast states by Hurricane Katrina
and Hurricane Rita
.
The strategy has not been without some dissension within the ranks; in a press release issued on October 15, 2005, the Space Frontier Foundation
announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space."
Nevertheless, the SEA plans to demonstrate how modest, but steady growth in national expenditures on space exploration and development can move the nation toward these important goals, and the benefits those expenditures will provide.
As space activity becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of life here on earth, the SEA intends to show how this new focus on exploration will provide myriad advances in science
and technology
, untold economic opportunity and serve as an inspiration to our nation's youth. Given those benefits and the many more that lie in store, this new program of human space exploration beyond low earth orbit is a vital link to the future of the United States and the world.
, the magazine of the National Space Society
, July-August-September 2004, pg. S16
"Space Frontier Foundation Departs from the Space Exploration Alliance" Space Frontier Foundation press release, October 15, 2005
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' premier space advocacy
Space advocacy
Space advocacy can be described as the general position supporting, pleading or arguing for the idea or cause of space exploration and settlements...
groups, industry associations and space
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
policy
Policy
A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome. The term is not normally used to denote what is actually done, this is normally referred to as either procedure or protocol...
organizations teamed up to form an umbrella organization known as the Space Exploration Alliance. The primary purpose of the SEA is to support the White House's plan to refocus NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's human space activities toward exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
This effort, officially known as the Vision for Space Exploration
Vision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
was announced on January 15, 2004 by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
at NASA Headquarters. The VSE includes plans for a return to the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
by U.S. astronauts with the intent of establishing a permanent lunar base before follow-on efforts are made to move on to the planet Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
and beyond.
The organizations involved in supporting the Space Exploration Alliance include:
- Aerospace Industries Association
- Aerospace States Association
- American Astronautical SocietyAmerican Astronautical SocietyFormed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society is an independent scientific and technical group in the United States dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. AAS supports NASA's Vision for Space Exploration and is a member of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the...
- American Institute of Aeronautics and AstronauticsAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and AstronauticsThe American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the professional society for the field of aerospace engineering. The AIAA was founded in 1963 from the merger of two earlier societies: the American Rocket Society , founded in 1930 as the American Interplanetary Society , and the Institute...
- California Space AuthorityCalifornia Space AuthorityThe California Space Authority was a nonprofit corporation representing the commercial, civil, and national defense/homeland security interests of California's diverse space enterprise community in four domains: Industry, Government, Academia, and Workforce. CSA was also a participating member in...
- Federation of Galaxy ExplorersFederation of Galaxy ExplorersThe Federation of Galaxy Explorers is a US youth group seeking to "...inspire and educate kids in space related science and engineering. Galaxy Explorers was created to prepare children for the future; a future that advances a space faring civilization."...
- Florida Space Authority
- Global Space Travelers
- The Mars Society
- The Moon Society
- NASA Alumni League
- National Coalition of Spaceport States
- National Society of Black EngineersNational Society of Black EngineersNational Society of Black Engineers , founded in 1975 at Purdue University, is one of the largest student-run organizations in the US, centered on improving the recruitment and retention of African-American engineering students.-History:...
- National Space SocietyNational Space SocietyThe National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
- The Planetary Society
- ProSpaceProSpaceProSpace is a nonprofit citizens Space advocacy group that focuses on opening the space frontier for all individuals.Every year in March many of the group's members travel to Washington, D.C. for an event called "March Storm." Annually, these members speak to the congressional leaders and push...
- Space Access SocietySpace Access SocietyThe Space Access Society is an organization dedicated to increasing the viability and reducing the cost of commercial access to space travel...
- Space Generation Foundation
- Space Studies InstituteSpace Studies InstituteSpace Studies Institute is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1977 by the late Princeton University Professor Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill. The stated mission is to "open the energy and material resources of space for human benefit within our lifetime"...
- X PRIZE FoundationX Prize FoundationThe X PRIZE Foundation is a non-profit organization that designs and manages public competitions intended to encourage technological development that could benefit mankind....
Collectively these groups total almost one million Americans as members or as employees of member companies.
