The Mars Society - San Diego Chapter.
The Mars Society - Join Us!


SAN DIEGO CHAPTER LINKS

TMS-SD NEWS & MESSAGE BOARD


Click to subscribe to
MARS SOCIETY
SAN DIEGO

News & Messages

CALENDAR / UPCOMING EVENTS


Where are the
SAN DIEGO
MARS ROVERS?

MARS
SAN DIEGO
WEB STORE

TMS-SD in the Media

HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES:
2001

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008



MARS SOCIETY LINKS


THE MARS SOCIETY
Main Home Page

MDRS
Season 8
December 2008-
April 2009

FMARS 2009
Now Prepping
for July 2009!

EURO-MARS
Preps for Krafla Iceland
after Refurbishment in England

MARS-OZ
Readies for
Arkaroola in the
Australian Outback

Chapter Council

Other Chapters

University Rover Challenge

Mars Society
Political Action
Taskforce



to find blue hope
just scratch
the red surface

-- Bettina Davis
May 2002


OTHER LINKS

SUGGESTED READING

THE MARS
MOVIE GUIDE


Paper Model Kit of FMARS/MDRS Habitat by Mike Hungerford

Alliance for Space
(AllSpace)
San Diego

Archimedes
Mars Balloon

Astrocamp

Bad Astronomy

Benson Space Company

Ray Bradbury Online
-author-

California Space Authority (CSA)

CalSpace-California Space Institute

China National Space Administration (CNSA)

Chronicling Mars: The 2008 Eaton Conference

Comic-Con International Convention

ConDor Sci-Fi Convention

Conjecture Sci-Fi Convention


DART
San Diego's
Model Rocketry Club

ESA - Mars Express
-Mars Orbiter-

Explore Mars Now

Geology of Mars

Google's Mars Map

HiRISE/MRO
-Mars Orbiter-

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

- JPL -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Killer Pizza
From Mars

Korolev RSC Energia - Martian Mission

Lego Mars Exploration Rover

Maestro Headquarters
-MER Software-

Malin Space Science Systems
- Mars Orbital Cameras -

Astronomer
Dennis Mammana

Mars General Store

Mars Daily

Mars Direct-Manned Mars Mission

MarsDrive Consortium

Mars Homestead Project

MarsNews.com

MarsToday.com

NASA Human Exploration of Mars

NASA Centennial Challenges Program

NASA/JPL Mars Exploration

NASA/JPL
-Mars Exploration Rovers (MER)-

Spirit & Opportunity Rovers

NASA/JPL
-Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)-

-Mars Orbiter-

NASA/JPL
-Phoenix Mars Mission-

-Mars Lander-


National Space Society

Orbit 6 - Space Technology and Fiction


Orange County Space Society

Organization for the Advancement of Space Industrialization and Settlement - OASIS

Palomar Observatory

ESA/Russian Mars Mission

The Planetary Society

Project ASTRO
San Diego

Radio Free Mars

Kim Stanley Robinson
-author-

Red Colony.com

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA)

Sally Ride
Science Festivals


San Diego Air & Space Museum


San Diego Astronomy Association

San Diego
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Meetup Group


San Diego Science Festival


San Diego
Space Society

San Diego
Vintage Sci-Fi

Film Group

SpaceShipOne

SETI@HOME - Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

SoCal
Science Cafe

Space.com

Space Daily

SpaceDev

Spacefest
San Diego 2009

Space Frontier Foundation

SpaceRef

Students For The Exploration and Development of Space - SEDS

Tales of the Heliosphere-blog

THEMIS
Thermal Emmission
Imaging System
MARS 2001 ODYSSEY

-Daily Mars Orbital Photos-

The-Planet-Mars.com

"To Touch The Stars" Music CD

Univelt Inc.
AAA Publishers

Unreal Science
& Math

X Prize Foundation

Yuri's Night
World Space Party


THE MARS SOCIETY - SAN DIEGO
(TMS-SD) CHAPTER

"The Earth is the Cradle of Mankind,
but one does not live in the cradle forever."

-- Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, 1895


CALENDAR / UPCOMING EVENTS: 2009

- MAY 2009 -


Thursday thru
Sunday
April 30 to
May 3, 2009
Long before the invention of aircraft, automobiles and submarines, 19th century author Jules Verne described those modes of transportation in dozens of novels and short stories. The author of those tales of extraordinary voyages will be the focus of Extraordinary Voyages: Jules Verne and Beyond: The 2009 Eaton Conference, presented by the UCR Libraries' Eaton Science Fiction Collection and the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in coordination with the North American Jules Verne Society.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
May 2, 2009
Celebrate the 2009 International Year of Astronomy at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's annual Astronomy Day! You can embark on their annual "Walk Through the Solar System," take a walk on the moon with Mar Vista Middle School students and The Astronaut Teacher Alliance, take a 3-D tour of the latest images from NASA, sun gaze with the San Diego Astronomy Association on the Prado, enter a drawing to win prizes, join a simulated mission to Mars in the Nierman Challenger Learning Center, and much more.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
& Sunday
May 2-3, 2009
The 2009 Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Open House in Pasadena, CA: This popular event celebrates JPL's accomplishments with exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory's ongoing research and space exploration. Many of the Lab's scientists and engineers are on hand to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets, how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how researchers are searching for planets beyond the solar system. Admission and parking is free -- a fun and educational experience for children with special hands-on activities.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Wednesday
May 6, 2009
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) will host their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The setup is at 6:30pm, and the event runs from dark past 9:00pm (weather permitting).

It coincides with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members will be there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Friday
May 8, 2009
The GENERAL MEETING of TMS-SD will NOT be held this month. The next scheduled meeting will be the summer barbecue party in June.


Saturday
May 9, 2009
The San Diego Air & Space Museum hosts its 6th Annual Space Day celebration, featuring demonstrations, giveaways, and hands-on activities with local and national space experts. Invited Presenters include NASA, San Diego Space Society, Virgin Galactic, San Diego Astronomy Association, JPL, The Mars Society-San Diego, Sally Ride Science, SETI, UCSD EarthKAM, The Planetary Society, SPAWAR, Space Port Academy , OSSE (Organization to Support Space Exploration) and many others.

As an extra bonus, we'll be offering a FREE screening of the new space documentary "Orphans of Apollo", followed by a Q&A session with the director, Michael Potter.

The Museum's Space Galleries are open for viewing throughout the event, including the flown Apollo 9 spacecraft, moon rocks and space suits. Special $3-Off Admission Coupon -- Kids 11 and under FREE with paid adult admission.

TMS-SD will participate with our interactive display table, our simulated Mars surface excursion suit, the San Diego Mars Exploration Rovers and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.

Sunday
May 10, 2009
Fiesta Island's Over-the-Line field in Mission Bay hosts a Model Rocket Launch event by the Diego Area Rocket Team (D.A.R.T.), from 10:00am to noon.

No "official" TMS-SD participation is planned for this event, but members may be there to fly their own rockets.


Sunday
May 10, 2009
The San Diego Space Society will NOT hold their monthly general meeting at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library this month.


Monday
May 11, 2009
The San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas will make a Mars Rover Run and Mars Exploration lecture at the Jamul Intermediate School at 9:00am to 1:00pm for Ms. Frey's 4th and 5th grade classes in conjunction with the San Diego Space Society.


Friday
May 15, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "MISSION MARS" (1968)

Three American astronauts who land on Mars discover the body of a frozen Russian cosmonaut and a mysterious talking orb.

Also, a Mars-themed episode of the Disney cartoon series "Phineas and Ferb" (2009).

Showtime is at 7:00pm at Studio 106 -- please RSVP as seating is limited. We'll provide the popcorn -- you can bring drinks or snacks to share.


Saturday
May 16, 2009
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park features Family Science Days from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. It is free with paid Science Center admission. Participate in hands-on activities designed for children and adults to work together to complement our interactive exhibits. Explore the fun and fascinating side of science! Come to our science table and make a free science experiment that you can take home with you!

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
May 16, 2009
Join the San Diego Vintage Sci-Fi film group for a screening of a vintage SF (film and TV) of the '30's through early '60's -- This was the age of damsels in distress, pocket-change special effects, and those fabulous rubber monster suits. Showtime is 7:00pm. Featured film is "Queen of Outer Space" (1958).


