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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30837066022810019082017-11-20T07:02:27.820-05:00The Coalition to Save Manned Space ExplorationAbout Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-57634778180038899202017-10-03T02:03:00.001-04:002017-11-17T10:53:56.146-05:00YOU Can Help Confirm the new NASA Administrator

The Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration endorses the nomination of Rep. Jim Bridenstine to be the next NASA Administrator.

Hon. Bridenstine was approved by the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Science Committee. The full Senate confirmation vote is expected soon.
Please support Rep. Jim Bridenstine's nomination. It is important for all space advocates that he be confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent or a strong bi-partisan vote.

The Coalition has been helping to lead the way by working with pro-space groups to urge their support, contacting Senators, speaking at the Mars Society Convention, as well as addressing a meeting of 140 political leaders.

Congressman Bridenstine is a strong supporter of the space program, commercial and new-space, crewed Moon and Mars missions, and an overall restoration of American leadership in space exploration. Under his leadership, combined with the strong support by President Trump, and Vice President Pence's leadership in the new National Space Council, we have the opportunity to reform NASA and set a serious roadmap to return to the Moon in the 2020s and land on Mars in the 2030s.

While politics in Congress has unfortunately become more combative in recent years, space and NASA policy has always remained overwhelmingly non-partisan. Some may disagree with

Democrats and Republicans united to send Americans to the moon, and to build the space shuttles and the International Space Station. United, we will indeed return to the Moon and go to Mars sooner than many believe possible. Divided, we will never make it.

NASA is effectively paralyzed until a permanent administrator is confirmed. That means no shift to real plans to go to Mars or the Moon.

Historically, the Senate confirms NASA administrators with unanimous votes:

In 2009, both Maj. Gen.(Ret.) Charles F. Bolden, and Lori Garver were confirmed by unanimous consent.

In 2005, Dr. Michael D. Griffin was confirmed by voice vote.

In 2001, Sean O'Keefe was unanimously confirmed.

In 1992, Daniel S. Goldin was confirmed by unanimous consent.

Etc.

Let's give Rep. Bridenstine the unanimous bi-partisan and non-partisan support he needs to lead NASA to actually put us on the path to Mars. A contentious, party-line vote will harm NASA and our space program by making it difficult to get support in Congress for budgets, authorizations and real roadmaps to Mars, the Moon and beyond.

We do not live in a vacuum, and absent American leadership in space, China and other dictatorships and adversaries will seize the strategic advantage. If China wishes us to believe they would not claim the Moon and orbital space as their own, they are setting a poor example in the South China Sea. Commercial space will not be welcome in space dominated by dictatorships.

TAKE ACTION! Here's how:

Please call your Senators at 202-224-3121. Do not just leave a comment with the receptionist or intern, but ask to speak with the Senator's NASA advisor or the Legislative Director. That will assure your support is communicated to the Senator in the best possible way. Leave a voicemail with the staffer if they can't take your call, and you can ask for their email addresses and send a friendly email in support of the nomination.

Contact info for the U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov/senators/contact

Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness

Write an email to the Senator's NASA advisor/legislative assistant. Ask the receptionist for their email address.

If you run a space-related business or organization, request a meeting with your Senators or their senior staff, as well as those on the Space Subcommittee. Write a letter on your letterhead--but email a PDF to the Senator's NASA advisor rather than mail it. Post office mail can take weeks to be delivered due to security.

Visit your Senators' offices, either in your state or at the U.S. Capitol.

Post supporting messages on social media. Encourage others to join together for a united, strong space program.

Write a letter to the editor or op-ed to a major newspaper and/or space industry publication.

Call talk shows.

If you are a member of any space advocacy and related organizations, please request that they endorse Bridenstine's nomination.

Read Rep. Bridenstine's American Space Renaissance Act.

Read Rep. Bridenstine's impressive biography.

Please pass the word to your members, friends, contacts and supporters.
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About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-29035284048737990612017-07-03T18:36:00.003-04:002017-07-03T18:36:57.119-04:00Recreating the National Space Council

President Trump signed the order on June 30 to reestablish the National Space Council to offer badly needed expert guidance to move #NASA and our space program forwards--to actually set America on course for the Moon, Mars and beyond. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin joined the president in the signing ceremony, just weeks before the 48th anniversary of Apollo 11's landing on the Moon.

Vice President Pence will be the chairman of the Council, and will make a statement on space policy on July 6 at the Kennedy Space Center.

Remarks by the President Signing an Executive Order on the National Space Council

THE PRESIDENT:<o:p></o:p>

Thank you very much to our great Vice President and also for the fantastic job that Mike has been doing. <o:p></o:p>

The future of American space leadership -- we're going to lead again. It's been a long time. It's over 25 years, and we're opening up, and we are going to be leading again like we've never led before.<o:p></o:p>

We're a nation of pioneers, and the next great American frontier is space. And we never completed -- we started, but we never completed. We stopped. But now we start again. And we have tremendous spirit, and we're going to have tremendous spirit from the private sector -- maybe in particular from the private sector.<o:p></o:p>

I'd like to extend a special welcome to an American hero who've I've known actually for a long time, Buzz Aldrin, who is with us today. (Applause.) Known him a long time. Thank you also to Astronauts Benjamin Drew and David Wolf and former NASA Flight Director Gene Kranz for being with us and for working with us on exactly what we're doing today. Thank you all very much. We appreciate it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.) <o:p></o:p>

Today, we're taking a crucial step to secure America's future in space by reviving the National Space Council after it has been dormant almost 25 years if you can believe it.<o:p></o:p>

During the campaign, Vice President Pence promised that our administration -- because Mike is very much into space -- would revive the National Space Council, and with this executive order, we're keeping that promise. I used to say, what happened? Why aren't we moving forward?<o:p></o:p>

Today's announcement sends a clear signal to the world that we are restoring America's proud legacy of leadership in space.<o:p></o:p>

Our Vice President cares very deeply about space policy, and for good reason -- space exploration is not only essential to our character as a nation, but also our economy and our great nation's security. <o:p></o:p>

Our travels beyond the Earth propel scientific discoveries that improve our lives in countless ways here, right here, at home: powering vast new industry, spurring incredible new technology, and providing the space security we need to protect the American people. And security is going to be a very big factor with respect to space and space exploration. At some point in the future, we're going to look back and say how did we do it without space? <o:p></o:p>

The Vice President will serve as the council's chair. Several representatives of my administration will join him including the Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security; the Chairman of the great -- I'll tell you, he's doing a fantastic job, always working, always fighting, and winning -- winning big against ISIS, that I can tell you, seeing what's happening there -- the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Advisor, NASA, and the Director of National Intelligence.<o:p></o:p>

The council will also draw the expertise of other White House offices as well as insights from scientists, innovators, and business leaders from across the country. Many business leaders that want to be a big part of this. I think the privatization of certain aspects is going to play a very crucial role, don't you think? They are truly into it. This coordination will be accomplished through an advisory group that is being convened by today's executive order, which I'll be signing in a minute. <o:p></o:p>

The National Space Council will be a central hub guiding space policy within the administration. And I will draw on it for advice and information and recommendations for action. And the Vice President, myself, and a few others are going to pick some private people to be on the board. I will say that's not easy because everybody wants to be on this board. People that you wouldn't have believed loved what we're doing so much they want to -- some of the most successful people in the world want to be on this board.<o:p></o:p>

The human soul yearns for discovery. By unlocking the mysteries of the universe, we unlock truths within ourselves. That's true. Our journey into space will not only make us stronger and more prosperous, but will unite us behind grand ambitions and bring us all closer together. Wouldn't that be nice? Can you believe that space is going to do that? I thought politics would do that. (Laughter.) Well, we'll have to rely on space instead.<o:p></o:p>

Every launch into the skies is another step forward toward a future where our differences seem small against the vast expanse of our common humanity. Sometimes you have to view things from a distance in order to see the real truth. It is America's destiny to be at the forefront of humanity's eternal quest for knowledge and to be the leader amongst nations on our adventure into the great unknown. And I could say the great and very beautiful unknown. Nothing more beautiful. <o:p></o:p>

With the actions we are launching today, America will think big once again. Important words: Think big. We haven't been thinking so big for a long time, but we're thinking big again as a county. We will inspire millions of children to carry on this proud tradition of American space leadership -- and they're excited -- and to never stop wondering, hoping, and dreaming about what lies beyond the stars.<o:p></o:p>

So, I just want to tell you that we are now going to sign an executive order, and this is going to launch a whole new chapter for our great country. And people are very excited about it and I can tell you, I'm very excited about it. Thank you all very much. (Applause.) <o:p></o:p>

COLONEL ALDRIN: Infinity and beyond. (Laughter.)<o:p></o:p>

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot made a statement about Friday's Executive Order creating the National Space Council:

"I am pleased that President Trump has signed an executive order reestablishing the National Space Council. The council existed previously from 1989-1993, and a version of it also existed as the National Aeronautics and Space Council from 1958-1973. As such, the council has guided NASA from our earliest days and can help us achieve the many ambitious... milestones we are striving for today.

