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Internet Debate Research. Rich Edwards, Baylor University. 2011. Top “Space Exploration and Development” Web Sites for Policy Debaters. Aerospace Industries Association (AIA): Fhttp://www.aia-aerospace.org/.
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Top “Space Exploration and Development” Web Sites for Policy Debaters
Aerospace Industries Association (AIA): Fhttp://www.aia-aerospace.org/.
This is an advocacy group made up of more than 300 major aerospace and defense companies “embodying every high-technology manufacturing segment of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry from commercial aviation and avionics, to manned and unmanned defense systems, to space technologies and satellite communications.” This Web site provides free access to dozens of recent reports advocating increased federal spending for space exploration and research. Many of the AIA documents emphasize the importance of space programs to the strength of the U.S. economy.
The AFSPC, charged with projecting U.S. global reach and power through space and cyber operations, is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. This Web site provides “Fact Sheets” on numerous functions, including the U.S. Defense Satellite Communications System, Global Positioning System, Milstar Satellite Communications System, Early Warning Radar and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. This Web site also provides free downloadable access to the High Frontier Journal.
American Astronautical Society (AAS): http://astronautical.org/.
The AAS describes itself as “the premier independent scientific and technical group in the United States exclusively dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. We strongly support the U.S. Space Exploration Policy, and are members of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the Space Exploration Alliance. We are also committed to strengthening the global space program through cooperation with international space organizations.” This society publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Space Times, and an academic journal, The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences. Both publications are available only to AAS members. Most useful from this site is the “space links” item under the “About AAS” tab.
Asteroid and Comet Impact Hazards: http://impact.arc.nasa.gov/
This Web site, maintained by NASA’s Ames Research Center, provides an excellent source of information on comet and asteroid impact hazards. By clicking on the “News Archive” link at the left, the debater can gain access to dozens of articles on planetary defense. The “Related Links” tab will also provide a list of excellent resources. While the Ames Research Center takes the asteroid threat seriously, it also concludes that there is no imminent threat: “Today we are addressing this impact hazard by carrying out a comprehensive telescopic search for potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). This program is called the Spaceguard Survey, and it has already resulted in the discovery of more than half the NEAs larger than 1 km diameter. The objective is to find 90% of the NEAs this large by the end of 2008. Today no known asteroid is on a collision course with the Earth, and the Spaceguard Survey does not expect to find any large asteroid that directly threatens us.”
Committee on Space Research (COSPAR): http://cosparhq.cnes.fr/.
COSPAR is a committee of the International Council for Science with the declared mission “to promote the use of space science for the benefit of mankind and for its adoption by developing countries and new space-faring nations, in particular through a series of capacity building workshops which teach very practical skills enabling researchers to participate in international space research programs.” From this Web site you can gain free access to numerous reports. The “Space Links” heading also provides access to more than fifty other organizations publishing materials on space exploration and development.
International Academy of Astronautics: http://iaaweb.org/content/view/277/416/.
This organization brings together many of the leading international scholars in astronautics, as they say, “to explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology and to provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar system. The purposes of the IAA, as stated in the Academy's statutes are: to foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics and to provide a program through which the membership can contribute to international endeavors and cooperation in the advancement of aerospace science, in cooperation with national science or engineering academies.” While many of the resources at this Web site are available only to members, there is a wealth of information available to the debater by clicking the folder at the left side of the page titled, “Published Studies & Position Papers.” Dozens of recent studies are available for free download, including Future Planetary Robotic Exploration (2010, 44 pages), Space-Applications in Climate Change and Space Systems (2010, 66 pages), Space-Based Disaster Management (2010, 79 pages), Future Human Spaceflight (2010, 62 pages) and Dealing with the Threat to Earth from Asteroids and Comets (2009, 140 pages).
International Astronautical Foundation (IAF): www.iafastro.org.