Sunday
May 17, 2009
The Orange County Space Society meets at the Irvine Heritage Park Library in Irvine, CA starting at 3:00pm.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Monday
May 18, 2009
The 40th Anniversary of the launch of Apollo 10 -- the fourth manned mission in the Apollo program. The mission included the second crew to orbit the Moon (Thomas P. Stafford-Commander, John W. Young-Command Module Pilot, and Eugene A. Cernan-Lunar Module Pilot) and an all-up test of the lunar module (LM) in lunar orbit. The LM came to within 8.4 nautical miles (15.6 km) of the lunar surface during practice maneuvers. Mission duration was 8 days 00 hours 03 minutes 23 seconds.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
May 23, 2009
Fiesta Island's Over-the-Line field in Mission Bay hosts a Model Rocket Launch event by the Diego Area Rocket Team (D.A.R.T.), from 8:00am to 2:00pm. NOTE: This will be a Special Rocketry Contest event.

No "official" TMS-SD participation is planned for this event, but members may be there to fly their own rockets.


Saturday
May 23, 2009
"To The Stars" is the title of a lecture by author Francis French at the Oceanside Public Library's Civic Center Library, in the Community Room at 3:00pm. Do you ever wonder what's out there in space? Join us to hear Francis Fench from the San Diego Air & Space Museum who will be talking about early spaceflight! We'll also be making eatable Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiters and talk about current flights to the moon!

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Thursday
thru Saturday
May 28-30, 2009
The Mars Society's University Rover Challenge (URC) 2009 is a competition for college students to design and build the next generation of Mars rovers that will work alongside astronauts in the field. Teams square off every June at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) near Hanksville, Utah.

Thursday
thru Sunday
May 28-31, 2009
The 2009 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) is the annual conference for the National Space Society and has grown into the largest public space conference of the year. It is a national gathering for space-interested leaders and citizens to connect, re-energize and make plans for the future. It is a national gathering for space-interested leaders and citizens to connect, re-energize and make plans for the future. It is held in Orlando, FL this year.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
May 31, 2009
The San Diego Space Society and TMS-SD meet at Studio 106 at 12:00 noon for a combined Project Build Day, followed by a SDSpace Board of Director's meeting at 3:00pm.


- JUNE 2009 -


Monday
June 1, 2009
TMS-SD will participate in the "The Learning Choice (TLC) Academy's Science Festival "Inventors and Inventions" at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park starting at 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

TMS-SD members will be there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table, our Mars Surface Simulation Spacesuit and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Wednesday
June 3, 2009
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) will host their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The setup is at 6:30pm, and the event runs from dark past 9:00pm (weather permitting).

It coincides with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members will be there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Friday
June 12, 2009
The GENERAL MEETING of TMS-SD will be an informal summer barbecue celebrating our chapter's 9th year of operation. We'll meet at the home of Gerry Williams in the Hillcrest/University Heights area beginning at 7:00pm.

B.Y.O. meat to barbecue, drink and a dish to share.

Please RSVP no later than June 11th.


Saturday
June 13, 2009
The "San Diego Air & Space Museum's Family Day" offers building activities, take-home projects, and hands on learning about favorite topics for adults and kids to explore together -- fun for the whole family!

SPECIAL EVENT: SALLY RIDE, America's First Woman In Space - Talk & Book Signing

Join us for a talk and book signing by Dr. Sally Ride, America's First Woman In Space, as she leads you through her personal exploration of our fragile home planet. Begins at 1:00pm in the Education Center. Free with paid museum admission.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
June 14, 2009
The San Diego Space Society holds their monthly general meeting from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library.

NOTE: This program meeting will be on "Advanced Space Propulsion Concepts" by Greg Meholic from the the Aerospace Corporation.

Meholic will present a multimedia talk on advanced space propulsion concepts for interstellar travel, including nuclear rockets, faster-than-light travel, quantum drives, wormholes, and some really exciting physics.


Friday
June 19, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "E.Y.E.S. OF MARS" (1993)

A Japanese/French anime: A young boy and girl attempt to save a human civilization on Mars before what remains of the planet's ecosystem is destroyed.

Also, an episode of "DUCK DODGERS" (2003-2005).

Showtime is at 7:00pm at Studio 106 -- please RSVP as seating is limited. We'll provide the popcorn -- you can bring drinks or snacks to share.