 "This high-level group advises the president and comprises the leaders of government agencies with a stake in space, including the NASA administrator, the Secretaries of State, Commerce, Defense, and others, and will be chaired by Vice President Mike Pence. It will help ensure that all aspects of the nation's space power -- national security, commerce, international relations, exploration, and science, are coordinated and aligned to best serve the American people. A Users' Advisory Group also will be convened so that the interests of industries and other non-federal entities are represented.

 "The establishment of the council is another demonstration of the Trump Administration's deep interest in our work, and a testament to the importance of space exploration to our economy, our nation, and the planet as a whole."

About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-20510304707956735302017-03-30T16:17:00.005-04:002017-03-30T16:17:57.993-04:00The Presidential Briefing

Art Harman, the Director of the Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration met recently with the White House officials involved in setting the Trump administration's space policy.

Mr. Harman presented the organization's landmark paper, "A Space Program Worthy of the United States," which is a 19-point plan to rebuild America's space program and actually land Americans on the moon and Mars in the near future, as well as to not allow China and other nations to overtake the U.S.

The meeting was very useful and the administration is seeking new ideas and advice.

At present, the administration is preparing its plans to refocus NASA's priorities, and many observers expect a greater focus on deep space exploration and commercial partnerships.

The Coalition is in continuing contact with the administration and Congress to help assure we will remain the leader in the world for space exploration and high technology, and will in fact return to the Moon and go to Mars--sooner than many believe possible.About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-53342325978818018062017-03-30T16:02:00.000-04:002017-03-30T16:02:16.989-04:00Congressional Briefings

Art Harman, the Director of the Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration, participated in a massive Congressional lobbying campaign over two days with volunteer space advocates from around the country, and members of many space advocacy organizations. This was the annual Space Exploration Alliance's "Legislative Blitz," which this year met with staff and members of Congress in over 175 offices.

You can help too! Call your Senators and Representative, and ask that they support a bold new space program, and the funding to support it. Call 202-224-3121, and when you reach your Senators' and Representative's offices, ask for the Legislative Assistant that handles NASA so you are talking with the staffer responsible for that issue.

Now that we have a president that is more friendly to the space program, it is vital to build greater support in Congress for a return to the moon and a true roadmap to Mars. Congress has already passed the NASA Transition Authorization Act this year, which offers good guidance for NASA in restoring our space program to greatness.About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-53819327725187556332016-12-25T04:13:00.001-05:002016-12-27T01:01:13.414-05:00Thank You and Please Donate for 2017!

To the Moon and Mars! Great New Opportunities in 2017.
Your Donation will be Greatly Appreciated.

Dear Space Advocate,

Thank you so much for your support in 2016!

Beyond the many exciting advances this year in the space program, including successful booster landings by Space X and Blue Origin, and the first test of the Bigelow inflatable habitat on ISS, the most important news is that the incoming Trump administration has pledged to seriously refocus our space program on real space exploration, and to forge greater commercial space partnerships with NASA.

At last, real missions to the Moon and Mars may be formulated.

But in spite of the expected administration support, the dream we all share could be betrayed by a hostile media, self-serving bureaucrats, budget cuts, and political opposition.

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Without external support from groups like Save Manned Space, the inertia in Washington against change could be too powerful to make a real difference.

Meanwhile China seeks dominance in space, just as they do in the South China Sea. Time is of the essence, and if America follows the same path as the last eight years, we could see Chinese military-run bases on the Moon and Mars long before American bases. Space dominated by China would be hostile to commercial space.

But there is hope. Real hope that for the first time in too many years, America can harness the American spirit and the and make real and fast progress.

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This year, the Coalition promoted the bold vision for revitalizing our space program to the presidential candidates and to the winner, Donald Trump.

The plans promoted how America must enact near-term plans for Lunar and Martian bases and the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby. The Coalition increased its outreach to many news outlets including publishing an op-ed on Trump's space goals, contacts with Congress, and the Director gave four speeches and participated in a debate at the Mars Society's International Convention.

We will work with the new administration, Congress, space advocacy organizations and the public to make 2017 the year that we actually start on a genuine path to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

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Save Manned Space's non-partisan educational campaigns will educate decision makers in Congress and the new administration on the immense benefits of remaining the leader in space exploration, and why we must and can go to the Moon and Mars--far sooner than we were told was possible.

Remember, we went to the Moon from scratch in just 8 years. It is possible if the administration gets a fast start, to make up for the lost 8 years, and land Americans on the Moon again before 2021. And to build a functional base on the Moon before 2025, and be well along the path by 2024 for the first Mars landing in the 2030s.

One reason fast action is essential? Imgaine if we set forth on a path to the Moon and Mars, and a different president is elected in 2020 and cancels everything again. Let's not make it easy for a future president to de-rail what we can now build.

It's not the technology that's keeping us traped in low earth orbit. After all, your phone has far more computing power than the Apollo lander did. It's political will. That's all. That's why advocacy organizations like Save Manned Space are essential in building support.

Public educational campaigns will increase to the media, and to space advocates who's voices are essential in uniting support for real missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

But it all starts with your support.

Please donate now to help make our long-postponed dreams finally become a reality.

Many in Congress and the media don't understand that the space program returns far more to the economy in new inventions ('spinoffs') than the investment. And that's not counting the job creation, advances in science, inventions, inspiration for students to go into STEM careers, and even greater international respect.

Step one for the next president is to cancel the nearly-useless Asteroid Redirect Mission, and replace it with the exciting "Apollo 8 for Mars," the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby, which can be accomplished with hardware already being built and tested--including the mission habitat which NASA is now developing.

This should be approved in early 2017, while President Trump formulates the long-range national space strategy which will in fact make NASA's "Journey to Mars" a reality, not just a slogan and hashtag. Concurrently, America must lead the way back to the Moon in the 2020s; to learn how to live on another world and then with lessons learned, go to Mars in the 2030s.

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The first 100 days of the new administration are especially critical to succeeding--or getting bogged down in the bureaucracy and changing nothing. Please donate now to help Save Manned Space offer the necessary public support. Donations are not tax deductible.

Please add your support now for a bold new space program. $5, $25, $50 or even $5,000--it all adds up and makes a great difference.

Thank you very much for making a difference.

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More information about the Coalition:

</form>http://www.savemannedspace.com/p/about-coalition.html

Media: Contact the Coalition for interviews:
www.savemannedspace.com/p/media-coverage-radio-and-news.html

Photo credit: NASAAbout Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-20709965731561346262016-12-12T14:08:00.001-05:002016-12-14T00:47:53.784-05:00A Space Agenda Worthy of the United States

A Space Agenda Worthy of the United States
A Presidential Transition Briefing
By Art Harman
Director, the Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration

Americans have a great vision of what a real space program would look like. Many remember the stunning historic accomplishments during the Apollo days, or the 135 space shuttle missions, or even constructing the space station. President George W. Bush continued that proud tradition by setting America on course back to the Moon and on to Mars. But the last eight years saw a cancellation of all plans for deep space exploration--replaced by rhetoric of a 'journey to Mars,' but missing the plans to get there. The dream seemed betrayed, and expectations of a bright future appeared to dim.

President-elect Trump has promised to launch a bold new era in space exploration; to restore NASA to its true mission of space exploration. Coalition Director Art Harman's op-ed in the Washington Times described some of his goals. Mr. Harman prepared the recommendations in this brief paper to assist the transition as it seeks to direct NASA to best achieve the president-elect's goal to make America great again in space.

Premise: America must remain the worldwide leader in space exploration and technology.

If we retreat; if we ignore global competitors; if we look not at the incredible payoffs to the economy but at the investments required; if we fail to join a race others have already started, then America loses. America loses the investments, jobs, inventions, national pride and international respect. Perhaps forever.

Those are the stakes. We don't live in a vacuum, and China is working fast with the intent to surpass the U.S. Their military-led space program is a strategic threat, not merely a competitive threat, and requires bold American leadership to stay in the lead. If China doesn't intend to claim the Moon, Mars or orbital space as theirs, they are setting a poor example in the South China Sea, and space dominated by China would be hostile to commercial space. We lost eight critical years under President Obama, giving China and others a tremendous head start. Therefore, America must now lead the way and build a Lunar base and go to Mars, harnessing the best of American innovation and commercial enterprise. The result will be a booming economy, great jobs, more investments, students beating down the doors for STEM studies and careers, and greater national pride and international respect.

The following recommendations address key programs and goals to rebuild our space program.

Asteroid: NASA must cancel the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). This should be done immediately to avoid wasting further precious NASA resources on this decade-long detour from real space exploration. ARM is hated by NASA engineers, Congress, space experts and space advocates, and it would consume $2 billion for just one single mission of mild interest sometime in the late 2020s--at the same time China is likely to be stunning the world building their Lunar base.

Commercial ventures such as Deep Space Industries and Planetary Resources are eager to mine asteroids on their own, but the pending ARM mission might cause investors to wait 10-15 years to see its results before investing.

Commercial Crew: NASA should accelerate commercial crew launch readiness to eliminate reliance on single-source crew launches on Soyuz. This is of critical importance following the recent Soyuz/Progress launch failure, and a similar 2011 failure. If ISS must be de-crewed before a Soyuz return to flight, this could be dangerous to its survival; read Art Harman's 2011 paper on possible actions to avoid de-crewing the space station during a launch crisis. NASA should ask Congress for immediate supplemental appropriations.

