bytebug@pertec.UUCP (05/16/84)
I got a request for donation today from Edward G. Gibson, representing
the "American Space Foundation". Enclosed was an "Official NASA
Photograph" (very poor quality print - *not* a photographic print) of
one of the Shuttles taking off.
I am encouraged to return a "verification" slip, to let Mr. Gibson know
if I received the photograph intact, or if it was "scratched, folded or
otherwise damaged" in which case they'll send me another copy. They
would also like my help to "restore strength and vitality to our
nation's space program" (i.e. $15, $25, $50, $100, $500, $1000 or
$Other)
I might like to support our Nations space program, and most of us will
agree that it's "strength and vitality" needs to be restored - but is
the American Space Foundation the right organization to do it?
I'd welcome some comments on where to send my $Other to.
-roger long
{trwrb|scgvaxd}!pertec!bytebughenry@utzoo.UUCP (Henry Spencer) (05/20/84)
Two good places to send your $$$ to are:
The Space Studies Institute
195 Nassau Street
P.O. Box 82
Princeton, NJ 08540
The L-5 Society
1060 East Elm
Tucson, Arizona 85719
I think both of these addresses are current.
SSI is Gerard O'Neill's organization. It exists to fund research related
to space industrialization and colonization. It funds all current work
on the O'Neill mass driver, both as a launch device and as a rocket engine.
It recently funded a major study on the details of chemical processing of
lunar ores, and is gearing up for the first major study of how to build a
Solar Power Satellite from lunar/asteroidal materials. These folks are
doing good stuff; they are practically the only independent source of
research funding for space work (although the Planetary Society has been
dabbling in it lately). They will definitely use your money well.
The L-5 Society is the oldest and still the best of the space-activist
groups, involved in serious pushing for bigger and better space programs.
L-5 was instrumental in defeating the infamous "Moon Treaty", played
an important role in the survival of the Galileo mission, and has
helped the Space Station along noticeably. (Oops, excuse me, correction:
L-5 didn't do these things, organizations "loosely affiliated" with it
did them. L-5's tax status doesn't permit it to engage in politics. :-)
If you want to help the space program, JOIN!!
--
Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!henryeder@ssc-vax.UUCP (Dani Eder) (05/21/84)
[non-violent bug-catcher]
21 May 1984
I received a similar mailing about a year ago, when they were just
getting started. Since I have been involved with space activism for years
and had never heard of the ASF, I gave them a call and talked to someone
in thier office for a while.
They started in November of 1982. Their membership has been gotten
almost entirely from mass mailings such as you and I recieved. Astronauts
have lent their names to the mailings but are not directly involved in the
operation. The organization says they intend to be lobbyists for space in
Washington, D.C.
Other space organizations have different aims. The L-5 Society promotes
space development of all kinds, is non-profit, and works by educating the
public. The Planetary Society supports research and exploration of the
Solar System, and uses soe of its money directly for funding research.
Dani Eder / Boeing Aerospace Company / ssc-vax!eder