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From: [e-mail] (Jon Leech)
Newsgroups: sci.space.tech,sci.space.science,sci.answers,news.answers
Subject: Space FAQ 11/13 - Interest Groups & Publications
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Date: 3 Apr 1994 18:52:10 -0400
Organization: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
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SPACE ACTIVIST/INTEREST/RESEARCH GROUPS AND SPACE PUBLICATIONS

    GROUPS

    AIA -- Aerospace Industry Association. Professional group, with primary
    membership of major aerospace firms. Headquartered in the DC area.
    Acts as the "voice of the aerospace industry" -- and it's opinions
    are usually backed up by reams of analyses and the reputations of
    the firms in AIA.

        1250 I Street NW
        Washington, DC 20005
        (202)-371-8544

    AIAA -- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
    Professional association, with somewhere about 30,000-40,000
    members. 65 local chapters around the country -- largest chapters
    are DC area (3000 members), LA (2100 members), San Francisco (2000
    members), Seattle/NW (1500), Houston (1200) and Orange County
    (1200), plus student chapters. Not a union, but acts to represent
    aviation and space professionals (engineers, managers, financial
    types) nationwide. Holds over 30 conferences a year on space and
    aviation topics publishes technical Journals (Aerospace Journal,
    Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, etc.), technical reference books
    and is _THE_ source on current aerospace state of the art through
    their published papers and proceedings. Also offers continuing
    education classes on aerospace design. Has over 60 technical
    committees, and over 30 committees for industry standards. AIAA acts
    as a professional society -- offers a centralized resume/jobs
    function, provides classes on job search, offers low-cost health and
    life insurance, and lobbies for appropriate legislation (AIAA was
    one of the major organizations pushing for IRAs - Individual
    Retirement Accounts). Very active public policy arm -- works
    directly with the media, congress and government agencies as a
    legislative liaison and clearinghouse for inquiries about aerospace
    technology technical issues. Reasonably non-partisan, in that they
    represent the industry as a whole, and not a single company,
    organization, or viewpoint.

    Membership $70/yr (student memberships are less).

    American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
    The Aerospace Center
    370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW
    Washington, DC 20077-0820
    (202)-646-7400

    AMSAT - develops small satellites (since the 1960s) for a variety of
    uses by amateur radio enthusiasts. Has various publications,
    supplies QuickTrak satellite tracking software for PC/Mac/Amiga etc.

    Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)
    P.O. Box 27
    Washington, DC 20044
    (301)-589-6062

    ASRI (Australian Space Research Institute Ltd, formerly ASERA). An
    Australian non-profit organisation to coordinate, promote, and
    conduct space R&D projects in Australia, involving both Australian
    and international (primarily university) collaborators. Activities
    include the development of sounding rockets, small satellites
    (especially microsatellites), high-altitude research balloons, and
    appropriate payloads. Provides student projects at all levels, and
    is open to any person or organisation interested in participating.
    Publishes a monthly newsletter and a quarterly technical journal.

    Membership $A100 (dual subscription)
    Subscriptions $A25 (newsletter only) $A50 (journal only)

    ASERA Ltd
    PO Box 184
    Ryde, NSW, Australia, 2112
    email: [e-mail]

    BIS - British Interplanetary Society. Probably the oldest pro-space
    group, BIS publishes two excellent journals: _Spaceflight_, covering
    current space activities, and the _Journal of the BIS_, containing
    technical papers on space activities from near-term space probes to
    interstellar missions. BIS has published a design study for an
    interstellar probe called _Daedalus_.

    Membership #38/year (US $69), #26 (US $47) for ages 22 and younger
    or 65 and older. I believe membership includes a subscription to
    either _Spaceflight_ or _JBIS_ (choose one).

    British Interplanetary Society
    27/29 South Lambeth Road
    London SW8 1SZ
    ENGLAND

    CSS - A federally-incorporated non-profit Canadian corporation. Inspired
    by the old L5 Society, its principal objective is to sponsor and
    promote the involvement of Canadians in the development of Space.
    This is intended to allow the group to grow in cooperation, rather
    than in competition, with other space development organizations
    (such as the National Space Society, the Space Studies Institute,
    and the British Interplanetary Society), while meeting a real need
    for an effective Canadian space-development advocacy group.