Heavy Lift: NASA should accelerate SLS/Orion readiness and prepare for a minimum of two launches per year to allow real missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. America used to launch several shuttles per year, and we must not retreat to currently-scheduled exploration launches every few years and only to Lunar orbit. Super-heavy lift SLS is essential for Lunar and Martian exploration, and would be used for large payloads, while Falcon Heavy and New Glenn rockets can be used for smaller payloads. NASA should ask Congress for supplemental appropriations.

Mars Flyby: Replace ARM with the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby opportunity. This is a near-term mission to inspire Americans and would accomplish the "Apollo 8" validation for the journey to Mars in preparation for real landings. Costs might not be too much more than ARM. America went to the Moon from scratch in just eight years, so we can certainly do a flyby in four years. Key elements include: Accelerate SLS production and shakedown missions, develop the ECLSS life support for a 600-day mission, and develop the transit habitat.

Moon: Declare it is U.S. national space policy to begin construction in the early 2020s of a Lunar research base with ISS partners--and make it happen. NASA would prepare the timelines, hardware and personnel needs, and prepare the budget requests to Congress.

The current NASA Administrator proclaimed, "America will never lead a mission to the Moon in my lifetime, in spite of our ISS partners begging us to do so." NASA shuttle astronaut Leonard Chiao, who served on the Augustine Commission was instructed that the Moon was off-limits for the Commission's findings: "the moon was perceived as President [George W.] Bush's program, so I don't think that was really a starter, politically." It is now time to cancel the apparently partisan opposition to exploring the Moon and invite our ISS partners to help us build a Lunar base.

Mars: Declare it is U.S. national space policy to achieve the first crewed landing on Mars in the early or mid 2030s--and make it happen. NASA should begin to prepare the timelines, hardware and personnel needs, and prepare the budget requests to Congress.

The current administration has stated NASA is on a "journey to Mars," however there are no concrete plans or budget requests--it's just rhetoric and hashtags. Embarking on a 1,000 day Mars mission without first learning how to live on another world on the Moon unnecessarily risks astronauts' lives. The Moon is three days to home in case of disaster, and all costs and timetables are dramatically less by using the Moon as the training ground for Mars.

Buzz Aldrin agrees we must go to the Moon first, saying, (The first astronauts to go to Mars will) "need to go to the Moon orbit and assist in the assembly of modules to be landed while preparing that base on the Moon. They need to go down and stay on the Moon for some time. Now they would know what Mars is going to be like."

Lunar Orbital Station: Various proposals are promoting building an ISS-like space station in Lunar orbit. While intriguing, the reality is that very little would be gained from this. Construction could take years and billions of dollars, diverting resources from landing on the Moon and building a research base that would be truly valuable.

America must avoid spending years merely in Lunar orbit rather than actually landing. The surface of the Moon, not Lunar orbit, is the essential test-bed for learning how to successfully live on the surface of Mars, and the public would support landings far more than they would a decade's detour to Lunar orbit without ever landing on the Moon.

China and perhaps ESA will be landing on the Moon, likely in the early to mid 2020s, and the U.S. should not be stuck in Lunar orbit while China is building military and semi-civilian bases and capturing worldwide enthusiasm. It would be financially difficult to pursue both a lunar research base and a lunar-orbit space station. A few 30-day Orion missions with a habitat could accomplish almost as much science as would a lunar orbit station, yet would not delay by a decade landing on the Moon and going to Mars.

Commercial Space: The new administration has the opportunity to increase commercial partnerships with NASA. For example, a space act agreement or X-Prize could be awarded for lunar landers and many other critical needs. The National Space Policy Council is likely to work out the right balance between new space, industry and NASA resources for everything from rockets to habitats.

NASA and other agencies must avoid over-regulating commercial space ventures, and support property rights in space and useful legislative needs. NASA should continue to share data and technology with U.S. commercial space ventures, such as Space X's planned "red Dragon" unmanned landing on Mars.

China: China's aggressive thefts of America's highest technologies requires a high degree of defense. Further, if the world is to believe China does not intend to claim the Moon as theirs, they are setting a poor example in the South China Sea. Therefore, it is essential to:
* Maintain the existing ban on all space cooperation with China, because their military-led space program would plunder our highest technologies for military purposes and unfairly compete with U.S. space industries with stolen tech.
* Maintain existing ITAR laws to protect U.S. dual-military-use high technology from being stolen by China and other nations.

New International Partners: NASA should continue to advance opportunities for India, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates to become partners on the International Space Station and future space exploration missions. China must not be an ISS partner due to their theft of our highest technologies.

Revitalize our Planetary Probes: Beyond the 2020 Mars rover and a Europa mission, there are no robotic planetary missions planned beyond 2020. It often takes a decade or longer to design, build, launch and journey to distant planets, therefore without action early in the administration, we will have a dry spell in the 2020s and beyond. NASA must:
* Continue building and launch the 2020 Mars rover, which will collect and store soil samples for later return to Earth.
* Begin development soon for the Mars soil sample return (MSR) mission. Human landings cannot safely occur until we have fully tested on Earth all elements of the soil for toxins and perhaps ruled in or out the possibility of indigenous life. The MSR has been the top priority of the Planetary Decadal Survey for many years, and must be launched within a few years or less after the 2020 rover collects samples for return.
* All future robotic Mars missions should be focused to support human landings and habitation. No more using launch windows for InSight or MAVEN type pure science missions. Better might be robots that seek and process water or drones that scout human landing sites.
* Support the planned mission to Jupiter's moon, Europa.
* Consult the Decadal Survey for additional planetary mission priorities for the 2020s and 2030s.
* Use SLS or other heavy lift rockets where appropriate to allow larger planetary spacecraft, or to cut years off transit times (which saves time and money).
* Increase supplies of plutonium-238 (the power source for Curiosity and outer planet missions) to allow for future long-duration and outer-planet probes. Without plutonium 238 production, outer planetary missions would be impossible.

Advanced R&D: Increase research and development via space act agreements and X-Prize-like awards for advanced technologies for human space exploration. This can include kW and mW range plasma engine propulsion--suitable for manned spacecraft, such as Ad Astra's VASIMR, inflatable habitats and space stations such as Bigelow Aerospace's, advanced long-duration life support such as Paragon Space Development Corp's, nuclear reactors for space propulsion and Mars/Lunar bases, such as NASA/DoE's proposal. NASA's Swampworks is the current hub for many technologies essential to live on other worlds, and should receive increased funding in preparation for Lunar and Mars landings.

This Term: President George W. Bush set a course back to the moon and then to Mars with the Constellation program. His greatest error was in not funding it sufficiently to get back to the Moon within his two terms. Had he, America would now have a well-established base on the Moon and be preparing for Mars missions. By going slow, he left an unfinished plan that was easy for President Obama to kill.

It is therefore essential to 'deliver the goods' within the first and second terms to keep public and Congressional support, so there is so much momentum that another anti-space president like Obama can't shut it down. Because Congress had the foresight to save SLS and Orion and to begin habitat development, real manned missions perhaps including a Lunar landing, are possible within the first term. Within the second term, we can accomplish the Mars-Venus flyby, build a Lunar base, and start to build the components for a Mars landing.

Refocus NASA: NASA can be restored to its core mission of space exploration by removing activities which other agencies could better accomplish. For example, 13 other agencies study the climate, and they should take over such activities from NASA. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies should be abolished as it has become a left-wing activist entity which is unconnected with NASA's mission. Read Coalition Director Art Harman's paper on how NASA's mission was diverted from space exploration to climate change.

National Space Council: The vice-president should use the National Space Policy Council to determine the best mix of new commercial space, industry and NASA resources to accomplish our national space policy objectives, and to determine the best methods to support private space ventures. The vice president should work with Congress to secure the necessary authorizations and appropriations. One of the intentional faults with the Obama Augustine Commission was in not concluding that space exploration was a serious national priority, and should receive sufficient support. The Council should therefore start with the premise that the U.S. must remain the leader in space exploration and technology, and evaluate its decisions based on that premise.

Budget: NASA's budget has declined from about 4% of the Federal budget during Apollo to less than 1/2 of a percent of the budget today. U.S. high tech leadership is essential to our growth and global competitiveness, NASA must be seen not as an expense, but an investment which pays off far more to the economy. To retain our leadership as China and others are setting course to the Moon and beyond, it is vital to increase NASA's budget to accomplish the president-elect's goals.

Note: Once the James Webb Telescope is launched, the large development funds should not be cut from subsequent NASA budgets, but kept within NASA for space exploration. A flat or barely-increased NASA budget is a recipe for continued decline, and would pit important NASA missions against each other for survival. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson advocates for 1% for space, or roughly doubling the budget. Perhaps a 20% increase each year would be a good start. Like defense, space exploration is a national and strategic priority which must be increased and not cut.