Saturday
June 20, 2009
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park features Family Science Days from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. It is free with paid Science Center admission. Participate in hands-on activities designed for children and adults to work together to complement our interactive exhibits. Explore the fun and fascinating side of science! Come to our science table and make a free science experiment that you can take home with you!

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
June 20, 2009
Join the San Diego Vintage Sci-Fi film group for a screening of a vintage SF (film and TV) of the '30's through early '60's -- This was the age of damsels in distress, pocket-change special effects, and those fabulous rubber monster suits. Showtime is 7:00pm.

Main Feature: EARTH vs. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956, USA) "A scientist, Dr. Russell Marvin, discovers that UFOs are responsible for the destruction of a series of exploratory space rockets launched by his space exploration project. The saucers' helmeted pilots land on Earth and deliver an ultimatum to humanity: fealty or complete annihilation." This is the "colorized" version by special effects master Ray Harryhausen.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
June 21, 2009
The Orange County Space Society meets at the Irvine Heritage Park Library in Irvine, CA starting at 2:00pm, featuring "AstroJeopardy" event.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
June 28, 2009
The San Diego Space Society and TMS-SD meet at Studio 106 at 12:00 noon for a combined Project Build Day, followed by a SDSpace Board of Director's meeting at 3:00pm.



- JULY 2009 -


Wednesday
July 1, 2009
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) will host their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The setup is at 6:30pm, and the event runs from dark past 9:00pm (weather permitting).

It coincides with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members will be there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Friday
July 10, 2009
The GENERAL MEETING of TMS-SD will NOT be held this month. The next scheduled meeting will be a special program meeting in September.


Saturday
July 11, 2009
The "San Diego Air & Space Museum's Family Day" offers building activities, take-home projects, and hands on learning about favorite topics for adults and kids to explore together -- fun for the whole family!

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
July 12, 2009
The San Diego Space Society holds their monthly general meeting from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library.


Friday
July 17, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE X FROM OUTER SPACE" (1967)

The spaceship AAB-Gamma is dispatched from FAFC headquarters in Japan to make a landing on the planet Mars and investigate reports of UFOs in the area. As they near the red planet, they encounter a mysterious UFO that coats the ship's hull with unusual spores. Taking one of the specimens back to earth, it soon develops and grows into a giant chicken-lizard-alien monster that tramples Japan.

Also, an episode of "DUCK DODGERS" (2003-2005).

Showtime is at 7:00pm at Studio 106 -- please RSVP as seating is limited. We'll provide the popcorn -- you can bring drinks or snacks to share.


Saturday
July 18, 2009
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park features Family Science Days from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. It is free with paid Science Center admission. Participate in hands-on activities designed for children and adults to work together to complement our interactive exhibits. Explore the fun and fascinating side of science! Come to our science table and make a free science experiment that you can take home with you!

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Saturday
July 18, 2009
Join the San Diego Vintage Sci-Fi film group for a screening of a vintage SF (film and TV) of the '30's through early '60's -- This was the age of damsels in distress, pocket-change special effects, and those fabulous rubber monster suits. Showtime is 7:00pm. Films and location to be determined.


Sunday
July 19, 2009
The Orange County Space Society meets at the Irvine Heritage Park Library in Irvine, CA starting at 3:00pm.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Monday
July 20, 2009
The 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The Apollo 11 mission was the fifth human spaceflight of Project Apollo and the third human voyage to the Moon. It was also the second all-veteran crew in manned spaceflight history. Launched on July 16, 1969, it carried Commander Neil Alden Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Eugene 'Buzz' Aldrin, Jr.

On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to land on the Moon, while Collins orbited above. The mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 1960s, which he expressed during a speech given before a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Monday thru
Friday
July 20 to
24, 2009
Come explore Mars at the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Aerosummer 2009 Summer Camp Space Adventures: From the Chinese "fire arrows" to the International Space Station, students learn about the people and spacecraft that have made space exploration possible. They also apply space science by building and launching their own model rockets at beautiful Fiesta Island. For children in Grades 5-6.

No TMS-SD participation is planned for this event.


Sunday
July 26, 2009
The San Diego Space Society and TMS-SD meet at Studio 106 at 12:00 noon for a combined Project Build Day, followed by a SDSpace Board of Director's meeting at 3:00pm.


