NSS News

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Upcoming Boston NSS Events

Thursday, December 5, 7:30pm

"The Case for Mars"
by Dr. Robert Zubrin

Dr. Zubrin, chairman of the executive committee of the National Space Society, founder and president of Pioneer Astronautics, and author of the new book The Case for Mars, will speak at a special meeting of the Boston chapter of the NSS December 5. Zubrin will present his argument on why humans, and specifically Americans, must explore Mars. He will also show how this can be done with his critically-regarded "Mars Direct" mission proposal for far less money than other concepts.
     To accommodate the great interest expected in this event, the meeting will be held on the MIT campus in room 100 of the Green Building (building 54), the tallest building on campus. The event is co-sponsored by the MIT chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), the MIT Lecture Series Committee, and the AIAA. For more information or specific directions to the meeting contact Bruce Mackenzie, bam@draper.com, 617-258-2828.

Thursday, January 9, 7:30pm

"Challenger Learning Center and Project Aries"
by Bruce Matson, Challenger Learning Center

The CLC brings the excitement, wonder, and science of space exploration to school children of all ages. Bruce Matson shows how they do this with a simulated Space Shuttle mission to Comet Halley. Matson will also discuss Project Aries, a cooperative project with Harvard Smithsonian to educate children on astronomy. This includes hands-on demonstrations.

Thursday, February 6, 7:30pm

"Future Life on Mars"
by Bruce Mackenzie, NSS/SSI

Whether or not life existed on Mars in the Past, life CAN exist on Mars in the future. What might it be like to build a settlement on Mars? Can it be done without bringing everything from Earth? Come see photos of dozens of real buildings which could be built on Mars, using local materials. To contain the costs, we must make maximum use of local building materials with minimum processing: dirt, rock and brick. We should also use simple building techniques, so that the tools can be simple and reliable, and so we can improvise quickly.

Purchase an (Autographed) Copy of The Case for Mars

The Boston chapter of the NSS will be selling copies of the book The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must, by Robert Zubrin with Richard Wagner. This is a special opportunity to not only purchase the book but to get a copy autographed by Robert Zubrin himself, who is speaking at the December meeting (see above).
     Each copy of the book is $25. We can either hold the book for you to pick up at the December (or future) Boston NSS meeting, or we can ship it to you for an additional $3. If you would like your copy autographed, please let us know and we will try to honor your request, although we cannot make any guarantees.
     Please use this opportunity to consider joining or renewing your membership in the Boston chapter of the NSS. Dues are only $12/year for individuals and $16/year for families. Boston NSS memberships include a subscription to SpaceViews, a monthly newsletter of space news and opinion. If you're not yet a member of the NSS, you can join both the national organization and the Boston chapter for one low price of $35. you'll get both SpaceViews and the bimonthly national magazine, Ad Astra.

Order Form

	____ order 1 copy of The Case for Mars ($25)
	___  ship to me  (add $3), or
	___  hold for me, will pick up at future meeting
	___  please autograph, if possible, to: 
	       (name, print clearly)___________

	___  New NSS membership ($35) (no renewals)
	___  gift NSS & Boston Chapter membership ($35, 
	       sorry, new members only)
	___  only NSS Boston chapter membership ($12), 
	       include SpaceViews.

make checks payable to Boston NSS Send to: Boston NSS, c/o Bruce Mackenzie, 110 Van Norden Road, Reading, MA 01867.

Philadelphia Area Space Alliance News

by Jay Haines

PASA meets regularly for a business luncheon and formal meeting from 1-3pm, the third Saturday of every month at Smart Alex Restaurant, Sheraton University City, 35th & Chestnut. 2 hours free parking with validation.
     Scheduled activities: probable trip to Franklin Institute in early Dec. (some free passes avaliable). Call Michelle for details. December 21st monthly meeting, election of officers.
     November 22-24: PASA will have presented and exhibited at Philcon. Jim Chestek and Don Cox's presentation will have been on Fri., Nov.23rd. More news next month.

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