Dallas Mars Society

Minutes from our May meeting:

There were 6 members in attendance at the meeting.

The meeting opened with a discussion of mars Spirit rover which is currently stuck in soft terrain on mars.  Regular Spirit updates can be found at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s spirit update website at:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_spiritAll.html

The group additionally discussed the Human Space Flight Plans Commitee chaired by Norman Augustine.  As described by NASA at:

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jun/HQ_09-123_Augustine_Review_Members.html

“The panel will examine ongoing and planned NASA development activities
and potential alternatives in order to present options for advancing a safe
innovative, affordable and sustainable human space flight program following
the space shuttle’s retirement.”  The commitee’s results are expected later
this year.

Kurt reported on SMU’s sucessful gifted girls conference held in April. Kurt presented at a break out session during the conference.  Kurt’s presentation was titled “Space Exploration and Mars” and explored human life on mars.

The group additionally discussed the upcoming Mars conference to be held at the University of Maryland on July 30 - Aug 2nd.  More information about the conference can be found at:

http://www.marssociety.org/portal/c/Conventions/2009/

Several members of the group are expecting to attend.  The group expects to sell t-shirts and
hand out brochures at the conference.  T-shirt and brochure designs were discussed during the meeting.

Minutes from our April meeting:

There were 5 members and 2 guests in attendance.  The group welcomed guests Bob and Mitchell.

Curtis and Kris facilitated the meeting as Kurt was unable to attend.

The group discussed the upcoming Mars Society Convention to be held at the University of Maryland on July 30th through August 2nd, 2009.   The Mars Society has arranged lodging in dorms on the campus.  Alternatively, lodging is available at nearby hotels.  More information on the convention and lodging options can be found at the Mars Society national website at:  http://www.marssociety.org/portal/c/Conventions/2009/. 

The group additionally discussed the “Phoenix Mission to Mars’ lecture by John Hoffman, Professor of Physics at the University of Texas at Dallas.  The lecture was part of the University’s Polykarp Kusch Lecture Series and was held on April 13th.  More information on Dr. Hoffman’s research can be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/news/2008/07/18-003.php.

The group expressed ongoing interest in involvement in the Mars Society’s TEMPO^3 project.  The Dallas Mars society is participating as members of the technical team.  Tom Hill, TEMPO^3 project leader, is providing updates on the project every other week on ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tempo-update—the-mars-society.  Past updates are archived at this site.

The group also discussed plans to create a new brochure for the Dallas Mars Society.  Mark conveyed he is happy to put the brochure together and would like some more good words to add to the brochure.  The group discussed plans to hand out the brochure during upcoming events.

Minutes from our March meeting:

There were six members in attendance at the meeting.

The meeting opened with a discussion of DeWitt Perry Middle School’s ‘space station week’ held on March 9-13th. The Dallas Mars Society, the National Space Society (NSS) Dallas chapter and Bent Tree Bible Fellowship collaborated with Perry Middle School to construct exhibits which were displayed for the students in the library of Perry middle school during the space week.  The exhibits included a moc walk-in space station and a moc mars landscape with a remote controlled mars rover.  Construction of the exhibits began in January of 2009 and concluded in March.  Photos of the exhibits have been posted by NSS at the North Texas Space yahoo group.

NSS member Carol Johnson, author Marianne Dyson, and Dallas Mars Society president Kurt Chankaya gave presentations for the kids during the space week..  Carol spoke to the kids from inside the moc space station via teleconference while pretending to be inside the real space station.  The kids asked a lot of great questions about what it’s like to be in space.  Marianne Dyson talked to the kids about living in free fall and included several hands-on demos.  Kurt spoke on a number of topics to include travel to and the exploration of mars and why we need to explore space and mars. The week could hardly have gone better.  The whole team was pleased at the outcome.  The kids appeared inspired and motivated by both the exhibits and the presentations. 

Perry Middle School has applied for a grant to expand on the design of the exhibits next year and hopes to make space station week a yearly event.

Curtis brought a tape of Marianne Dyson’s presentation for the group to watch during the March meeting.  Thank you Curtis for bringing the tape!  The group enjoyed listening to the presentation.