Leadership: The old adage is that "personnel is policy" is particularly applicable for NASA or any agency in great need of reform and re-focusing on strategic goals. It is therefore vital to nominate a NASA Administrator and a Deputy who will be most able to effectively restore NASA's deep space exploration mission and to cut bureaucracy. NASA in the Apollo era was entrepreneurial and fast paced, and succeeded in the seemingly impossible: going to the Moon, having to invent everything along the way, and to do it "within this decade." With similar star-high goals and tight deadlines, America can make history again.

Address to the Nation: To rekindle public support and enthusiasm, and to build additional support in Congress, President Trump should make a major speech in support of a bold return to space exploration within a few months after Inauguration Day. This will inspire Americans who are weary of watching America retreat, drive students to STEM programs and careers, and send a signal to the space industry that America is returning to bold space leadership. I would recommend a few hints in the inaugural address of things to come.

The public strongly supports the space program, and President-elect Donald Trump has the opportunity to re-launch American leadership in space. This agenda outline will help point the way to America's bold future as the leader in space exploration, technology and jobs for the next generation.

(image credit NASA/JSC)About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-91194127862121362302016-11-09T23:45:00.002-05:002016-11-09T23:45:40.074-05:00Congratulations to the New President and Vice PresidentThe Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence on their election.

The Vice President will chair a new National Space Policy Council to restructure the space program towards a greater focus on manned space exploration.

Coalition Director Art Harman discussed NASA and commercial space priorities with the campaign and transition, and Americans can expect the new administration will restore our space program and return Americans to the Moon and go to Mars--sooner than many believe possible.

About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-34687675680480901652016-11-02T00:36:00.001-04:002016-11-02T00:38:26.145-04:00Save Manned Space's Op-Ed Published on Trump Space Policy

The Washington Times published the op-ed article by Save Manned Space director Art Harman, which outlines the space policies of Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence. Pence will be the Chairman of a new National Space Policy Council, which will restructure NASA to focus more on space exploration, and less on duplicating activities done by other agencies. America must return to the Moon and with lessons learned, landing on Mars, and this can be done in far les time than expected if made a national priority.

Please read this opinion article which reached to top policy makers in Washington, DC.

President John F. Kennedy challenged our great nation to go to the moon "in this decade," and just eight years later, we heard Neil Armstrong's legendary words spoken from the moon: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Our space program helped America become the undisputed leader for generations in high technology, created countless jobs and prosperity, and our national pride and international respect soared to high levels.

Click link to continue reading at the Washington Times:

www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/oct/31/making-america-great-again-in-space/About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-36383142858604016672016-10-31T21:27:00.001-04:002016-10-31T21:29:03.796-04:00Gov. Pence: 'President Trump Will Lead America To The Stars!"

Governor Mike Pence gave a stirring speech to thousands of NASA and space workers on Florida's Space Coast, declaring the Trump-Pence administration would restore our space program and focus on deep space exploration (Moon, Mars and beyond).

Flanked by the Space Coast's own Congressman, Bill Posey, the Chairman of the House Space Subcommittee, Brian Babin of Texas, and the former Congressman from the Space Coast, Dave Weldon, Pence's message was welcome news in a campaign where many worried the next president would continue Obama's policies which dealt a near-fatal blow to deep space exploration.

Calling for plans to "lead America to the stars," the audience cheered Pence's plans to "focus the mission of NASA on space exploration," which could allow Americans to return to the Moon and go to Mars, Pence set a high standard evocative of President Kennedy's bold goals, "we all know that space is the final frontier. And just as we've always done before, America needs to lead the way on the final frontier!"

This was a powerful message of support and hope for commercial space, NASA and the greater community of space supporters across America, and offers the prospect of a very real "Journey to Mars" in marked contrast to Hillary Clinton's likely continuation of Obama's destruction of space exploration plans.

Pence would chair a revived National Space Policy Council which would restructure NASA to focus on deep space exploration, eliminate functions duplicated by other agencies such as global warming theory advocacy, structure new relationships with commercial space companies, and advance plans for launching Americans on deep space exploration missions during their first and second terms.

President Kennedy challenged America to go to the Moon, and just eight years later Neil Armstrong made the historic "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." The last eight years set America back by a decade or more in deep space exploration–which awarded China and Russia a similar head-start in very real space race, a point not lost on Pence who warned, "we cannot afford to fall further behind in space exploration or technology."

A Trump-Pence administration would set NASA on bold, new course for breathtaking accomplishments in space within the next administration; to make America great again in space for real.

Gov. Mike Pence's Speech on NASA and Space Policy

Cocoa Beach, Florida, October 31, 2016

I have to tell you today as I stand here on the Space Coast, it is great to be back.

Because I've got to tell you, I was raised in a generation of kids sitting in front of black and white televisions, watching from afar what you all were living, here in Cocoa Beach.

I'm awful proud to think of the Mercury Program; the Gemini Program; the Apollo program. These are the anthems of my youth. The inspiration not just of America, but of the world.

I'm proud to say Perdue University in Indiana has educated more astronauts than any other university in America. And Gus Grissom grew up in Mitchell, Indiana.

Karen wanted me to point out to you we actually vacationed near Cocoa Beach just to be near it all, before I was ever even elected into Congress. When I was in the Congress of the United States, one of my very first assignments was to serve on the NASA subcommittee, at my request. And our families had the great privilege to be here to see those launches go into space. It's been incredible to me.

And let me tell you something, Donald Trump and I have a plan. To make the American space program great again!

Our space program needs new leadership, and a new vision. And we're going to work with the Chairman of the NASA subcommittee who was just on stage with me, Congressman Brian Babin, and we're going to bring a new vision to America in space.

As Donald Trump has already said, we're going to expand private-public partnerships to make sure we're investing using all the resources of the most powerful nation on earth. We're going to focus the mission of NASA on space exploration. We all know that space is the final frontier. And just as we've always done before, America needs to lead the way on the final frontier!

We cannot afford to fall further behind in space exploration or technology, and the Trump-Pence administration space policy will also strengthen our military space mission and assets, and reorient our civilian space program towards deep space and exploration.

We're going to promote increased cooperation with the commercial space industry. We're going to provide capabilities needed for our nation to maintain constant pressure in low earth and beyond. We can be more efficient. We can be more effective. We can use space dollars wisely. But we're going to do it. We're going to make the investments, and we're going to create a brighter and boundless future for America and a growing economy on the Space Coast for generations.

I'm especially excited about the fact that Donald Trump already announced that we're going to relaunch the National Space Policy Council, headed by the Vice President of the United States of America.

Donald Trump and I are committed to partnering with the space community, working with each one of you in this great and historic place. To renew and reinvigorate our space program. In a word, President Donald Trump will lead America to the stars!

Also read the definitive paper on how President Obama hijacked NASA from space exploration to global warming - by Coalition Director Art Harman.

About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-66031180784300061602016-10-25T18:00:00.003-04:002016-10-25T23:13:16.672-04:00Donald Trump Announced NASA/Space Policy Agenda in Florida

Donald Trump Announced NASA and Space Policy Details

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama share a vision of NASA that takes no giant leaps in space, only small steps, while watching China and others plan prepare for their conquests of space. At stake is our high tech future, great jobs, investments and inventions, as well as national pride and international respect.

Today, in an address to voters in Sanford, Florida, near the famed "Space Coast" where Apollo rocketed our astronauts to the Moon, and where we sent rovers to Mars, amazing space shuttle missions, and built the International Space Station, Trump laid out some details of how he will reverse the Obama-Clinton policies and return America to leading the world in space exploration.

Transcript:

"Under my plan, not only will we modernize our Navy's cruisers, but we'll also invest in the technologies of the future being developed right here in central Florida. My plan also includes major investments in space exploration, also (being developed) right here.

"Over the last eight years, the Obama-Clinton administration has undermined our space program tremendously. That will change. So many things come out from it, including great jobs. And it will change very quickly under a Trump administration. And it will change before it's too late.

"Did you ever see what's going on with space with Russia and different places and us? We're like watching. Isn't that nice. So much is learned from that too.

"As a cornerstone of my policy, we will substantially expand public private partnerships to maximize the amount of investment and funding that is available for space exploration and development.

This means launching and operating major space assets right here that employ thousands, and spur innovation, and fuel economic growth.

"I will free NASA from the restriction of serving primarily as a logistics agency for low earth orbit activity.

"Instead, we will re-purpose its mission on space exploration. Under a Trump administration, Florida and America will lead the way into the stars. With a victory in November, everything will change.

"Just think about what we can accomplish in the first 100 days."
About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-30102334143707119252016-09-02T17:13:00.002-04:002016-09-03T01:28:56.415-04:00 Perseverence Through Failure Brings Success in Space Exploration

Perseverance Past Failures to the Goal

Failure in space exploration is always difficult. It's incredibly expensive, can cost years of delays, is demoralizing to the public and to all involved, and is tragic when astronauts are lost.

But just as with airplane and auto crashes, we must understand the risks and be prepared for them. SpaceX will of course persevere and learn through their loss just as did Orbital, and get back on track, though lost time cannot be made up.

As we prepare to return to manned space missions on American rockets, and hopefully sooner rather than later, build bases on the Moon and Mars, there will be accidents, setbacks and even tragic deaths. The wrong thing to do is give up. The right thing to do is to go forth again with renewed determination.