Monday thru
Friday
July 27 to
31, 2009
Come explore Mars at the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Aerosummer 2009 Summer Camp Destination Mars: Learn the history of our fascination with the Red Planet, build a Martian colony and a Martian lander, search for life, and build and launch an aquarocket. For children in Grades 3-4.

TMS-SD will participate several times during this event with multimedia presentations, our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.





HISTORY & NEWS: 2009

- APRIL 2009 -


April 26, 2009
The San Diego Space Society and TMS-SD met for a combined Project Build Day.


April 26, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station concluded its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the departure of MDRS Crew #81. MDRS will host the 2009 University Rover Challenge on May 28-30th 2009, and will reopen for the 9th Field Season in December of this year.


April 17, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "MARTIAN CHILD" (2007)


April 15, 2009
The San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas made a 2-hour Mars Rover Run and Mars Exploration lecture at the Warren-Walker School for Ms. Pashkow's 5th and 6th grade classes.


April 11, 2006

Yuri's Night World Space Party celebrates the anniversary of the first human in space, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. TMS-SD celebrated this event locally with the San Diego Space Society, and other groups at the Killer Pizza From Mars in Oceanside, CA. Special guest speakers included Virgin Galactic space agent Scott Borden, author Francis French from the San Diego Air & Space Museum, and astronomer Rica Sirbaugh French from MiraCosta College.


April 11, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station wraps up its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #81 for a two week mission. TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


Saturday
April 4, 2009
The San Diego Science Expo Day was the grand finale of a month of science at Balboa Park from 10:30am to 6:00pm. There were over 200 different organizations creating over 300 different hands-on activities. TMS-SD members were there with our interactive display table, our simulated Mars Surface Excursion Suit, the San Diego Mars Exploration Rovers and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas operating in a Mars Yard.



- MARCH 2009 -


March 28, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #80 for a two week mission. TMS-SD member Maria Catalina was be commander of this mission! TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


March 20, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE ALPHA INCIDENT" (1977)


March 14, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #79 from Georgia Tech for a two week mission. TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


March 13, 2009
The GENERAL MEETING of TMS-SD was an informal dinner meeting celebrating our chapter's 9th year of operation at the Acapulco Restaurant in Old Town San Diego


March 10, 2009
Count Down to Blast Off! R U going 2 Mars? Discover facts about space technology with NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador and TMS-SD member Maria Catalina, Commander of The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) Crew 80. At the San Marcos Branch Library


March 4, 2009
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- FEBRUARY 2009 -


February 28, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #78 for a two week mission. TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


February 28, 2008
TMSD-SD members participated in the Expanding Your Horizons Conference for 6th to 10th grade girls at USD.


February 27 to
March 1, 2009
TMS-SD members participated in the ConDor XVI Sci-Fi Convention at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley with our interactive display table, as well as provide several programming events:

"2008 Phoenix Mission to Mars" - The Phoenix Mars Mission touched down in the north polar region on Mars last year for an extended five month mission. We'll take a look at how this Mars Lander explored the Red Planet for signs of water and the building blocks of possible life. With TMS-SD member Gerry Williams.

"The Mars Society - Not Your Every Day Pro-Space Advocacy Organization" - The Mars Society currently operates two Mars Analog Research Stations on planet Earth where professional and amateur space explorers, scientists, and engineers learn how to live, work, and survive on the surface of the Red Planet, paving the way for a time when human beings regain the courage to boldly go where no one has gone before. TMS-SD member Gerry Williams presents an inside view of what the Mars Society is all about.

"What If There IS Life on Mars?" - A pannel discussion with James Hay, Lynn Maudlin, and TMS-SD members David Rankin and Gerry Williams.


February 20, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "DAS HIMMELSKIBET" aka "A TRIP TO MARS" (1917)


February 19-21, 2009
Spacefest 2009, the largest gathering of pioneer astronauts in the area, as well as some of the most compelling, charismatic and expert astronomy speakers on the planet. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing by Apollo 11 in 1969, and also Apollo 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 12 successfully flew that year. Spacefest 2009 was held at the Town and Country resort in Mission Valley. TMS-SD members participated, along with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


February 15, 2009

Thanks to TMS-SD member Joel Brinton who now works as an avionics engineer at SpaceX, TMS-SD and San Diego Space Society members have been offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the SpaceX facility in Hawthorne CA to see the Falcon 9 rocket in development.


