Saturday, December 15th, NSS of Phoenix Meeting will Feature Beverly Swayman Executive Director at the Challenger Space Center of AZ

The December 15th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will be at our usual time (11 am) and located at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201). Our guest will be Beverly Swayman Executive Director at the Challenger Space Center of AZ, check out the link to their website:  http://www.azchallenger.org/  I get asked many times about my knowledge of the Challenger Center.  That being said, lets meet her and possibly members of her team. And hear her story on that give her a reason to work on behalf of re-establishing the Center to inspire, excite and educate people of all ages about the mysteries and wonders of the our universe and the world in which we live.

This is a great opportunity to catch up with what the future of the Space Center looks like, there objective and vision for the coming future.  This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and invite other members, friends and colleges who may have a general interest in their future. So please forward this email to those you think have a special interest as well.

• NSS Phoenix Chapter Elections – You may have already received this notice from Mike Mackowski

Re-post: It’s been two years since the current slate of officers took over running the Phoenix Chapter of the National Space Society and so we are due for another election. We need to select four officers for the two-year term. Our by-laws state that we need to have a slate by December 15 with the voting at the January meeting.

Most of our current officers have expressed an interest in continuing (thank you!) but we have an opening in the vice president position (Al is taking a break) and all positions are open for nominations (and feel free to nominate yourself). Our current officers are:

• President                   Phyllis Redhair
• Vice President          Al Wendler
• Athena Roberts        Treasurer
• Greg Rucker             Secretary

If you are interested in nominating someone for any position, please contact Mike Mackowski by replying to his email sent previously or come to our meeting this December. Note that officers must be members of the National Space Society at the time they take office (January).  Mike Mackowski  –  Nominating Committee Chair –   * The Nominating Committee includes Chuck Lesher and Al Wendler thank you both as well for your service.

• Finally the Moment you all have been waiting for and by popular request and a BIG thanks to Chuck Lesher for hosting this year’s NSS Christmas Party! Immediately following the general speaker meeting Dec 15^th, The party will be at his home in Chandler near Warner and Arizona Ave. We will do a get together, and also talk about the NSS Election, as well as plans for 2019 Yuri Night and Space Up. This will be from about 1:30 to whenever, but before 8pm. This is a potluck style event please bring a favorite dish to share. Contact Chuck if you plan to attend. chuckmiester9@gmail.com for questions and address details. Or show up at our general meeting to get details and follow us over.

See you Saturday for a Meeting and Party!

Phyllis Redhair – Chapter President

NSS Outing Saturday Dec 1st : ASU’s Apollo 8 Mission 50th Anniversary Celebration, at 2 PM

Our next event will be a NSS Phoenix Outing; we will be attending ASU’s Apollo 8 Mission 50th Anniversary Celebration, at 2 PM on Saturday.  Light refreshments will be provided during the reception. This is a free event; however, please RSVP for planning purposes.

Also, to communicate in case we split up or get lost go to : https://www.facebook.com/groups/Moonsociety/?ref=bookmarks I’ll be putting up a post for a group chat to ask questions or find out where we are if you’re late or loose contact.

This is a free event. The hosts are The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera team and the School of Earth and Space Exploration.  Held The Marston Exploration Theater is located on the first floor of ASU’s Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building IV (ISTB 4) 781 S Terrace Rd, Tempe, AZ 85287.

I will be wearing my NSS badge and standing outside the theater inside ISTB4 just before the show, then we can go in just about 2 to enjoy the show.  There is an invite link with reservation for this event at: https://asuevents.asu.edu/content/apollo-8-mission-50th-anniversary-celebration

Schedule of Events:  Saturday

2 p.m. — Reception with film director, Paul Hildebrandt and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Principal Investigator Dr. Mark Robinson

2:30 p.m. — Welcome remarks from Dr. Robinson and Paul Hildebrandt

2:35 p.m. — Screening of “First to the Moon”

4:35 p.m. — Audience Q&A with Dr. Robinson and Paul Hildebrandt

There is a free bus service called ORBIT http://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/public-works/transportation/bus/orbit that is available we would be on Jupiter ORBIT it runs every 15 minutes. Just an FYI in case you may be interested.

See you at ISTB4!