It's been this way throughout history, and the ancient explorers we remember are those who pushed through failures to the finish line.

One recipe for failure is to build just one of something. Had we only had one Apollo capsule or one space shuttle when Apollo 1, Challenger or Columbia were lost, it is possible national will and bean counters could have kept us from continuing. Thankfully we built many and persevered.

Lunar and Martian exploration must be treated the same:

Expect terrible failures and many smaller losses, and always have more spacecraft and habitats in the works. Prepare the public to expect occasional losses and that we must persevere in such eventualities. And honor those who sacrificed their lives by redoubling our efforts and achieving star-high goals.

Godspeed to SpaceX in getting back to launching--and reusing--rockets and dreams.

Read the latest official updates from SpaceX.
About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-77233099113396959552016-08-11T17:17:00.000-04:002016-08-11T18:10:02.668-04:00Attend the Mars Society's Convention

Mars Society Convention Participants Applaud "The Martian" Author Andy Weir

Register now for the Mars Society's Annual Convention, which will be held in Washington, D.C. September 22-25, 2016.

This is one of the major space advocacy and policy conferences, and is the place to be to learn about how we will get to Mars from top experts. You'll meet space experts and advocates from around the country and world.

Coalition Director Art Harman will be speaking again this year to the convention on several key topics. He spoke to the 2015 Mars Society Convention on the Mars Flyby proposal, the Asteroid Redirect mission, and participated in the space policy panel.

You will not only learn about space policy, but have the opportunity during the convention to visit your Members of Congress in support of a strong space program which will get us to Mars and beyond.

Learn more and register at:
www.marssociety.org/home/conventions/19th-annual-mars-society-convention/About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-11049427078364923262016-07-18T13:51:00.001-04:002016-07-18T14:00:17.152-04:00Apollo 11 Anniversary - Your Thoughts?

Wednesday, July 20 is the 47th anniversary of Apollo 11's landing on the Moon and the historic "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

When you were younger, were did you imagine we would be in space accomplishments on the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing?

Cities and industry on the Moon and Mars? "2001" movie-style space stations with routine shuttles to the Moon?

Where should we be in three years? Ten? Thirty?

How can we recapture the imagination of the public and youth?

 What changes would you advise the next president to do?

Should NASA's budget be doubled (or more) as Neil deGrasse Tyson advocates?

Scrap the Asteroid Redirect Mission? Replace it with a Mars Flyby and a real plan and budget to make the Moon and Mars happen in the 2020s and 2030s?

Continue current plans?

Is it OK to let China capture the "firsts" of a Lunar base and a landing on Mars?

Space is our future and will be what we as a nation and space advocates demand.

 Your thoughts?

About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-60529680133928492322016-01-29T21:53:00.001-05:002016-01-29T22:01:59.831-05:00Join the Citizen Lobbying "Legislative Blitz" for Space, February 21-23Come to Congress and spend a couple days with other space advocates lobbying for the space program!

Join the Space Exploration Alliance's 2016 Legislative Blitz, February 21-23.

You must register by January 31, so act now.

The Coalition participates in the Blitz, and you are invited to join too. Lobbying training is provided, so no experience is needed.

Get more information and register at http://www.exploremars.org/space-exploration-alliance-legislative-blitz-2016 About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-16068345527430619722015-12-31T02:11:00.000-05:002015-12-31T02:11:00.910-05:00Please Donate

Your donation will be greatly appreciated.

Dear space advocate,

2015 was an exciting year with important space accomplishments, including Space X's successful landing of the Falcon 9, amazing images from Pluto, and a greater NASA budget which advances key components for manned space exploration.

Let's look ahead now and help make 2016 the year that a strong space supporter is elected president--no matter who wins.

Here's how: Save Manned Space's non-partisan educational campaign will educate candidates on the immense benefits of remaining the leader in space exploration, and why we must go to the Moon and Mars.

Please donate now to help educate candidates on the space program.

Allowing opponents of the space program in the media and politics to set the agenda could result in a repeat of 2012 where Newt Gingrich was attacked by other candidates and the media for supporting a bold new space program.

The stakes are too high to allow the next administration to be anti-space, uncaring, or content with allowing China and Russia leading the new space race. We can--and must--go to the Moon in the early 2020s, learn how to safely live on another world, and go to Mars in the early--not late 2030s.

Many people, much less politicians and candidates for president, don't understand that the space program returns far more to the economy in new inventions ('spinoffs') than the investment. And that's not counting the job creation, advances in science, inspiration for students to go into STEM careers, and even greater international respect.

Step one for the next president is to cancel the nearly-useless Asteroid Redirect Mission, and replace it with the exciting "Apollo 8 for Mars," the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby, which can be accomplished with hardware already being built and tested--including the mission habitat which NASA will complete in 2018. This should be enacted in early 2017, while the new president formulates the long-range national space strategy which will in fact make NASA's "Journey to Mars" a reality, not just a slogan and hashtag.

Please donate now to help Save Manned Space educate candidates, lobby and conduct educational projects for a bold new space program to take us to the Moon and Mars! Donations are not tax deductible.

Thank you very much for your support.

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More information about the Coalition:
http://www.savemannedspace.com/p/about-coalition.htmlAbout Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-48649511662917733462015-12-30T19:55:00.001-05:002015-12-30T19:55:12.456-05:00Can YOU go to Iowa and New Hampshire to Advance Space Exploration?

The Road to Mars Begins in Iowa and New Hampshire

Are you in, or can you visit Iowa, New Hampshire, or any of the other primary states?

The candidates and their senior staff are there now. They are greeting people in coffee shops and diners, and hosting small forums--and they WANT to talk to you.

Please read the linked article: Given current plans and a lack of strong leadership, NASA might not land Americans on Mars until the late 2030s or even into the 2040s.

However, every accomplishment we strive for in space exploration--landings and bases on the Moon and Mars, and much more all could be accomplished in the 2020s and 2030s. It all depends on leadership and willpower, and what we as space advocates do here and now.

From Mercury to the Apollo 11 landing on the moon took Americans just eight years, and with the amazing advances in technology since the 1960s, we should be able to make progress much faster.

The only reason NASA currently has no plans during the next ten years for deep space exploration other than a single test flight of Orion and the nearly useless Asteroid Redirect Mission is a lack of leadership or desire to lead the world in space exploration. It's not a function of technology.

Here's the vital point: the next president will have the opportunity to put us on track to great accomplishments in space--if the candidates hear from you now.

This is the time to go to Iowa, New Hampshire and the other primary states, and have serious talks with the candidates or their senior staff about why remaining the leader in space exploration is essential to our economy, high tech competitiveness, national security, as well as inspiring students for STEM careers. Why exploring the Moon and Mars will reap great benefits for all Americans. Why space exploration is 'American exceptionalism' defined. And why replacing the Asteroid Redirect Mission with the inspirational and essential 2021 Mars-Venus flyby will put us back on track for a serious space program.

Some candidates might have no position or interest on space exploration, or even feel it is just a waste of funds. They may not understand the great return to our economy and high tech competitiveness. If candidates understand the value, they will confidently out-bid each other in support for the space program, rather than act defensively to ridicule it.

Early primary dates:
February 1:

Iowa Caucuses

February 9:

New Hampshire Primary

February 20:

South Carolina Primary

February 23:

Nevada Democratic Caucuses

March 1:

Alabama Primary

Alaska Republican Caucuses

Arkansas Primary

Colorado Democratic Caucuses

Georgia Primary

Massachusetts Primary

Minnesota Caucuses

North Dakota Republican Caucuses

Oklahoma Primary

Tennessee Primary

Texas Primary

Vermont Primary

Virginia Primary

Wyoming Republican Caucuses

Consult this list of primary dates for the balance of the primary season.

Be aware that talk of humanity becoming a spacefaring species or colonizing Mars will scare away politicians and backfire. That was the lesson from the 2012 campaign, when Newt Gingrich was attacked in the media and by other candidates for talking about a Lunar colony. Keep it realistic and focused on what politicians can accept and what the media can't attack.

Your action can help candidates realize the importance of a strong space program, and help result in a pro-space president, no matter who wins.

We will post specific talking points soon.

Contact us for more information, and let us know of your meetings and results.About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-66938492033251698252015-12-24T03:09:00.000-05:002015-12-24T03:09:33.690-05:00Christmas Greetings from Apollo 8

Forty seven years ago today, on Christmas Eve, 1968, Apollo 8 took man for the first time around the moon. One of the most famous photographs of all time is the "Earthrise" over the moon, shot by William Anders.

Watch the Christmas Greeting from the Moon:
A Reading of Genesis by Apollo 8 Astronauts

As they orbited the moon, the three astronauts, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, took turns reading from the book of Genesis. Watch the above video for their historic broadcast.<o:p></o:p>

From NASA.gov: "We were told that on Christmas Eve we would have the largest audience that had ever listened to a human voice," recalled Borman during 40th anniversary celebrations in 2008. "And the only instructions that we got from NASA was to do something appropriate."