    CSS holds monthly lecture meetings on space topics at an active
    chapter in Toronto; an Ottawa chapter has been active in the past,
    and Montreal and Vancouver chapters are being worked on. CSS
    publishes a newsletter, ``The Canadian Space Gazette'' and has run
    several space conferences, the largest being the upcoming 1994
    International Space Development Conference (together with the NSS).
    CSS also has participated in several space design projects, most
    notably the development of a preliminary design of a solar sail
    racing spacecraft under the ``Columbus 500'' initiative. Annual dues
    are $25/year ($15/year for full-time students, $100/year for
    corporate members).

    Canadian Space Society
    43 Moregate Crescent
    Bramalea, Ontario
    CANADA L6S 3K9
    Answering Machine: (416)-626-0505
    CSS BBS: (905)-458-5907 (8N1, up to 2400 buad)


    ISECCo - International Space Exploration & Colonization Co. Non-profit
    research and developement organization building, first project is a
    Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). Annual newsletter
    $10/5 years, or write for a complimentary copy.

    ISECCo
    P.O. Box 60885
    Fairbanks, AK 99706
    (907)-457-2674
    [e-mail]


    ISU - International Space University. ISU is a non-profit international
    graduate-level educational institution dedicated to promoting the
    peaceful exploration and development of space through multi-cultural
    and multi-disciplinary space education and research. For further
    information on ISU's summer session program or Permanent Campus
    activities please send messages to '[e-mail]' or
    contact the ISU Executive Offices at:

    International Space University
    955 Massachusetts Avenue 7th Floor
    Cambridge, MA 02139
    (617)-354-1987 (phone)
    (617)-354-7666 (fax)

    L-5 Society (defunct). Founded by Keith and Carolyn Henson in 1975 to
    advocate space colonization. Its major success was in preventing US
    participation in the UN "Moon Treaty" in the late 1970s. Merged with
    the National Space Institute in 1987, forming the National Space
    Society.

    NSC - National Space Club. Open for general membership, but not well
    known at all. Primarily comprised of professionals in aerospace
    industry. Acts as information conduit and social gathering group.
    Active in DC, with a chapter in LA. Monthly meetings with invited
    speakers who are "heavy hitters" in the field. Annual "Outlook on
    Space" conference is _the_ definitive source of data on government
    annual planning for space programs. Cheap membership (approx
    $20/yr).

        [address needed]

    NSS - the National Space Society. NSS is a pro-space group distinguished
    by its network of local chapters. Supports a general agenda of space
    development and man-in-space, including the NASA space station.
    Publishes _Ad Astra_, a monthly glossy magazine, and runs Shuttle
    launch tours and Space Hotline telephone services. A major sponsor
    of the annual space development conference. Associated with
    Spacecause and Spacepac, political lobbying organizations.

    Membership $20 (youth/senior) $35 (regular).

    National Space Society
    Membership Department
    922 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
    Washington, DC 20003-2140
    (202)-543-1900

    Planetary Society - founded by Carl Sagan. The largest space advocacy
    group. Publishes _Planetary Report_, a monthly glossy, and has
    supported SETI hardware development financially. Agenda is primarily
    support of space science, recently amended to include an
    international manned mission to Mars.

    The Planetary Society
    65 North Catalina Avenue
    Pasadena, CA 91106
    (818)-793-5100
    email [e-mail] or [e-mail]

    Membership $35/year (ask about the unadvertised student rate).

    SAS - Space Access Society. Dedicated to promoting affordable, reliable
    access to space. Currently concentrating on supporting the DC-X SSRT
    project; expects to change focus to SSTO-suitable engines, and
    possibly other government X-rocket projects in parallel with and
    complementary to the existing SSRT path.

    Space Access Society
    4855 E Warner Rd #24-150
    Phoenix, AZ 85044
    (602)-431-9283 voice/fax
    [e-mail]

    Membership $30/year, $1000/lifetime; includes email updates. $50 for
    email plus mailed hardcopy ($25 extra outside the US).

    SSI - the Space Studies Institute, founded by Dr. Gerard O'Neill.
    Physicist Freeman Dyson took over the Presidency of SSI after
    O'Neill's death in 1992. Publishes _SSI Update_, a bimonthly
    newsletter describing work-in-progress. Conducts a research program
    including mass-drivers, lunar mining processes and simulants,
    composites from lunar materials, solar power satellites. Runs the
    biennial Princeton Conference on Space Manufacturing.

    Membership $25/year. Senior Associates ($100/year and up) fund most
        SSI research.

