After much discussion

• We need accurate descriptions of each aspect of our mission:
  • Low hanging fruit = “open design” and “mature technology” shoud be easy
  • What do we mean by “spacefaring society”?
  • “Sustainable Leadership” needs some additional discussion and definition
• In order to keep momentum of making progress and in the spirit of “just enough” we need to conduct a small fundraising campaign aimed at friends and family.  We’re not quite ready to “go viral” or open an integrated online fundraising campaign just yet.
• Again to keep the momentum going, we must start implementing the actions identified last year during out strategic planning.

This interesting article in the IEEE Spectrum Magazine.  As the amount of automation increases does the world become a better place?  This article relates a few of the mishaps that were caused by the over-reliance on software.  Statistically speaking, however, these stories are the extreme outliers when considering the millions of passengers that travel on planes, trains, and ships annually.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/software/automated-to-death/0

What level of complexity is required to mandate the use of software logic and automation?  These questions are some of the issues that will need to be discussed in the future.  This is especially the case when considering human “safety of flight” concerns.

Because it works.  The tech may be sci-fi but the leadership and organizational development lessons are real and apply to the work we do every day.

http://www.associationsubcultureblog.com/2009/12/where-no-association-ha…

So, I have been thinking about the second item listed in our specific objectives and purposes in our Bylaws, namely:

(b) Promote development of a spacefaring culture by sponsoring activities that inspire the public to embrace the possibility of life beyond Earth

and how that relates to engaging our various constituencies.  Specifically, I have been wondering how can we engage with the enthusiasts (both fans of science fiction and of space flight programs), professionals (engineers, policy makers, etc), and other members of the space exploration community (astronauts, legislators, etc).  One thought I have had is a conference/convention, but most of the ones I have attended are either strictly technical, or strictly fan oriented (though I will be the first to admit I have been to only a handful of the events listed at the link).

What would be cool is if there was a conference that really split the line down the middle, having engaging content for fans, amateur engineers, professionals, and explorers all at the same site and at the same time.  Kind of an Origins for Space.  Origins is a Gaming Convention that includes official product launches, professional meetings for members of the gaming industry, and lots of opportunities for gamers to get together, play games, and meet the people who make the games.  Of the handful of events I have attended, only one that I can recall blurs the line (ISPCS) between technical conference and community engagement.  But it is small (a few hundred people) and is really aimed at allowing industry members to get together face to face.  Participation by enthusiasts is an added bonus more than a goal.

Not that we don’t already have enough to do, but at some point, I think it would behoove us to either find this kind of blended event, or if nothing like it exists, create it.  It would allow us to cross pollenate our constituencies, and hopefully help them see each other as allies and not unrelated groups.  It might also help us build up a core of dedicated community members (I know Maureen, Andy, Bekah and I are so dedicated to attending Origins that we plan for it a year in advance, committing to next year’s hotel room before this year’s convention has even started).  Finally, it would make a great place to hold our version of the state of the industry address.

Yes.  What are you going to do to help?

What I’m doing to help

I’ll answer first.  I’m reading everything I can find about building on-line communities, and working in consensus models so when we reach people (like you) who want to be a part of something cool they will want to join us 🙂

I’d also like to note that I have an MFA–not an engineering degree.  Don’t pass up working with Mach 30 just because you aren’t an engineer.  We’ve got projects for everyone.

Count me in – J. Simmons

I am actively researching how to use open source methods in engineering and just what it takes to go from expendable rockets to reusable launch vehicles.  “Ad astra per civitas”