The Dallas Mars Society is also assisting as members of the TEMPO^3 (Tethered Experiment for Mars interplanetary Operations Cubed) technical team.  The objective of TEMPO^3 is to demonstrate the generation of artificial gravity in space using a tether.  More on TEMPO^3 at http://www.marssociety.org/portal/c/TEMPO3.  The TEMPO^3 program is in process of changing scope due to lack of funding.  Updates on TEMPO^3 can found on ustream through project leader Tom Hill’s fireside chat at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tempo-update—the-mars-society.  The Dallas Mars Society looks forward to continuing to contribute as the project evolves. 

Curtis and Kris facilitated the meeting as Kurt was out. The group met at the Outback Steakhouse next door to the Spaghetti Warehouse since tables were full at the Spaghetti Warehouse.

Don reported on treasury - there was no change in the treasury report this month.

Curtis and Kris reported on progress of the development of a moc space station at Perry Middle School which the Dallas Mars Society and NSS are assisting. Construction is progressing well and on schedule for demonstration during space station week at Perry the week of March 9th. Perry is need of foam core for the exhibits and looking for donations.

Mark brought a tape of the Methane on Mars news conference. The group very much enjoyed watching this tape and discussing it after viewing it.

The group additionally discussed creating a new brochure for the Dallas Mars Society. Mark is happy to prepare the brochure and is looking for some good words for the brochure from the group members.

There were 7 members in attendance at the meeting.

Kurt reported that the Mars Science Laboratory planned for launch this year has been rescheduled to 2011 due to technical issues. More on the rover and the change in launch date: JPL NASA

The group also discussed NASA’s announcement on January 15th, 2009 of the determination of the existence of methane in Mars’s atmosphere. The press release can be found at UTA’s website. -Dr. Tyson’s website- The Dallas Mars society is planning to set up a table at this event. Mark and Kurt and are creating flyers to hand out at the table.

Ongoing:

The Dallas Mars Society is working jointly with the National Space Society (NSS) Dallas chapter to build a walk-in space station with a gallery of exhibits in the library of a local middle school. The space station will be open to the students during one week in March. Construction of the space station began on January 24th. Construction of the space station will continue on Sat Feb 7th with final construction to occur in March. The school is expecting to reuse and expand on the space station in coming years. The school is expecting to loan out the space station to other schools throughout the year. NSS has made arrangements for Marianne Dyson, award-winning author and former NASA flight controller, to speak to the students during the space station’s opening week in March.

The Dallas Mars Society is also contributing as members of the technical team supporting the Tethered Experiment for Mars interplanetary Operations Cubed (TEMPO^3) project. A description of the project can be found on the Mars Society webpage at TEMPO3. The purpose of the TEMPO^3 mission is to demonstrate the generation of artificial gravity using a CubeSat satellite. The technical team is planning to develop the preliminary design by end of February. A design review is expected to be held in March. The technical team is still open for volunteers. If you would like to participate, please contact Kurt Chankaya for more info.

JANUARY NEWS

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, NASA announced that a team led by Dr. Michael Mumma of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has conclusively determined the existence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. This discovery could have far reaching implications concerning our understanding of Mars and possibly the nature of life in the universe. Because methane cannot remain in the Martian atmosphere for a long duration of time, methane must be continually replenished. This likely means that Mars either has yet to be discovered volcanic activity or it harbors life below its surface.

In a NASA press release, Dr. Mumma stated “…we do not have enough information to tell whether biology or geology — or both — is producing the methane on Mars, but it does tell us the planet is still alive, at least in a geologic sense. It is as if Mars is challenging us, saying, ‘hey, find out what this means.’ ”

“This discovery is significant whether it is biological or geological in nature,” said Chris Carberry, the Executive Director of The Mars Society. “While we have been building up a significant amount of evidence that Mars is not a dead planet, this evidence strongly supports that theory. The Mars Society sends our wholehearted congratulations to Dr. Mumma and his team for this truly historic discovery.”

“This discovery is of extraordinary importance,” said Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin. “NASA has either found life, or it has found a hydrothermal system which could well support life. It shows that Mars is warm and wet underground, and a place where life could not only have originated in the past, but still persist today. If we are going to know the truth about the place of life in the universe - a question that has held the attention of thinking men and women for centuries- we need to send human explorers to Mars to see what is there.

“The Obama administration is trying to develop a program to stimulate the economy. What better way to do it than by launching another Apollo program, mobilizing the nation’s talent and industry to reach for Mars in the quest for truth.”

Due to Christmas we did not have a meeting in December. There were a few really good shows on TV to keep Mars in the front of our minds. Happy New Year to all!