Saturday Nov 17th meeting of NSS Phoenix will Featuring Mike Mackowski Presenting On Launching and Flying the ICESat-2 Spacecraft

The November 17th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will be at our usual time (11 am) and location at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201). The February meeting will Feature will featuring Mike Mackowski Designing and building spacecraft is one thing, but then you have to launch and operate them. Phoenix NSS member Mike Mackowski is an electrical engineer who recently helped prepare the ICESat-2 satellite for launch and later supported the on-orbit checkout phase of the mission. He will explain the ICESat-2 mission and describe what it’s like to sit in the mission operations center where a crew monitors and commands the satellite.

ICESat-2

The Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2, or ICESat-2, will measure the height of a changing Earth, one laser pulse at a time, 10,000 laser pulses a second. Launched on Sept. 15, 2018, ICESat-2 carries a photon-counting laser altimeter that will allow scientists to measure the elevation of ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice and more – all in unprecedented detail. Our planet’s frozen and icy areas, called the cryosphere, are a key focus of NASA’s Earth science research. ICESat-2 will help scientists investigate why, and how much, our cryosphere is changing in a warming climate. The satellite will also measure heights across Earth’s temperate and tropical regions, and take stock of the vegetation in forests worldwide.

Guest Speaker

Michael Mackowski recently retired as an electrical engineer who spent most of his career designing spacecraft electrical power systems. He was most recently employed at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK) in Gilbert, Arizona. He has worked on such programs as the Landsat 8 anf 9 satellites, the Fermi and Swift gamma ray observatories, the Iridium communications satellite constellation, TOMS-EP, TIMED, Landsat 5, GRO, TOPEX, the National Aerospace Plane, and the Space Shuttle. Outside the workplace, Mr. Mackowski has been an advocate for space exploration for over forty years.

Movie Night

Don’t forget, Mike is inviting all his spacey friends to a movie night at his home in Gilbert next Saturday evening, November 10. We’ll watch the 2017 movie “Salyut 7”, a pseudo-documentary about the resuscitation of the Soviet space station. It’s a two-hour movie, so we’ll kick it off around 7:30 pm. Mikes lives near US60 and Stapley, and please contact him if you plan to attend. Should be a fun evening.

NSS of Phoenix Featuring Alfred Anzaldua, presenting a talk on What’s New in Orbital Space Debris.

The October 20th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will be at our usual time (11 am) and location at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201).

NSS of Phoenix will Featuring Alfred Anzaldua, Board Member of the National Space Society, National Space Society International Relations Coordinator & Vice Chair of the International Committee & Former Diplomat at U.S. Department of State. Multiple appearances on TV, radio, and in person as space advocate during late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Currently is active giving talks & exhibitions that advocate for settling the Moon, Mars, and in orbiting/rotating habitats. Over past seven years has published articles in the Miner’s Manifesto, To the Stars International Quarterly, The Space Review, and other outlets on space advocacy cooperation, space-based solar power, orbital debris remediation, and strategies for sustainable cislunar/lunar/Mars PhD settlement. He will be presenting a talk on Whats new in Orbital Space Debris

Business  Meeting:

After the Meeting we will be doing a Business meeting to discuss Spring 2019, location will be determined after the meeting. Please bring ideas on where you want to eat if you plan on attending and well have a quick decision after or we will be going to our usual family restaurant.

Current Activities: <SPACE UNITES THE WORLD>  Our Phoenix National Space Society will be participating in this global virtual celebration event with India Hosted by Kalpana Youth Foundation and Chapters around the world. I will be doing a short introduction of PHX NSS as well as a progress report on our Chapters support of Puerto Rico Chapter, and participating in discussions and votes on a possible resolution or resolutions under the general theme for “Space Unites the World”.  Here are some of the details that we received.   Info provided by:   Joseph Bland  Chair, NSS Chapters’ Assembly President, Sacramento L5 Society

First: Nashik, India chapter President, Avinash Shirode, has created a link for live YouTube streaming of the NSS-Nashik chapter WSW program.

When everyone is sleeping in India, it shows the The “Felicitation Ceremony: that Nashik chapter president Avinash Shirode performed at the 2018 ISDC.

You can also watch the past events at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7YHMXbCuO3okvv7XfL_YBA

Second, Avinash generated a program schedule for his chapter’s World Space Week event, which should be viewable via their live YouTube stream (correction – Has no affiliation with NASA).

Third, three NSS members are scheduled to do individual “virtual” presentations for the Nashik, India audience. A fourth presenter, Anne Watkins with Spaceport America, had to bow out due to personal circumstances. In order of presentation, they are:

Joe Bland, scheduled for October 6th from 6:30-7:30 PM India time.

David Sheely, scheduled for October 8th from 7:30-8:30 PM India time.

