Page 49 of 55 - Previous page

p. In Beyond Buck and Wernher John Carter McKnight suggests that space organizations should move away from their “Buck Rogers dreams and Wernher von Braun tactics for a spacefaring 21st Century” and on to new methods of leadership and management. His suggestion is to use the power of the web of members and their resources to implement concrete projects (not letter writing campaigns or street corner leafletting) in cooperation with universities, local industry, local governmental resources, etc to build out local community of not activism but actual building of space hardware, systems and resources.

p. From my point of view it appears that what he is attempting to articulate is to apply Open Source community and resource management techniques to the space industry. His ideal 'SpaceFaring Web' is essentially identical to the open source communities surrounding projects such as Linux, Apache and myriad other projects that supply almost all of the software that the Internet runs on. The best treatise on Open Source and its rather non-intuitive economics is found in Eric Raymond's The Cathedral and the Bazaar. What McKnight is suggesting is that space groups move the entire concept of space out of the cathedral and firmly into the bazaar.

p. While this is an excellent idea (and the original concept behind Rocketforge as an aerospace equivalent to SourceForge and Freshmeat), there are problems to overcome. Open Source works when raw materials are cheap or free. The bazaar is very close to a gift economy. The problem to solve is how to drive down the costs of some of the raw materials that the nascent space bazaar would need. Obviously you can't provide free 6061-T6 aluminum but providing a user friendly and accessible means of finding cheap materials (i.e. things like Online Metals but with better prices). For many the issue isn't materials or time, its lack of real plans. Making components for rocket engines is well within the realm of many vocational school machine shops, what isn't are the plans for building one.

p. The other data point that I have personal experience with is the attempt to do some of this within the Moon Society itself. Within the society we have several teams with specific projects. The In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) team is one example that is very close to what McKnight is talking about. That team is currently moribund due to a) organizer/leader burnout and b) lack of any existing plans to start from. While a few have resource they can apply, a majority simply participate by talking things to death. In order for McKnight's grand Spacefaring Web to emerge there is going to have to be some in depth analysis why it isn't working now, what resources it needs and what parts of the 'bazaar' model apply and which ones don't.

p. One area that would be worth investigating is the various non-traditional aerospace groups such as the Am/Ex rocketry groups (IEAS, ERPS, Armadillo, etc). In many cases these groups are following many Open Source techniques. Most use publicly available plans, enable physically distributed teams using group communications tools, teams with very loose boundaries between projects, etc. In most cases there is a maximum leader (in the bazaar sense, not in the sense that McKnight uses the term). Perhaps something can be bootstrapped by pairing space organizations with local rocketry groups. The combination would probably be a lot more effective. There's nothing like the swoosh of a large rocket to get an space nut's motivation pumping.

p. This is not going to be an easy task. Its a rare thing when Open Source techniques can be applied to something that isn't already a gift economy. But it is worth trying. The Open Source software community is currently building one of the best operating systems around, and is challenging the 'Boeing' of that industry in a way that could shake the entire software industry to its foundations. Its time to shake the aerospace industry the same way.

---

Comments

Wired has a pretty thorough review of upcoming lunar missions, both private and public. The two private companies in volved are LunaCorp and TransOrbital - more on their missions and the others is in the article, and in the missions list from the Moon Society.

---

Comments

Jeff Taylor of Loki Research posted an update on the JAMSTAR launch next weekend. Apparently the normal FAA waffling has lead to a night launch. The first 100,000 foot waiver is from 2am - 3am Sunday, April 20th. The video will be awesome!

---

Comments

Phase II Award for the Design, Manufacture and Ground Test of a Prototype Propulsion Module

SpaceDev has been awarded a contract to develop a NASA Space Shuttle-compatible propulsion module or the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). Phase II is a continuation of Phase I of the program SpaceDev secured last year to develop orbit transfer technologies that meet NASA and Air Force Space Test Program (STP) requirements. The Phase II award is worth $1.43 million and there is an option for additional work that is worth $1.01 million. If the option is exercised the total contract value will be $2.44 million.

Phase II will result in the design, manufacture and test of an innovative low-cost prototype propulsion module that meets NASA Shuttle Hitchhiker Experiment Launch System (SHELS) safety requirements and the STP orbit transfer propulsion performance requirements for secondary payloads. Until now, no payloads from SHELS (or other Hitchhiker ejection systems) have ever been offered the opportunity to be boosted to other orbits due to propulsion technology limitations combined with stringent Space Transportation System (STS) safety requirements.