"The first ten verses of Genesis is the foundation of many of the world's religions, not just the Christian religion," added Lovell. "There are more people in other religions than the Christian religion around the world, and so this would be appropriate to that and so that's how it came to pass."<o:p></o:p>

Christmas Greetings from the Moon

Jim Lovell: "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth."<o:p></o:p>

William Anders:<o:p></o:p>

"For all the people on Earth the crew of Apollo 8 has a message we would like to send you".<o:p></o:p>

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."<o:p></o:p>

Jim Lovell:<o:p></o:p>

"And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."<o:p></o:p>

Frank Borman:<o:p></o:p>

"And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good."<o:p></o:p>

Frank Borman: "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you - all of you on the good Earth."

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas from the Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration

Photo and video credits NASA
About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-5318454985208198952015-12-24T02:27:00.000-05:002015-12-24T02:27:17.740-05:00Historic Space X Rocket Landing

Falcon 9 Landing

Space X made history this week with its successful landing of the Falcon 9 first stage after boosting eleven Orbcomm satellites to orbit.

The significance of landing and reusing rockets can not be undervalued. Once the return and reuse of rockets becomes routine and dependable--and critically--as safe and reliable as new rockets, the cost of launches will drop dramatically.

Reusability has always been the 'gold standard' for the ideal rocket. Early designs for the space shuttle offered full reusability, though the 'bean-counters' chose a cheaper hybrid design that in the long run probably cost more per launch. More than 20 years ago, the X-30 National Aerospace Plane was almost built in the 1980's to replace the shuttles with a runway-to-runway reusable spaceplane. The DC-X was another important stepping stone. Blue Origin successfully landed their rocket a few weeks ago, and now Space X brings the light of dawn to reusability.

There may be many great successes and failures to come as the technology gets perfected, but at the end of the rainbow may be reusable rockets as dependable as new ones, as is the case with airplanes.

The stresses of spaceflight and landing may limit the number of times a rocket can be reused--the comparison with airplanes is similar, however the forces are greater and possibility of crashes due to high winds or mechanical failures will be greater for the near future.

Lessons to be learned over the next few years will include the amount of refurbishing necessary to assure a dependable relaunch. With the space shuttles, there was a always great deal of refurbishment, so we should not expect short turnarounds with minimal work. Also, for the near future Space X will be focusing on recovering first stages, and not the second stage.

One day, you might ride on a reused rocket system to orbit, the moon or Mars for a fraction of the price imaginable today. And perhaps one day too disreputable used rocket lots will appear on the wrong side of the tracks, offering worn out 'fixer-uppers' to the handyman astronaut or the uninformed.

Congratulations and best wishes to Space X for the perfect landing, and to all the predecessors who helped pioneer the way.

Watch Space X's great video from launch to landing:

Full Launch and Return

Landing from Helicopter

Photo and video credits: Space X
About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-57470768395518380532015-12-18T22:22:00.001-05:002015-12-18T22:23:48.424-05:00Decision Point: China and Russia are in a Space Race. Should the U.S. Join to Win?

Credit: Chinese space agency

China, Russia, Europe and the United States are all in a space race.

The prizes are not just bragging rights or even who makes the historic 'first steps.' The winners will reap rich rewards in high tech leadership, new inventions, national prosperity and pride, and international respect.

China and perhaps Russia may take advantage of the possible absence of the U.S. and claim the Moon and Mars as their own territories.

Losers will chart a course for irrelevance and retreat in an increasingly technology-centric and militaristic world.

The United States has been absent from the race for almost a decade, but we can lose a race we only pretend to have entered. Under this administration, the plans for returning to the Moon before 2020 were cancelled, as well as the possibility of building the necessary experience to proceed to Mars.

NASA's "Journey to Mars" is at present essentially hashtags and PowerPoints, and the entirety of the next decade as planned by this administration will be spent on just one single crewed mission to Lunar orbit to sample a rock removed from an asteroid--the "Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM). This is not because our capabilities are lacking, but it is entirely due to leadership decisions by the White House.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are building their rockets and making their plans to conquer space.

In the news is Russia's announcement that it intends to build a permanent manned Lunar base, and is already building a robotic lander.

Elements of the Russian plan include:

Launch a Lunar orbiter in 2024 to select a base site.

6 rocket launches containing habitat modules.

Complete construction of the base within a decade (similar timetable to ISS).

Permanently crewed starting in 2030.

Russian deputy premier Dmitry Rogozin outlined Russia's ambitions: "We are coming to the moon forever."

Should Putin decide to devote the resources to establishing Russia as the leader in space, there is nothing to prevent him from building this Lunar base, and given his wars and designs on neighboring countries, perhaps nothing to prevent him from challenging China for ownership claims on the Moon.

The above timetable could be accelerated greatly given determination, perhaps to deny exclusive Chinese dominance of the Moon, or to demoralize and discourage the U.S. from resuming a real space program.

Europe, after begging the NASA Administrator to lead a Lunar base construction program, is going it alone with their "Moon village" concept, perhaps teaming up with Russia and China--leaving the U.S. stuck in orbit for another generation.

Meanwhile, China is proceeding in their race to conquer space, quietly building Apollo-scale infrastructure suitable for an Apollo-scale breakout in the near future. This follows their doctrines of deception and covertly building forces until ready to act. Their moon rocket (Long March 9) looks remarkably like our SLS, and their crew capsule also bears a remarkable resemblance to our Orion and Boeing capsules.

"Conquer" may in fact be the correct word for China's space goals, for if the world is to believe they will not attempt to claim the Moon and eventually Mars, then they are setting a poor example by attempting to seize the South China Sea in violation of 400 years of international law and agreements.

China's space program is run by their military, making any U.S. cooperation impossible and dangerous. Their true budget is secret and could be increased at will to accomplish their objectives. China could land crew on the Moon in the early 2020s if they decide to, for example; and may already have secret plans to do so.

Most Americans who watched the Moon landing would have at that time believed that almost half a century into the future that the U.S. would have thriving Lunar and Martian colonies, and continued reaching for the stars, and that our budget for space exploration would have increased, not been slashed.

The next president will have the opportunity to re-join and lead in the new but very real space race, or to continue the current president's abandonment of our leadership in space.

A space race could be a very good thing for all nations involved. However, if the U.S. ignores the race and fails to provide the leadership and resources to not just compete, but to win; then the race will leave the U.S. behind, to our great national and economic detriment.

All space advocates should use the campaign to reach out to candidates and their staff in support of a new and bold space program which will actually take us back to the Moon and on to Mars.

Let's join the new space race and see Americans once again on the Moon, and soon after on Mars!
About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-1206625540864564122015-11-11T16:42:00.000-05:002016-01-01T16:22:00.708-05:00Mars-Venus Flyby: The First Space Priority for the Next President

The 2021 Mars-Venus Flyby

There is no doubt the next president will set NASA back on track towards sending Americans to the Moon and Mars.

The current administration cancelled without replacement all plans to return to the moon and go to Mars. We lost at least eight years, and gave China and Russia a similar head start. Thankfully, Congress refused to cancel the rocket that can take us to the Moon and Mars, and in the FY 2016 budget has mandated building a transit habitat for long-duration missions such as the Mars-Venus flyby, offering the next administration the ability to get busy with little delay.

In just eight years in the 1960s, we went from Project Mercury to landing on the Moon. In one decade we built the International Space Station. In one decade from today we could have a Lunar base, and in les than two decades a Mars base.

Here's how to get NASA back on track:

On the first day in office, the new president must direct NASA to cancel the "Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), and replace it with the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby. This would be the kickoff mission for a renewed space program which would put us on a real "journey to Mars."

Additional Venus Flyby

The 2021 flyby opportunity is too good to pass up, and it can be accomplished in the given timeframe because most elements are currently in development.

It will be the "Apollo 8" for Mars; that is, it will validate the technologies for missions to Mars in the same way as Apollo 8 proved we could get to and from the Moon before daring to land. As a bonus, the 2021 window offers the rare opportunity to flyby Venus as well.

The flyby mission will take our space exploration program out of "Scrub" and put it into "Launch," and get underway a relatively simple but breathtaking mission which will inspire youth, the general public, as well as Congress and opinion leaders. It will force the development of key technologies for Mars missions a decade or more earlier than would otherwise happen.

The flyby will get us back in space while the administration readies the national space strategy which will take Americans to the Moon and Mars sooner than we have been led to believe is possible.

You can help:

Space experts and advocates should use the next year to talk to the presidential candidates and their senior staff; advocating a return to a bold space program worthy of the United States, and to avoid merely watching as China and Russia seize the lead in space for a generation. Suggest they use the flyby as the replacement for the ARM, and as the immediate goal for NASA while they develop the long range space strategy.

China and perhaps Russia will begin their conquests of the Moon in the early 2020s, and prepare for Mars missions in the 2030s. Given China's increasing threats of war to seize the South China Sea in violation of 400 years of freedom of the seas, we must not assume China will not try to claim the Moon and Mars as their own property.

Restoring America's leadership in space must therefore become a part of the 2016 campaign.

There are different 'selling points' for the space program which will resonate for different candidates. Restoring the legacy of JFK's leadership, creating many new high tech jobs, spin-off advances in green energy and environmental technologies. National security concerns from ceding space to the tyrannies, undoing the damage the current president did to our future as the leader in space, advancing U.S. high tech competitiveness, making America great again, and restoring international respect and national prosperity.