    Space Studies Institute
    258 Rosedale Road
    PO Box 82
    Princeton, NJ 08540

    SEDS - Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. Founded in
    1980 at MIT and Princeton. SEDS is a chapter-based pro-space
    organization at high schools and universities around the world.
    Entirely student run. Each chapter is independent and coordinates
    its own local activities. Nationally, SEDS runs a scholarship
    competition, design contests, and holds an annual international
    conference and meeting in late summer.

    Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
    MIT Room W20-445
    77 Massachusetts Avenue
    Cambridge, MA  02139
    (617)-253-8897
    email: [e-mail]

    Dues determined by local chapter.

    SPACECAUSE -  A political lobbying organization and part of the NSS
    Family of Organizations. Publishes a bi-monthly newsletter,
    Spacecause News. Annual dues is $25. Members also receive a discount
    on _The Space Activist's Handbook_. Activities to support pro-space
    legislation include meeting with political leaders and interacting
    with legislative staff. Spacecause primarily operates in the
    legislative process.

    National Office            West Coast Office
    Spacecause            Spacecause
    922 Pennsylvania Ave. SE    3435 Ocean Park Blvd.
    Washington, DC 20003        Suite 201-S
    (202)-543-1900            Santa Monica, CA 90405

    SPACEPAC - A political action committee and part of the NSS Family of
    Organizations. Spacepac researches issues, policies, and candidates.
    Each year, updates _The Space Activist's Handbook_. Current Handbook
    price is $25. While Spacepac does not have a membership, it does
    have regional contacts to coordinate local activity. Spacepac
    primarily operates in the election process, contributing money and
    volunteers to pro-space candidates.

    Spacepac
    922 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
    Washington, DC 20003
    (202)-543-1900

    UK-SEDS - United Kingdom SEDS affiliate (see above). Undertaking a
    number of hardware projects including microsatellites, sounding
    rockets, and a space shuttle Getaway Special experiment. Also
    conducting studies for advanced propulsion systems and probes. Has
    their own magazine, Aurora.

    Contact through the Royal Aeronautical Society (I don't have an
    address for this - ed.)


    UNITED STATES SPACE FOUNDATION - a public, non-profit organization
    supported by member donations and dedicated to promoting
    international education, understanding and support of space. The
    group hosts an annual conference for teachers and others interested
    in education. Other projects include developing lesson plans that
    use space to teach other basic skills such as reading. Publishes
    "Spacewatch," a monthly B&W glossy magazine of USSF events and
    general space news. Annual dues:

        Charter        $50 ($100 first year)
        Individual    $35
        Teacher        $29
        College student $20
        HS/Jr. High    $10
        Elementary     $5
        Founder &     $1000+
            Life Member

    United States Space Foundation
    PO Box 1838
    Colorado Springs, CO 80901
    (719)-550-1000

    WORLD SPACE FOUNDATION - has been designing and building a solar-sail
    spacecraft for longer than any similar group; many JPL employees
    lend their talents to this project. WSF also provides partial
    funding for the Palomar Sky Survey, an extremely successful search
    for near-Earth asteroids. Publishes *Foundation News* and
    *Foundation Astronautics Notebook*, each a quarterly 4-8 page
    newsletter. Contributing Associate, minimum of $15/year (but more
    money always welcome to support projects).

    World Space Foundation
    Post Office Box Y
    South Pasadena, California 91030-1000
    (818)-357-2878


    PUBLICATIONS

    Aerospace Daily (McGraw-Hill)
    Very good coverage of aerospace and space issues. Approx. $1400/yr.

    Air & Space / Smithsonian (bimonthly magazine) - A glossy magazine,
    generally light reading; the emphasis is much more on aviation than
    on space. Contains information about all events at the National Air
    & Space Museum.

    Box 53261
    Boulder, CO 80332-3261
    $18/year US, $24/year international

    Aviation Week & Space Technology - weekly aerospace trade, emphasis on
    aeronautics but usually has several space-related articles. Rates
    depend on whether you're "qualified" or not, which basically means
    whether you look at the ads for cruise missiles out of curiosity, or
    out of genuine commercial or military interest. Best write for a
    "qualification card" and try to get the cheap rate.

    1221 Ave. of the Americas,
    New York NY 10020
    (800)-525-5003 (International [phone])
    $82/year US (qualified)
    About $50 if you qualify for the unadvertised student subscription
        rate - I (Jon Leech) got this rate by begging and pleading to a
        McGraw-Hill representative at the SIGGRAPH '92 conference.