In addition to the design and assembly of the propulsion module, SpaceDev will continue to work in conjunction with an integrated team through AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate to develop the propulsion module for the Shuttle Expendable Rocket for Payload Augmentation (SHERPA) transfer vehicle.

The propulsion module that SpaceDev manufactures will use a hybrid rocket motor consisting of Plexiglas® as the fuel and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) as the oxidizer. The combination of which is very safe and inexpensive. The hybrid rocket motor provides restart capabilities and allows for easy transportation, handling and storage, as well as simplifying integration and launch.

Both NASA and the Air Force have important and recurring needs to get payloads deployed from SHELS to higher altitudes than typical STS orbits. At the completion of Phase II, SpaceDev intends to serve this need by providing a low-cost, reliable, and lightweight product that allows for both the maximization of payload capacity on the Shuttle and the optimization of their orbit once deployed.

For more information on how SpaceDev products and capabilities can provide affordable responsive

space access, particularly in the areas of space control, situational awareness, and earth or space

surveillance and sensing, please visit our website at www.spacedev.com. Or, please stop by our

booth at the 2003 National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado from April 7 through April 10 - Booth #61.

---

Comments

NSS executive director Brian Chase appeared before the House Space and Aeronautics subcommittee of the Science Committee to provide testimony on NSS's perspective on NASA's human space flight programs and how those initiatives relate to efforts to develop new space transportation systems. The question is what to do to prevent our current human spaceflight incapacity from recurring. NASA has a new “Integrated Space Transportation Plan” in the FY 2004 budget proposal, which envisions development of a reusable Orbital Space Plane (OSP) to provide crew transport to ISS, reliable crew return from ISS, but launched via the EELV expendable vehicles (Delta IV or Atlas). It also involves extending the life of the current shuttles and developing a fully reusable shuttle replacement, the Next Generation Launch Technology program. p. Chase endorses the OSP, while recommending the timetable be greatly accelerated so we don't have to wait until 2012 to see it in action; that means using current established technology, not making it yet another technology development program that leads nowhere… He also strongly recommends an expendable cargo vehicle be developed (or use the EELV's as they are) to provide access to ISS for heavy payloads without having to rely on the Shuttle. p. And his point then is, that if these two things are accomplished, we will have new capabilities to use them for other things we want to be doing in space as well, beyond ISS and shuttle programs. bq. Beyond those elements, we should carefully consider our next steps. Focusing exclusively on reusable launch vehicles may be the right choice if we seek routine access for crew and low-to-medium weight cargo. But if we opt to launch heavy cargo (such as components for a mission to Mars), then expendable launch vehicles may better fill that role. So the nation needs to develop a long-term space exploration architecture to provide a clear direction for the future to help direct these efforts. NASA has begun an initiative to accomplish this important task, but it needs public and political support to remain a key part of the NASA agenda. Without that underlying vision for tomorrow, it makes it more difficult to make the right decisions today.

---

Comments

Senator Enzi spoke about 4:18 pm EST today, for about 15 minutes.

The Senator opened his remarks with a personal account of how rocketry inspired him as a youth. He went on to state how since 9/11 we have been working to preserve our way of life, but that an unintended result of the HSA was that the educational and inspiring pastime of rocketry could very well be denied to our children.

Senator Enzi also described how shippers are affected, being unable or unwilling to have background checks performed on all their employees. He said that historically rocketeers could purchase in state, but now a permit was required for even that, and that the “limited permit” was not practical as most rocketeers bought motors inter-state, and crossed state lines to launch.

He asked the permission of the Senate to “display a three-dimensional object”, and once granted, pulled a single 62.5g propellant grain from his pocket. He said the ATF made am exemption for that size, but ¼ longer and it would be illegal. He said that some of his colleagues in the Senate felt his bill was “going too far”, and they were concerned with the safety issue; but Sen. Enzi pointed out the the ATF was not concerned about the flamable propeties of APCP, as it would be legal to purchase any number of 62.5 g propellant grains. He said it was like sayig that you could “buy as many sticks of dynamite as you wanted, you just couldn't buy a whole box”.

All in all it was a very eloquent speech, presented very patiently, but covering the major fallacies of the ATF's position, and underlining the benefit of rocketry to schools, families and as an inspiration towards the space program. He specifically said that rocketry was a family activity enjoyed by “fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and every combination”.