History
The first goal of the SEA was to work toward receiving broad Congressional support for the new national Vision for Space ExplorationVision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
outside of low-earth orbit, which the SEA refers to as "Moon, Mars and Beyond". The SEA began their effort by working together on a "Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
-Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
Blitz" campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
that was held during the week of July 11 through July 13, 2004.
76 participants answered the call, with members from the National Space Society
National Space Society
The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
(NSS) representing the largest contingent. From across the United States and from all walks of life, ranging in age from 12 to 70, the participants demonstrated the broad support the new Vision for Space Exploration
Vision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
is finding across the country.
After a full day of training, the SEA participants broke into teams to visit with over 200 Congressional offices. Almost all of the visits found an appreciative audience, with staffers frequently expressing the need for reaffirming the purpose of human spaceflight after the release of the space shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Columbia Accident Investigation Board
Columbia Accident Investigation Board
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board was convened by NASA to investigate the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-107 upon atmospheric re-entry on February 1, 2003. In addition to determining the cause of the accident, the panel also recommended changes that should be made...
findings, as well as defining goals which will excite future generations of explorers.
Thousands of personally signed petitions from NSS members to their representatives and senators were presented during the congressional visits, which made a particularly strong impression with staff members. The connection between local grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
organization and a focused national effort was a critical link behind the "Moon-Mars Blitz" to secure first-year funding for the Vision for Space Exploration
Vision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
initiative, which the SEA viewed as a necessary first step for in-depth planning of the exploration program to commence in earnest.
A second "Moon-Mars Blitz" was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005 in conjunction with the National Space Society
National Space Society
The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
's annual International Space Development Conference
International Space Development Conference
The International Space Development Conference is the annual conference of the National Space Society . Now in its 30th year, these conferences connect the general public and the NSS membership with leaders of contemporary space efforts...
with similar results.
After the September 19, 2005 announcement of NASA's Exploration Systems Architecture Study
Exploration Systems Architecture Study
The Exploration Systems Architecture Study is the official title of a large-scale, system level study released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in November 2005 in response to American president George W...
at a press conference hosted by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin
Michael D. Griffin
Michael Douglas Griffin is an American physicist and aerospace engineer. From April 13, 2005 to January 20, 2009 he served as Administrator of NASA, the space agency of the United States...
, SEA is preparing a strategy designed to refute false media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
perceptions that a return to the Moon, Mars and Beyond is too expensive for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
taxpayer to undertake in view of the recent devastation caused along the Gulf Coast states by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
and Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico. Rita caused $11.3 billion in damage on the U.S. Gulf Coast in September 2005...
.
The strategy has not been without some dissension within the ranks; in a press release issued on October 15, 2005, the Space Frontier Foundation
Space Frontier Foundation
The Space Frontier Foundation is a space advocacy nonprofit corporation organized to promote the interests of increased involvement of the private sector, in collaboration with government, in the exploration and development of space...
announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space."
Nevertheless, the SEA plans to demonstrate how modest, but steady growth in national expenditures on space exploration and development can move the nation toward these important goals, and the benefits those expenditures will provide.
As space activity becomes increasingly integrated into every aspect of life here on earth, the SEA intends to show how this new focus on exploration will provide myriad advances in science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, untold economic opportunity and serve as an inspiration to our nation's youth. Given those benefits and the many more that lie in store, this new program of human space exploration beyond low earth orbit is a vital link to the future of the United States and the world.
Sources
We are SEA - The Power of One, finding common ground in space -- A special report (insert) from Ad AstraAd Astra (magazine)
Ad Astra literally means "To the Stars." This award-winning quarterly magazine is published by the National Space Society , a nonprofit, 501 aerospace advocacy and educational institution headquartered in Washington, D.C.....
, the magazine of the National Space Society
National Space Society
The National Space Society is an international nonprofit 501, educational, and scientific organization specializing in space advocacy...
, July-August-September 2004, pg. S16
"Space Frontier Foundation Departs from the Space Exploration Alliance" Space Frontier Foundation press release, October 15, 2005