    ESA - The European Space Agency publishes a variety of periodicals,
    generally available free of charge. A document describing them in
    more detail is in the Ames SPACE archive in
    pub/SPACE/FAQ/ESAPublications.

    Final Frontier (mass-market bimonthly magazine) - history, book reviews,
    general-interest articles (e.g. "The 7 Wonders of the Solar System",
    "Everything you always wanted to know about military space
    programs", etc.)

    Final Frontier Publishing Co.
    PO Box 534
    Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7852
    $14.95/year US, $19.95 Canada, $23.95 elsewhere

    Space News (weekly magazine) - covers US civil and military space
    programs. Said to have good political and business but spotty
    technical coverage.

    Space News
    Springfield VA 22159-0500
    (703)-642-7330
    $75/year, student rate ~$49. May have discounts for NSS/SSI members

    Journal of the Astronautical Sciences and Space Times - publications of
    the American Astronautical Society. No details.

    AAS Business Office
    6352 Rolling Mill Place, Suite #102
    Springfield, VA 22152
    (703)-866-0020

    Journal of Practical Applications in Space - published by High Frontier
    Inc, and the Space Transportation Assn. Has addressed such issues as
    solar power satellites, technology and national security, cleaning
    low Earth orbit, ballistic missile defenses, space tourism and space
    propulsion. The journal was the first to publish hard numbers on the
    single-stage-to-orbit concept.

    Authors have included: Mr. G. Harry Stine, Dr. Robert Forward, Mr
    Steve Hoeser, Dr. Klaus Heiss, Dr. Philip Harris, Dr. Buzz Aldrin,
    Dr. Peter Glaser, Jerry Pournelle.

    The journal is a forum for those who use space technology "to
    provide for the common defense and promote general welfare" of our
    country, the Free World, and eventually all mankind.

    Journal of Practical Applications in Space,
    2800 Shirlington Road - Suite 405A
    Arlington, VA 22206
    (703)-671-4111
    (703)-931-6432 (fax)
    $30/year (4 issues) personal, $200/year institutions.
    Foreign add $10/year for airmail.


    GPS World (semi-monthly) - reports on current and new uses of GPS, news
    and analysis of the system and policies affecting it, and technical
    and product issues shaping GPS applications.

    GPS World
    859 Willamette St.
    P.O. Box 10460
    Eugene, OR 97440-2460
    (503)-343-1200

    $59/year US.

    Innovation (Space Technology) -- Free. Published by the NASA Office of
    Advanced Concepts and Technology. A revised version of the NASA
    Office of Commercial Programs newsletter.

    Planetary Encounter - in-depth technical coverage of planetary missions,
    with diagrams, lists of experiments, interviews with people directly
    involved.
    World Spaceflight News - in-depth technical coverage of near-Earth
    spaceflight. Mostly covers the shuttle: payload manifests, activity
    schedules, and post-mission assessment reports for every mission.

    Henry Spencer comments: WSN and PE have recently (mid-92) mutated
    into much more expensive weekly newsletters, filled mostly with
    stuff that's already available to most sci.space readers in
    sci.space.news. There is still interesting content at times, but the
    signal/noise and benefit/cost ratios have deteriorated pretty badly.
    I can no longer recommend them.

    Box 98
    Sewell, NJ 08080
    $30/year US/Canada
    $45/year elsewhere

    Space (bi-monthly magazine)
    British aerospace trade journal. Very good. $75/year.

    Space Calendar (weekly newsletter)

    Space Daily/Space Fax Daily  (newsletter)
    Short (1 paragraph) news notes. Available online for a fee
    (unknown).

    Space Technology Investor/Commercial Space News -- irregular Internet
    column on aspects of commercial space business. Free. Also limited
    fax and paper edition.

        P.O. Box 2452
        Seal Beach, CA 90740-1452.

    All the following are published by:

    Phillips Business Information, Inc.
    7811 Montrose Road
    Potomac, MC 20854

    Aerospace Financial News - $595/year.
    Defense Daily - Very good coverage of space and defense issues.
        $1395/year.
    Space Business News (bi-weekly) - Very good overview of space
        business activities. $497/year.
    Space Exploration Technology (bi-weekly) - $495/year.
    Space Station News (bi-weekly) - $497/year.

    UNDOCUMENTED GROUPS

    Anyone who would care to write up descriptions of the following
    groups (or others not mentioned) for inclusion in the answer is
    encouraged to do so.

    AAS - American Astronautical Society
    Other groups not mentioned above

NEXT: FAQ #12/13 - How to become an astronaut