The 2021 Mars-Venus flyby enjoys great support in Congress, with NASA engineers, and among space experts and advocates. It is easier to accomplish, more exciting, and offers far greater returns than the ARM; and will fit into current budget projections.

Replacing the ARM with the flyby is the best possible short-term goal for NASA, and one which will inspire the public and Congress to overwhelmingly support a real return to the Moon in the 2020s and a real journey to Mars in the 2030s.About Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-50760546603557641242015-04-13T13:00:00.000-04:002016-01-01T16:55:43.587-05:00NASA Asteroid Mission is a Detour from the Moon & Mars

Policy Statement

The Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration cannot endorse the NASA Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), for it would be a decade-and-a-half detour from bold and possible missions to the moon and Mars.

NASA scaled back the ARM from redirecting an entire small asteroid to lunar orbit, to only removing a small boulder from an asteroid. The new plan would send an unmanned probe to try to remove the rock from an asteroid in the early 2020s, and if successful, send a manned mission to explore it, perhaps 12-15 years from now.

That's it. The manned deep space exploration effort from now through most of the 2020s would be consumed with preparing for this single manned expedition.

This is not a "shoot for the moon" or "in this decade" type of roadmap like those which took us to the moon in just eight years from President Kennedy's challenge, built the incredible ISS in a decade, launched 135 shuttle missions, and accomplished so much more that awed the world and even improved our health.

ARM is not worthy of the United States, unless it were an additional exercise during a period of building a lunar base, accomplishing the 2021 Mars-Venus Flyby, actively building everything needed for Mars missions, and establishing routine manned access to deep space.

Additionally, the ARM would intrude into what private industries had already been planning. Let's let them do asteroid retrieval and mining, and let NASA concentrate on the giant leaps of pioneering permanent human presences on the moon and Mars.

NASA could and must do far more in the 2020s. The cancelled Constellation Program was designed to start construction of a lunar base starting about 2020. President Bush's greatest mistakes were not making the case to Congress for the proper level of funding, and getting it into space before the end of his term. Had he, we would be ramping up now for American astronauts again landing on the moon before the end of this decade, instead of planning for a single mission of interest in the late 2020s.

However, with early and strong leadership from the next president and sufficient funding from Congress, we can once again set course on bold missions to deep space. The President should send Congress a revised NASA budget suitable for progress towards real lunar and Martian exploration, such as following Neil deGrasse Tyson's call for 1% for space.

America doesn't live in a vacuum, and setting weak and low goals will not stop others from seeking the power, prosperity and glory from becoming the undisputed leader in space.

China is building their SLS-class rocket, the Long March-9 and their Orion-clone capsule, which will be able to take them to the moon and Mars. Count on them to start building their crewed lunar base in the 2020s while we are sill entirely focused on the asteroid boulder.

If China, Russia and perhaps others take all the big "firsts," there will be less desire by the American people and Congress to try to catch up. Our high tech economy will suffer, and space dominated by the tyrannies will become unfriendly for America and commercial ventures.

The next president must immediately issue an executive order to cancel the ARM, and to replace it with the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby, and further direct NASA to develop an 'in this decade' plan and budget to start construction of a permanent crewed Lunar base in the early 2020s, and the Mars landing and exploration in the early 2030s, to be followed by a permanent research base.

Congress' role will be to specify remaining the leader in space exploration is in the national interest, and to authorize the above programs and appropriate sufficient funding. Past efforts often failed because insufficient funds were approved, forcing delays and cutbacks. Those could similarly derail this new space program.

Your role can be to meet or contact presidential candidates, as well as current and prospective Members of Congress in support of restoring our space program to at long last return to the moon, and with lessons learned, make the historic journey to Mars.

The essential components are specific goals and timeframes, deadlines, bold missions which will inspire the American people's support, and sufficient funding to actually bring the dream to reality.

Please call your Senators at 202-224-3121 in support of amending the 2015 NASA Authorization bill to replace the asteroid mission with the 2021 Mars-Venus flyby and a specific roadmap to the moon and Mars. Note: the NASA Authorization has already passed the House.

It really comes down to this: Should Americans be content spending the next 10-15 years on this one small step, or should we set our sights on another giant leap? A giant leap which could take us to the moon in the early 2020s and to Mars in the early 2030s?

If we as space advocates can together unite on these goals, we will be able to most effectively use the next 15 years to advance our goals in deep space exploration.

(Image credits, Pat Rawlings, NASA)
About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-91667949042316747192015-04-13T12:02:00.002-04:002015-04-13T12:24:12.339-04:00Espresso in Space!Grande or Venti?

ISSpresso, the Space Espresso Machine

There's now hope for all spacefaring coffee lovers! Thanks to the Italian Space Agency, Lavazza, and NASA, the Year In Space on the International Space Station will go quicker with the first espresso-maker in space, the "ISSpresso."

Read NASA announcement of the news.

It is true that "today's coffee is tomorrow's coffee" on ISS with advanced water recycling technology, and this will be even more the case on missions to Mars, including the proposed 2021 Mars-Venus flyby.
http://www.fragileoasis.org/blog/2012/2/our-fancy-coffee-machine/

Check out the cool design of the zero-G cups that keeps your cuppa in the cup! It uses a unique capillary effect to do the trick, which is far more preferable than bags of water or coffee. The ISSpresso is designed for bags, but perhaps they'll use these cups for a down-to-earth experience.

Alas, ISSpresso is only an experiment, and is scheduled to be returned to earth in September--unless the crew 'forgets' to put it in the returning spacecraft.

Image Credits: Lavazza and Andrew WollmanAbout Save Manned Space!http://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-12547238807899842212015-03-22T23:52:00.002-04:002015-03-22T23:52:45.479-04:00Save Opportunity & Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter
Please call Congress to save Opportunity and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). They need YOUR support as the President's budget request has zero money for both amazing missions. Opportunity costs just $14 million a year to keep alive and exploring Mars.

Oppy is entering a fascinating area of very old rocks and will be providing incredible new science. She must not be shut down to save a tiny fraction of the budget. The same goes for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter which is also returning valuable science for a few pennies of the NASA budget.

Please call your Senators and Congressman and specify Opportunity and LRO must be specifically included in the budget. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Target members of the Space Subcommittees and Appropriations Committees as well as your own Members.

Read the Planetary Society's excellent analysis, which shows how these two missions passed with high ratings in NASA's Planetary Science Senior Review:
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/casey-dreier/2015/0315-is-opportunity-a-mission-whose-time-has-passed.html

While these small sums do not require cuts elsewhere, were that the case, it would be better to delay or reduce funding for non-----space projects like the expensive new Central Campus and HQ buildings at KSC which will involve demolishing the historic Apollo-era buildings. Save constructing new buildings for a time when we have money to spare.

About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-38030572359093480692015-01-13T00:27:00.001-05:002015-12-04T10:35:03.994-05:00Join the Space Exploration Alliance's Legislative Blitz

You are invited to join the Mars Society, the Planetary Society, the National Space Society, ExploreMars and other major space advocacy groups in participating in the 2015 Space Exploration Alliance Legislative (SEA) Blitz in Washington, D.C. from February 22-24.

 Invite your friends and come join space advocates from around the country to let Congress know that there is strong constituent support for an ambitious space program. You will find this experience to be exciting and rewarding. There will be an information/training session on Sunday, February 22nd, and Congressional visits on Monday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 24th.

 Register Here:
http://www.spaceexplorationalliance.org/blitz/
 More info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/686839654763566/

 If you cannot make it to the event please call your Congressman and Senators on February 23 or 24 and tell them you support space exploration and want space to be a national priority.

Commentary: The Coalition to Save Manned Space Exploration endorses and participates in the SEA Blitz. We encourage every space advocate to take a couple days to go to DC and join the effort to educate Members and staff on the importance of having a bold and growing space program. Space has wide but very shallow support in Congress. Witness the declining (in real dollars) of the NASA budget at the time when China and other nations are dramatically increasing their investments.

Neil deGrasse Tyson has popularized the call for at least 1% for space so we can actually establish bases on the moon and Mars. We should not be content to watch as our budget gets cut and the decisions are which program to cut to spare another, rather than how to best achieve the goals we want and how to accomplish them in years and not decades.

During the SEA Legislative "Blitz," you will have the opportunity to talk to Members of Congress and their staff who are from "non-space" states and districts. They may not be aware of the tremendous benefits the space program has brought to their state or district. As examples; farmers' crop yields rely upon satellite mapping and modern weather forecasts regardless of whether there is space industry in their region, and senior citizens across the country live longer thanks to medical advances developed by the space program. Every state and district therefore really is a "space state and district!"

Beyond the myriad economic, exploration and other direct benefits of the space program, or even our greater goals of colonizing space; there's an often overlooked strategic component: If the US does not continue our historic leadership in space (that means a US human presence on both the moon and Mars), we may well end up with the tyrannies on the world controlling space and denying us access in varying ways.

Space so ruled would be highly unfriendly to commercial space ventures, and if we are to believe China would not exert such control, then they are setting a very poor example in trying to seize the international waters of the South and East China Seas and the islands and territorial waters which belong to other nations in that region.

