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Current
Projects
There is so much to do and
so little time. I have a host of projects that I
am working on or are about to kick off. All of
these projects have a space exploration related
theme. Accomplishing these objectives is a way to
keep the dreams of exploring what lies beyond our
own planet alive for future generations. These
projects will inform, engage, and motivate the
general public to take another look at why space
exploration is important to humankind.
| The Conquest of
Space |
This
blogging effort has always been my
flagship initiative and my
“brand”. The term was used long
before the space race began. Prominent in
several books and early films, the use of
the term faded as the space race heated
up since many thought it implied a
military approach to manned spaceflight.
In the early days, militarizing space
seemed a real possibility, both the U.S.
and Soviet programs drew personnel and
hardware from the military. NASA's
founding as civilian agency meant that
the America would focus, at least
publicly, on the exploration rather than
exploitation of space. That was not
enough to stop the term from fading into
history. I have stuck with
"conquest" since it was never
intended to have a military connotation,
but of humans overcoming the challenges
and harshness of space. In this blog, I
have covered numerous topics, some
opinion, and some documenting little
known aspects of the space program. A few
of the many topics I have covered are the
Apollo-Soyuz Test Program, the close
calls with the Shuttle program that have
largely been overlooked, Nixon’s
lasting and negative influence on the
space program, the sad fate of the X-38
Crew Rescue Vehicle, and many
others.
www.theconquestofspace.com
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| Creating a
Sustainable Manned Space Program |
This is
been an ongoing initiative to start a
dialogue about what the future of human
space exploration should look like. It
appears the general public may or may not
be interested in spending vast amounts of
national treasure on flag planting
missions or “one and done”
missions. The opinions are varied.
Everyone seems to support a space
program, but few seem willing to go to
bat for the program. The key is to create
a human spaceflight program that returns
immediate benefits while sustaining our
need to explore other bodies in the solar
system and beyond. I created this
document several years ago and I have
begun the process to think about a
revised version that I will produce
before the end of 2012. You can find a
version of the original document on
NASA’s website. This was submitted
into the Augustine’s
Commission’s records on the future
of Human Spaceflight.
Creating a Sustainable
Manned Space Flight Program
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| Spaceweek Radio |
The
Spaceweek Radio concept has been
presented to two public broadcasting
stations for review. Expecting to
make an official pitch in the fall. In
the interim, I am up and running with a
site and looking to add some equipment to
begin working solo on this project and
establish a track record. SpaceWeek Radio
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| Space Museum of the
Carolinas |
My
initial proposal for creating for a space
museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The
first presentation was given to the
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
The story of the Carolinas contribution
and participation in the Space Program is
largely untold and is one that would be
of great interest to those that live in
the region. It is also a great way to
engage young minds in engineering and
science! Charlie Duke, the 10th
man to walk on the moon was born in
Charlotte. Susan Helms, the first
Expedition member of the ISS was born in
Charlotte. The Carolinas in total are the
birthplace of 14 astronauts including two
that we killed in the Challenger accident
and two NASA Administrators including
current Administrator Charlie Bolden and
“the man who ran the moon”
James Webb. No museum focusing on
space exploration is within six hours
driving time of Charlotte.
Beginning ths effort is my immediate goal
Visit "The Space Museum
of the Carolinas" site
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| NASA Vintage Video
Project 
|
NASA has
produced over the years numerous programs
that have documented our historic efforts
in space. These “vintage”
documentaries were created shortly after
key missions. Many of these are hard to
find or so rarely shown that most people
have likely never seen these programs.
This effort started when I was watching
NASA TV on a local government
channel. Every now and then one of
these documentaries would show up at odd
times. I went on a quest to track
down as many as I could create a channel
that would make them available in one
place. Many of these films are
fascinating and are like looking at a
time capsule of the golden era of space
exploration. I have located and posted
films on Apollo test missions 4 and 5,
the Photo and Technical Analysis of the
Challenger Accident, Space Shuttle
Economics, and original documentaries on
nearly every Apollo mission. These
films can be found on “The Conquest
of Space” YouTube channel. I am
continuing to locate and post these
interesting and important films. My
immediate goal was to locate them in an
accessible repository, open the time
capsule into our past so that all can
enjoy. The Conquest of Space on
YouTube
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