This organization declares it mission as follows: “The summary mission of the International Astronautical Federation is to promote: public awareness and appreciation of space activities worldwide; the exchange of information on space programme developments and plans; the development of highly-motivated and internationally-knowledgeable workforces; the recognition of achievements in space activities and space programme cooperation and the use by developing countries of space systems for human development.” Most of the publications available at this Web site are for members of the organization, but by clicking the “Publications” tab at the top, then the “Other Publications” option, the debater can gain access to useful information on the space topic.
The purpose of the Mars Society is “to explore and settle the planet Mars. We will accomplish this through: Public outreach fostering Mars pioneers, worldwide support for government-funded Mars research and exploration and private-enterprise Mars exploration and settlement. Starting small, with hitchhiker payloads on government-funded missions, we intend to use the credibility such activity engenders to mobilize larger resources, further enabling private robotic missions and ultimately human exploration and settlement of Mars.” By selecting the tab labeled, “Press Center” and then “Mars in the News,” the debater can gain access to many recent articles supporting human spaceflight to Mars.
Military Space and Missile Forum: http://www.military-space-missile-forum.com/
This Web site offers free access to issues of this monthly magazine, billing itself as “the only magazine devoted exclusively to military space.” Recent articles have dealt with ballistic missile defense, increasing space situational awareness and development of the airborne laser.
The Moon Society says that its goal is “The creation of a space-faring civilization which will establish communities on the Moon” and “promotion of large-scale industrialization and private enterprise on the Moon.” The Moon Society’s monthly publication is Moon Miner’s Manifesto, but downloadable copies are available only after becoming a member of the Society ($20 per year for students). Members also have access to Selenology, a quarterly publication of the American Lunar Society.
NASA Near Earth Object (NEO) Program: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/neo/.
NASA describes the purpose of this program as follows: “The purpose of the Near-Earth Object Program is to coordinate NASA-sponsored efforts to detect, track and characterize potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that could approach the Earth. The NEO Program will focus on the goal of locating at least 90 percent of the estimated 1,000 asteroids and comets that approach the Earth and are larger than 1 kilometer (about 2/3-mile) in diameter, by the end of the next decade. In addition to managing the detection and cataloging of Near-Earth objects, the NEO Program office will be responsible for facilitating communications between the astronomical community and the public should any potentially hazardous objects be discovered.” By clicking on the “Related Links” tab, the debater can access numerous reports on the risk of asteroid collision.
This is not an official NASA Web site, but is rather designed to offer independent reviews of NASA projects and budget proposals. Recent articles have critiqued the 2012 NASA budget, commented on delays in the resupply of the International Space Station and objected to NASA plans to depend upon commercial launch vehicles for future projects. This Web site offers an excellent opportunity to keep up-to-date on Congressional actions dealing with the U.S. space program.
The main NASA Web site provides access to hundreds of reports on the status of U.S. space programs. NASA is organized around four principal organizations, called mission directorates, each with its own section of the Web site: “(1). Aeronautics: pioneers and proves new flight technologies that improve our ability to explore and which have practical applications on Earth. (2). Exploration Systems: creates capabilities for sustainable human and robotic exploration. (3). Science: explores the Earth, solar system and universe beyond; charts the best route of discovery; and reaps the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society. (4) Space Operations: provides critical enabling technologies for much of the rest of NASA through the space shuttle, the International Space Station and flight support.”
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): nasa.gov.
NASA introduces itself in the following way: “NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research. To do that, thousands of people have been working around the world – and off of it – for 50 years, trying to answer some basic questions. What's out there in space? How do we get there? What will we find? What can we learn there, or learn just by trying to get there, that will make life better here on Earth?” By selecting the “For Policymakers” link, the debater can gain access to budget projections, news releases and mission descriptions.