Bruce Mackenzie, scheduled for October 9th from 7:30-8:30 PM India time.

Finally, here is a list of the Chapters or Outposts that are also participating:

Joseph Bland for Sacramento L5 Society

Avinash Shirode for Nashik, India

Dave Stuart for NSS Seattle, Washington

Ronnie Lajoie for Huntsville L5 Society

Bennett Rutledge for Denver Space Society

Larry Ahearn for Illinois North Shore

Christine Nobbe for St. Louis Space Frontier

David Sheely for Oklahoma Space Alliance

Phyllis Redhair for NSS Phoenix, Arizona

Eric Bowen for NSS Clear Lake, Texas

Kleopatra Alamantariotou, for Greek Chapter

Claire McMurray, International Chapter Coordinator

Perri Doutre, NSS Ambassador

Fred Becker, NSS Coordinator

James Spellman, NSS Coordinator

Sadique Temitayo, Nigeria, Outpost

Saksham Arora, New Deli, India Outpost

Thanks for supporting NSS and your Chapters’ Assembly with your attendance! To this event. Also, Thank you for showing support and by attending meetings and participating in events for Phoenix Chapter it is greatly appreciated.

Ad Astra

September 15th meeting NSS PHX Featuring Dr Tanya Harrison, Presenting -Cloudy With a Chance of Dust Storms

The September 15th meeting NSS of Phoenix Featuring Tanya Harrison, director of research at Arizona State University’s Space Technology and Science (NewSpace) Initiative will be Presenting -Cloudy With a Chance of Dust Storms (all about weather on Mars)

The September 15th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will be at our usual time (11 am) and location at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201).

Our last outing at the ASU Congressional Conference: Space Innovation had about 13 members attend. This was a great opportunity to listen to members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation on several space topics and there opinions. We also had a wonderful opportunity to hear from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. A few of our members had an opportunity to ask questions that allowed panelist to answer candidly different aspects for space advancement and road blocks. This conference provided an opportunity for space industry professionals to bridge the gap with congress professionals by providing ideas, concerns and information.

A nice summary can be found here at https://asunow.asu.edu/20180820-solutions-asu-hosts-congress-members-industry-leaders-conference-space-innovation

Saturday August 18th NSS PHX Update

Our next meting event this weekend, we will be hearing from our very own Chuck Lesher, writer and former engineer. About Governments role in space.  August 18th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will still be at our usual time (11 am) and located at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201).

More on the Congressional Outing:

Just as a reminder about the outing, to communicate in case we split up or get lost go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Moonsociety/?ref=bookmarks Ill be putting up a post for a group chat to ask questions or find out where we are.

I will be carrying an NSS bag and standing near the elevators inside till about 20 min before starting so if you want we can sit together. I’m not sure what we will do for lunch but there is a campus cafeteria. Also please be sure you look up the event in advance and find a parking structure you might like. most lots charge 3 dollars an hour and this will be an all day event

See you Saturday.

Phyllis Redhair President

 

 

Saturday August 18th meeting of NSS Phoenix Featuring Dr Troy Howe Presenting a talk on Radioisotope Power Sources, Used for Deep Space Missions

The August 18th meeting of the Phoenix Chapters of the National Space Society and the Moon Society will be at our usual time (11 am) and location at the Humanist Community Center in Mesa (627 W. Rio Salado Blvd (formerly 8th St.), Mesa, AZ, 85201.

The August meeting will Feature Dr Troy Howe, and speak about Radioisotope Power Sources, used for deep space missions to provide electrical power when solar is too weak to help., Then, a review of current and past RTGs as well as share with us some of his work with radioisotope thermo-photovoltaics.

Outing Announcement:

I hope you all had a wonderful July and kept cool during those record heat breaking days. I would like to pass on a very generous invitation, “on behalf of ASU President Dr. Michael Crow and Matt Salmon, Vice President of Government and Community Engagement at ASU, the local Phoenix chapter of the National Space Society is cordially invited to attend a Congressional Conference Event, Join NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and multiple members of the Arizona Congressional delegation as we discuss the current and future state of space exploration.”

The conference will be followed by a brief reception to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and networking while surrounded by examples of ASU and industry partner NASA space exploration projects.”

Please respond to the members email for NSS PHX @ Phyllis.Redhair2012@gmail.com so I can send information on this invitation only event for date, time, and location. This is a free event at ASU and you will need to get the register link to RSVP.

I appreciate you all, and all you do, see you Saturday!

 

Phyllis Redhair
NSS Phoenix Chapter President