*Okay, they're not "pundits," but they are my favorite charity. It kills me
that they've been storming the cosmos all this time out of some beat-up
Arts and Crafts house in Pasadena.
Dear Member:
Happy New Year!
The beginning of a new year gives us a fresh slate to fill as we enter a time of both transition and hope. Change is afoot in the world, including in how nations embark on the adventure of space exploration. The Planetary Society will help to chart that voyage to the future.
The future holds uncertainty for us all; space exploration is no exception. The world economic situation is critical, as is the increasingly noticeable effects and looming implications of global climate change. These are challenges that the nations of the world must meet together, and they have the potential to foster greater international cooperation.
Creating a global perspective is one of the chief benefits of space exploration, as we are reminded this month by the 40th anniversary of the iconic “Earthrise” picture taken by Apollo 8 as it orbited the Moon in 1968. The International Space Station, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is another example of an engineering and political achievement that united several nations in the peaceful pursuit of exploration. (((Great, so let's see grumpy, sword-rattling India and Pakistan collaborate on a giant Moon rocket... oh wait, no. Forget that.)))
From The Planetary Society’s inception in 1980, a global perspective has been our hallmark. We reaffirmed that outlook this past year with our new Roadmap to Space. Its number one recommendation is to “Establish a global space exploration partnership.”
Earlier this month, NASA and ESA announced their intention to re-cast Mars exploration as an international venture. We hope that 2009 and the decade that follows will find the world united even more in a coordinated journey to other worlds. (((It's European Space all the way as space exploration becomes the world's newest heritage industry!)))
Wrapping Up a Successful Year
2008 has been a year of achievements for The Planetary Society.
In November, we presented our Roadmap to Space to the Obama transition team that is organizing the new U.S. Administration’s plans for NASA, and our roadmap has generated intense interest in both space circles and the media. The Roadmap was the result of a nine-month process of examining the Vision for Space Exploration, beginning with a workshop of experts at Stanford University and followed by a series of Town Hall meetings in the U.S. and abroad.
In May, we landed the first library on Mars on board the Phoenix spacecraft. In it were the hopes and dreams of science fiction writers and astronomical artists, as well as of our members who sent this gift to the future explorers of Mars. Our message from Earth, Visions of Mars, landed with the spacecraft near the Martian north pole, bringing with it the works of Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and the names of all Planetary Society members. We are grateful to NASA, JPL, and the University of Arizona Phoenix lander team for carrying this first library to Mars. (((Yeah, and now you can nick right over the Mars and check out one of those library Asimov books.)))
Throughout 2008, The Planetary Society stepped up our efforts in support of Earth observations from space. We joined the Alliance for Earth Observations, devoted an entire issue of The Planetary Report to Planet Earth, and in 2009, we will focus more publications and activities on this vital subject.
In February, we announced the winners of our Apophis Mission Design competition. The resulting worldwide attention demonstrated to the media and the public of the dangers posed by near-Earth objects (NEOs). We also continued to support both amateur and professional astronomers engaged in the search for and tracking of NEOs through our Gene Shoemaker grants. (((If one of those giant asteroids was about to paste us, that would likely clarify the popular mind about these finance issues.)))
The International Lunar Decade that we proposed is off to a great start. Japan, China, and India all sent successful spacecraft to lunar orbit. The space agencies are now working on a plan for an International Lunar Net as the next stage, with new lunar landers planned for the coming decade. (((Okay, if you don't like the idea of an "International Lunar Net," I don't even want to talk to you. You know what would be really cool? A *blog* on the International Lunar Net.)))
Looking Ahead to a Year of Change
The Planetary Society has more remarkable plans for 2009 and for the next decade. We’re dedicated to continuing the work we have been doing sinceour inception – influencing the world's space programs, funding cutting-edge projects, inspiring the public to play an the world’s space programs, funding cutting-edge projects, inspiring the public to play an active role space exploration. We are also making bold changes to enable us to do more. (((Like hiring a human proofreader so we don't have to "fund cutting edge projects" twice in our promotional material.)))
In 2009, our Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment (LIFE) will be prepared for launch aboard Russia’s Phobos-Grunt mission. ((("Phobos-Grunt" is just so awesomely Space-Russian that it's got me feeling all atompunk.))) Our experiment will test if microbes can survive a long journey between worlds.
We will continue to support the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence with radio observations in Argentina and with optical observations in Harvard, Massachusetts. These dedicated searches are unique. And, thanks to support from our members, we’ll be able to provide much needed upgrades to both SETI efforts. (((Maybe we can actually contact somebody through SETI and see if we can get 'em to front our planet some cash through a sovereign wealth fund.)))
We have more to do with our Roadmap to Space. In early 2009, we intend to present our plan for space exploration to the U.S. Congress. Soon we will announce a new advocacy campaign about the widespread public support for space exploration – both human and robotic exploration.
And, we remain committed to launching the first flight with light on a solar sail. We are considering new options and hope to soon commit to a new flight.
In the next year, you can also expect the Society to take on new activities with extra-solar planets missions, missions to a near-Earth asteroid, and in support for a flagship mission to the outer planets. We will continue to lead by seeding new exploration and advocating great missions. (((And I'll continue funding it, because I've belonged to the Planetary Society ever since they founded it.)))
The Society, like the United States, is undergoing a transition in leadership: Planetary scientist Jim Bell agreed to serve as our new President, and he will bring the energy and dedication to our organization that he demonstrated as leader for the Mars Exploration Rovers pan-cam team. Neil deGrasse Tyson, while stepping down as President, renewed his commitment to The Planetary Society and continues to serve on our Board of Directors. And, of course, our well-known Vice-President, Bill Nye the Science Guy, will stay actively involved in all we do.
We will also be changing our address. The Society’s headquarters in Pasadena—which you, our members, helped purchase—has been an incredible investment. However, maintaining our aging 1903 craftsman house (((!))) requires far more repairs and upkeep than we want to commit from Society funding. We have decided to sell the building now, while our property is still worth three times more than we paid for it, (((great idea))) and because it is an advantageous time to acquire new space for our headquarters. After we relocate, we will reinvest the proceeds from the house to build new Society programs to help us advance our mission: new projects to further exploration, new ways to build a space interest community, and new initiatives to aid in our understanding our planet and about our place in the cosmos.
Space exploration creates a positive future for our generation and for our children’s generation – and The Planetary Society helps create space exploration. 2009 will indeed be a time of change, both difficult and exhilarating. Global challenges will create global opportunities. With our Members behind us, The Planetary Society remains committed to investing in the future. We need your support now more than ever as we change and grow. Thank you for your support and for your part in making space exploration happen.
The future beckons, and we are so grateful you are with us on this remarkable journey.
Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