The NSS describes itself as follows: “The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, educational, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded as the National Space Institute (1974) and L5 Society (1975), which merged to form NSS in 1987, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space. NSS has over 12 thousand members (and more supporters) and over 50 chapters in the United States and around the world. The society also publishes Ad Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most important developments in space.” A wealth of downloadable resources are available by clicking the “About Space” link, then “Space Library.” The Space Library contains hundreds of documents on space solar power, research on the International Space Station, planetary defense from asteroids, space colonization, the space elevator and numerous other topics.
Office of Space Commercialization: http://www.space.commerce.gov/about/.
This government agency is a subdivision of the U.S. Department of Commerce designed to promote the commercial space industry: “The Department of Commerce is responsible for promoting U.S. business, including U.S. space business. Each year, the private sector invests billions of dollars into the commercial use of space for communications, navigation, earth observation, space transportation and other services. The Commerce Department's Office of Space Commercialization provides a voice for the U.S. commercial space industry within government policy discussions affecting space. The Commerce Department is also the parent organization of one of the nation's space agencies – NOAA – which operates meteorological satellites used for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring.” By clicking the link entitled “Speeches, Reports, Workshops,” the debater can download numerous documents on the topic of space commercialization.
This group describes its mission in the following way: “The Planetary Society creates ways for the public to have active roles in space exploration. We develop innovative technologies, like the first solar sail spacecraft, we fund astronomers hunting for hazardous asteroids and planets orbiting other stars, we support radio and optical searches for extraterrestrial life and we influence decision makers, ensuring the future of space exploration.” The Planetary Report is the monthly publication of the Planetary Society, but the Web site makes this publication available only to members.
This Web site is maintained by one of the many commercial firms interested in developing space-based solar power: “PowerSat Corporation is a pioneer in generating safe, clean, reliable energy from space. Solar energy is captured via satellites (known as powersats) and transmitted wirelessly to receiving stations at various points around the globe. Thousands of megawatts can be harnessed and shifted between receiving stations thousands of miles from each other – all in a matter of seconds.” Some downloadable reports are available by clicking the “White Papers” link.
The Institute employs more than 150 scientists with the mission to “explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe.” SETI scientists search for “evidence of other technological civilizations” using signal-processing technology to “search for signals from advanced technological civilizations in our galaxy.” While few downloadable publications are available from this Web site, it is useful for the background it provides concerning the search for intelligent life in the universe.
This Web site, owned by SpaceRef Interactive, Inc., promotes the space elevator as the future solution to space launch costs. They articulate the vision as follows: “Climbers ascend a ribbon, 100,000 km long, strung between an anchor on Earth and a counterweight in space. Connecting Earth and space in a way never before possible, the space elevator will enable us to inexpensively and completely expand our society into space. Beyond Earth, space elevators on the moon and Mars open new economic opportunities and expand humanity's reach ever so slightly into the solar system.”
Space Exploration Alliance: www.spaceexplorationalliance.org/.
This is an umbrella organization offering links to dozens of groups promoting space exploration projects: “The Space Exploration Alliance is an unprecedented partnership of the nation’s premier non-profit space organizations with a combined membership of more than 700,000 people throughout the United States.” Member groups include the Moon Society, the Mars Society, the Planetary Society, the National Space Society and the American Astronautical Society.
This Web site is devoted to the nortion that human settlement of space should be pursued as rapidly as is possible. The SFF believes that “massive industrialization and settlement of the inner solar system” is “possible within one or two generations.” Many of the projects promoted by the SFF are modeled on the vision for space outlined in Gerard O’Neill’s book, The High Frontier. The most useful downloadable materials can be found under the “Projects” link by selecting the “Space Solar Power” option. Numerous reports support the construction of a system of space-based solar power.
The Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University is home to the Space Policy Institute. They explain their mission in the following way: “The Space Policy Institute focuses its activities on policy issues related to the space efforts of the United States and cooperative and competitive interactions in space between the United States and other countries. The Institute provides a setting in which scholars, policy analysts, practitioners and students can work together to examine and evaluate options for the future in space.” Numerous downloading resources are available by clicking the “Reports” link under “Research and Publications.”