I'm sure that the complete text of his speech will be made available from the US GPO in a few days. Once it is available, I will post a link to it.

• iz

---

Comments

Starchaser is unveiling their new capsule on Thursday. And XCOR successfully tested their new 1800 lb LOX-Kerosene engine.

---

Comments

p. Washington, D.C. – Hobby rocketeers who want to send their crafts to the skies will not have to first navigate through clouds of red tape and federal government permits if U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., succeeds in passing a bill he introduced today.

p. EnziÂ’s bill, S. 724 [ed: PDF! ], would exempt users of certain model rocket propellants from explosive permit requirements, much like antique firearm users are exempted from permit requirements for black powder use.

|_For Immediate Release_

Date: March 27, 2003

|

Contact: Coy Knobel, phone 202-224-3424

|

|Web address: enzi.senate.gov
|<p align="right">Email: Coy_Knobel@enzi.senate.gov

|

|


**<div align="center">Enzi launches model rocket protection bill</div>**

---

Washington, D.C. – Hobby rocketeers who want to send their crafts to the skies will not have to first navigate through clouds of red tape and federal government permits if  U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., succeeds in passing a bill he introduced today.



EnziÂ’s bill, S. 724, would exempt users of certain model rocket propellants from explosive permit requirements, much like antique firearm users are exempted from permit requirements for black powder use.



“Model rocket enthusiasts across the country and even across the ocean are very worried about how enforcement of regulations and the passage of new restrictions in the Homeland Security Act could negatively affect them.  It was not Congress’ intent to harm model rocketry with passage of the Homeland Security Act.  My bill would simply assure that people can go on enjoying their hobby without having to jump through a lot of needless regulatory hoops,” said Enzi.



Hobbyists are most concerned with added requirements regarding the use of Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant (APCP), which is classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) as an explosive.  Before 1997 the BATF exempted APCP used for consumer rocket motors from the permits required for other substances on the explosives list.  Since that time only rocket motors with less than 62.5 grams of APCP have been exempt.  Handlers of rocket motors that contained more than 62.5 grams of APCP were required to get permits to purchase and transport the motors between states.  Now, with the passage of the Homeland Security Act the permits are scheduled to be applied to those who purchase and transport the motors within a state.



“Some shipping companies are refusing to transport rocket motors because of added requirements.  This hurts the shipping company itself, small business owners who operate hobby shops and the kids and adults who build and launch model rockets,” said Enzi.  “People who build and launch model rockets for fun aren’t the bad guys.  They shouldn’t have to go through a rigorous set of obstacles in order to enjoy their hobby.  We should be encouraging youth to take up this mind-expanding activity, not squelching initiative.”




Enzi said the current 62.5 gram APCP exemption is still too restrictive.



“We shouldn’t get caught up in an arbitrary number.  Many legitimate hobbyists use rocket motors that contain more propellant than would be exempted under BATF rules.  Many small businesses sell motors of varying sizes including those over the current BATF limit.  Some trucking companies are afraid to ship rocket motors that contain any APCP propellant,” said Enzi.  “My bill would provide a clear exemption for a worthy hobby that brings joy to a lot of people.”



Enzi took great care to write the bill so the exemption would only apply to legitimate hobby use of rocket propellant.  The exemption would only apply to non-detonable rocket propellant.  There are some high-energy APCP composites that have additional chemicals in their composition that make them detonate, instead of burn at a moderate rate.  The high-energy APCP is not used in amateur rocketry and would not be exempted under EnziÂ’s bill.



A group of at least seven other senators has already signed on as cosponsors of EnziÂ’s bill.  Enzi plans to speak on the Senate floor in the coming days to encourage even more support from his colleagues.



The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

Click here to review the text of the bill.

|

|

|

---

---

Comments

Clark Lindsey of Hobby Space has an interesting new article in The Space Review that discusses how to bring some coherency to the 'space' market place by moving from a mass markets/consumer approach to more of a 'community of interest' model. His first point is that small communities of highly motivated individuals (NRA, Sierra Club, etc) can affect policy. But I think the most important point is that it creates a market segment that is more motivated to buy than a mass markets approach. I.e. its really hard to find a space related product for $1 that 100 million people will buy, but it is possible to find a $100 space related product that a million enthusiasts will buy.

Interesting article that does have precident in business thought….

---

Comments

The Moon Society has endorsed that Space Summit from last week.

---

Comments

Next page