Space will not automatically remain open to everyone in today's increasingly dangerous world.

About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3083706602281001908.post-42866085865126318482015-01-13T00:15:00.001-05:002015-01-13T00:15:10.155-05:00New NASA Congressional Committee Chairmen
Many of the 114th Congress Committee and Subcommittee Chairmen of interest for NASA and space have now been selected.

Senate: Thad Cochran (R-MS) is the new Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is the Ranking Member.

 John Thune (R-SD) is the new Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Bill Nelson (D-FL) is the Ranking Member. Ted Cruz (R-TX) chairs the Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness.

On the House side, the Appropriations Committee chairman remains Hal Rogers (R-KY) and the Ranking Member is Nita Lowey (D-NY). John Culberson (R-TX) replaces great space advocate Frank Wolf.

Lamar Smith (R-TX) remains the Chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee.
About Save Manned Space!http://email@example.com


text:
Shea Butter Production in the Upper West of Ghana
Women making shea butter in the village of Lyssah in the Upper West region of Ghana. Though incredibly labour-intensive, shea butter production provides an important income stream for many women in the Upper West. The resulting butter is used for cooking as well as skincare.
- Filename
- 20150626_101959_DSCF5374.jpg
- Copyright
- Nyani Quarmyne
- Image Size
- 4896x3264 / 8.1MB
- Contained in galleries

subset: commoncrawl


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San Marcos, CA (PressExposure) February 26, 2009 -- Meridian Pacific Properties announces its new Lease Option program. Meridian's Lease Option program provides investors investment property with tenant-buyers already living in them. With this program, the tenant pays a non-refundable option deposit (the "option consideration") to the investor, signs a two year lease, and has the option of buying the house during the 2 year period for a pre-agreed price, typically at least 10% more than the investor's purchase price. Benefits include:
1.The investor/owner gains a solid tenant. Since the tenant anticipates someday owning the home, vacancy is usually zero. The tenants also see themselves as homeowners, so they typically take much better care of the home. 2.It is likely that rent will always be paid on time. The tenant is working to improve his or her credit so they can buy the home, payment problems will adversely affect their credit and may ultimately prevent them from purchasing the home.
3.Lower property management fees. We've negotiated a 7% property management rate for lease options. Property managers prefer lease option tenants as they are easy to manage and have fewer issues.
4.The tenant pays the first $1000 of any maintenance issue, so the investor's maintenance costs are likely to be zero.
5.The investor has a solid exit strategy: the house, in a sense, is already under contract to sell - in 2 years. The house does not sit idle for months at a time, with no income while the investor tries to sell it thorough traditional channels.
6.The sale price is pre-determined and agreed upon by both parties at the time the option is written, which is typically the full appraised value of the property plus an allowance for reasonable appreciation. Returns are predictable.
7.If the option is exercised by the tenant, the investor is able to sell the house without any real estate sales commission (instead of the typical 6% of the purchase price.) In addition, the investor avoids having the property sit vacant while the home is being marketed for sale while paying holding costs without collecting rent.
8.If the tenant doesn't buy, the investor still benefits. The investor keeps the option consideration, has generally received higher-than-market rents, and the house has likely appreciated. The investor may decide to continue to rent the home and/or extend the lease option (for an additional fee and at a new sales price), or place new lease option tenant in the home. In both cases the cycle continues and the investor benefits.
Lease options are a great alternative for investors looking for shorter term investments, as lease options typically run for two years. Best of all, the projected returns are generally 20% or more annually after accounting for costs associated with principal, interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, property management, and acquisition and sales costs.


text: Mountain Aviation @ Danville Airport is pleased to be hosting the 2nd Annual Community Flea Market. Great food, all day raffles, and fly arounds make this a fun event for bargain hunters and aviation enthusiasts alike. Bring the family and help us make this another successful year. Time to raid Auntie's Attic! Vendors needed for this fun event. We had 25 tables last year and would love to have an even better attendance this year. Economy busting vendor price just $10 per 10 x 20 space, charities please call Joni at the number below for special consideration. Date: June 2nd, 2012 Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rain date: June 9th


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|Pizza Crust
|Features - The Craft of Cooking
|Written by R. Patrick Kent
There's good pizza and there's great pizza but it's hard to find pizza that's outright bad. A pizza crust is a great, versatile platform for so many ingredients: traditional tomato sauce and mozzarella; caramelized onion, roasted red pepper and goat cheese; white sauce and clams...You name it. That's the point. Either as an appetizer or as an entrée, being able to throw a few ingredients together to make a creative pizza is an essential skill.
A few years ago I experimented with pizza crust and landed on this recipe. I think it works well. Consider it a suggestion. Whether you use this recipe or another is not the point. The goal is to wander the farmer's market and know that when you see a gorgeous eggplant, ripe tomatoes, or grass-fed beef, you think, "I could make a great pizza with that." This recipe will make a pizza crust about 12 - 14" in diameter.
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour. 1 cup warm water (not hot, not cold.) 3 Tbsp Olive Oil. 1Tsp Active Yeast. 1 Tsp Kosher Salt. 1 Tsp Sugar.
Stir the sugar into the warm water. Add the yeast, stir gently and let it sit for 10 minutes until the top is foaming. In an electric mixer, measure out the flour and salt. Using the dough hook attachment on a low setting to stir the flour and salt, slowly add 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Let the mixer continue to run and slowly add the yeast-water mixture to the bowl. Let the mixer run until the dough is rolling around the bowl -- if it appears too dry add a 1 - 2 tsp more of water until it forms a ball. Pour 1 - 2 tbsp of olive oil into another large metal or ceramic bowl and "grease" the inside of the bowl - spreading the oil around with your hand or a paper towel. Drizzle a little more olive oil on to the dough and rub it down. Place it in the metal / ceramic bowl. Cover it with a dishtowel and place it somewhere warm to rise for 1 - 2 hours -- it should rise to about 2x it's original size.
When the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle a few more tablespoons of flour on a large cutting board. Turn the dough out onto the board. Sprinkle with a little more flour. Knead gently for a minute or two and then begin shaping it into a pizza. Roll it out or spin it in the air if you are adventurous. Place the shaped pizza crust onto a large non-stick cookie sheet. Add toppings and bake for about 20 minutes or until it looks done.


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When: May 14-16 2009
In 2002, as he toured in the wake of O Brother, Where Art Thou? and its incredibly successful American-roots soundtrack, Dr. Ralph Stanley, who began his musical career in the '40s as the banjo-picking half of the Stanley Brothers, told the Flyer that all this late-life attention had taken him completely by surprise.
"When we were recording for the soundtrack, I didn't have any idea that it would be so successful," Stanley said, beaming with pride. "This old-time music was never put out where people could hear it. It was put out, but not to where millions of listeners could hear it. And when they finally heard it, I think they enjoyed it."
That was quite an understatement. O Brother's popularity reinvigorated the American folk-music scene and shed light into the darker corners of traditional mountain and gospel music. In spite of Stanley's influential banjo style and the Stanley Brothers' haunting minor-key harmonies, Stanley's music had remained just outside the reach of popular audiences, obscured by the looming shadow of bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe. Suddenly, as the millennium turned, Stanley's name became a household word, and he was transformed into the tirelessly touring elder statesman of authentic American music.
Now, at the age of 82, Stanley continues to tour, and he will drop in on the Memphis in May barbecue fest on Friday to sing musical treasures like "O Death," "Little Glass of Wine," and "Nine Pound Hammer."
Chris Davis


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I think if we are entirely honest, we all battle with forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply. It is almost as if we want to hold on to the unforgiveness because they don't really deserve being forgiven..
I have battled this, even recently when a family member hurt my son needlessly by betraying a confidence to him that was totally unnecessary and just hurt him for no reason-and stabbed me in the heart with her words. This particular family member is one I am sure most of you have in your family tree- the thorn in the side who loves to prick you at every opportunity, and who, like a bad smell, keeps reappearing in your life and sucks you dry but who gives nothing in return. Remember, I am talking honestly here... most of us know someone like this..
So how do you put the matter right when you can't bear another prick of the thorns. When their very presence around you is toxic.. ? I have come to understand that forgiveness is necessary at all times. Jesus told us to forgive our brother seven times seventy and to turn the other cheek if it is struck... but after that, what happens to prevent a complete breakdown of the recipient of the thorny pricks? I mean, when seven times seventy becomes seventy times seven thousand and one is bloody and bruised from thorn pricks and turning the other cheek until the jaw is dislocated?
Well, we are still required to forgive. In fact, it is vital for us- for our health, both physical and spiritual.. So, we forgive. Then what? For me, I believe there comes a time when one has to hand the person over to God, and then to pray for them and to love them from afar. We do not have to love them at a close distance, or even to talk to them if it is too painful- and by the time the situation gets to this point, talking is usually painful...
By forgiving them you release yourself from anger that permeates into every aspect of your life and ruins your peace and closeness to God. By giving them to God, you are pleasing Him as you pray for them and do not harbour resentment or ill feeling. I do not see distancing oneself is unbiblical, provided that one has forgiven that person and prays for them...
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Mathew 18:22