Minutes for November’s meeting:

Old Business

Kurt reported on his discussions with the TEMPO project lead and asked the members whether there was interest in participating. Several members were interested in technical participation. Kurt requested members who are interested to forward him a brief bio of their qualifications so he can forward to the TEMPO lead to see how we can help out. TEMPO is expecting to complete preliminary design in early February and present at the cubesat conference in April.

Kris reported on the middle school project. The project is expected to consist of a model space station in which students will be able to interact with a “Mars rover” look a like, communicate with students in a “Houston” computer lab via video conferencing equipment, and (hopefully) a Q and A session with a real astronaut. Help needed are people skilled at building sets, skilled or knowledgeable concerning computer technology, skilled or knowledgeable concerning space technology, and eager workers who are just willing to help. Several members expressed interest. An initial planning meeting will be held at the school on Dec 9th. Kris will attend the meeting and report back to the group with more details on how the group can help out.

New Business

The group is planning a trip to tour Space X on Dec 13th. Carol Johnson’s Christmas party is planned for the 14th. NSS will include the Mars society on the party notice.

Thanks to Dan for bringing Mars oriented toys to the meeting. The toys will be given to the NSS toy drive. Thanks also to Dan for bringing a Mars oriented video to the meeting. The whole group enjoyed the video.

This was Mimi and Roger’s last meeting. They will be very much missed. We wish them well on their move, thank them for their invaluable contributions to the group, and look forward to keeping in touch.

Dallas Mars Society, October 2008

Old Business
April sent the treasury a $97 check from t-shirt sales. Kris reported no positive response about monitoring college senior engineering students and indicated she will try a middle school in Carrolton which could be more receptive as they are planning to build a life size space lab. Kurt suggested the group might assist with the satellite Mars Society is doing, though that project is on hold from lack of funds or volunteer to raise funds. We had some general discussion on NASA, the national budget, and prospects for the space program.

New Business and action items

Roger will deposit April’s check. The group voted to give Dan $100 from treasury to buy Mars oriented toys to contribute to NSS local toy drive. Toys need to be presented prior to or at the the Christmas party
at Carol’s in December. Actions: Roger will send Dan a check; Dan
will order toys.

Our group still wants to visit Space X and possibly a rocket launch from
the Dallas Rocket Society. We discussed inviting NSS members. No date
or time was settled. Kurt proposed via e-mail Saturday, 13 December, right before Carol’s Christmas party, as later would be too close to Christmas.

We elected Dan the new treasurer and Kris the new secretary.

I understand the NASA Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is in danger of being cut due to cost overruns. We have already spent $1.5 billion and 4 years on its construction, and now that work is in jeopardy over $300 million. Please note that ever significant accomplishment of our country, including the Apollo missions and the Panama Canal have gone over budget. Allowing the MSL program to lapse would be a tragic waste of taxpayer dollars.

NASA remains relevant to our economy and to science. MSL is not only a significant piece of our scientific exploration of the universe, but the pioneering missions of NASA have inspired me and tens of thousands of Americans to explore careers in science and engineering.

Please find a way to get this program done.

We had 11 people present.  We missed Don, but were happy to see Christopher Carson And Bill Ledbetter.  

Old Business

Kris reported that she had not yet found a University group with which she and Kurt were wanted to work as mentors on an engineering group. She’ll continue to pursue contacts and gather information, possibly will offer the Mars Rover Challenge as a group project.

The group will consider a trip to see a DARS launch and possibly tour Space X.   As planned, Roger reprised his Mars Society Convention talk about making money on Mars by mining platinum group metals.  This was well received: several attendees had interesting questions and comments.

Curtis restated that the group might consider incorporating, registering as a non-profit, or taking other steps to formalize procedures especially regarding the treasury.  Many groups do have formal processes; others simply handle the money as is most convenient.

New Business

The group voted to purchase Zubrin books from Roger who is moving.  He agreed to sell them at cost.

Curtis sold NSS space settlement calendars and announced the group is considering a Thanksgiving weekend event.   Some members will be attending Fen Con next weekend where Mimi and Roger will sell books and some Mars items.  

No one expressed optimism over either Presidential candidate regarding the future of the space program; Obama has some advantages in appearance and speaking manner and the economic disasters may also work to his advantage; some feel McCain would be the more inclined to fund space exploration and expansion.  

Action Items:

Kurt will phone Derek regarding a tour of Space X.  Kelly will research schedule for DARS trip.