February 14, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #77 from the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Euro/Geo/Mars" Team 2 for a two week mission. TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


February 8, 2009
The San Diego Space Society held their monthly general meeting. TMS-SD members presented a multimedia look at the five active spacecraft at Mars.


February 4, 2009
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- JANUARY 2009 -


January 31, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #76 from the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Euro/Geo/Mars" Team 1 for a two week mission. TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


January 24, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of a prep crew from the European Space Agency (ESA) for a one week preparation mission for upcoming MDRS Crews #76 and #77, "Euro/Geo/Mars". TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.


January 21, 2009
The San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas will make a 2-hour Mars Rover Run at the La Jolla Elementary School at 10:45am for Ms. Akiyama's 3rd Grade class.


January 16, 2009
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "GHIDORAH: THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER" (1964)


January 10, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew #75 from Toronto, Canada for a two week rotation.


January 3, 2009
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of another NASA Spaceward Bound student Crew #74 for a one week rotation.

TMS-SD members provided Mission Support services.





HISTORY & NEWS: 2008

- DECEMBER 2008 -


December 27, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 8th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of a NASA Spaceward Bound student Crew #73 for a one week rotation.

TMS-SD members provided Mission Support.


December 19, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- THE FLAMING LIPS: "CHRISTMAS ON MARS" (2008)


December 14, 2008
The San Diego Space Society held their monthly general meeting at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library. TMS-SD member Gerry Williams will hosted a multimedia presentation, "A Wake for the Mars Phoenix Lander".


December 6, 2008
"Reach for the Stars" at the Sally Ride Science Festival at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus.

TMS-SD participated with our interactive display table, our simulated Mars surface excursion suit, the San Diego Mars Exploration Rovers and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas. TMS-SD members also presented at several of the workshops.

December 5, 2008
MARS SOLAR CONJUNCTION: Mars was directly behind the sun from the Earth. Mars conjunction happens roughly every two Earth years (26 months) when Mars is very close (within five degrees) to the sun in the sky. This time Mars conjunction runs from November 18 to December 24. The five active Mars spacecraft (and the scientists and engineers who operate them) got a five-week break from the daily grind of operations. The two Rovers still observed passively but not roving. The three orbiters hibernated until contact with Earth was restablished.


- NOVEMBER 2008 -


November 21, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "WOJNA SWIATOW - NASTEPNE STULECIE" aka "WAR OF THE WORLDS - NEXT CENTURY" (1981)


November 5, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) will hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


November 2, 2008
The 2008 Space VidVision Contest featured a video produced by TMS-SD and San Diego Space Society members -- it was awarded an Honorable Mention. The video can be seen here.


November 2, 2008

The Phoenix Mars Mission sent its last signal from the north polar regions of Mars after operating for more than five months on the surface. As anticipated, seasonal decline in sunshine at the robot's arctic landing site is no longer providing enough sunlight for the solar arrays to collect the power necessary to charge the batteries that operate the lander's instruments.

Check out the Phoenix - A Tribute video.


- OCTOBER 2008 -


October 17, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE NIGHT THAT PANICKED AMERICA" (1975), and the History Channel documentary "UFO FILES: BEYOND THE WAR OF THE WORLDS" (2005)


October 12, 2008
The San Diego Space Society held their monthly meeting at the Serra Mesa-Kearney Mesa Branch Library. TMS-SD member Gerry Williams provided a multimedia presentation update on the six active spacecraft at Mars.


October 9, 2008
In conjunction with World Space Week, TMS-SD members -- along with the San Diego Mars Rovers -- provided a Mars Exploration lecture and Mars Rover Run at the Pine Valley Academy in the Clubhouse at Pine Valley from 10:00am to Noon.


October 5, 2008
World Space Week San Diego Kickoff: The San Diego Space Society and the San Diego Space Development Alliance (including The Mars Soceity - San Diego held a meet'n'learn get-together at the "San Diego Air & Space Museum'" in Balboa Park. We started World Space Week off right by hosting astronomers, historians, aerospace engineers, students, and space enthusiasts of all ages. The theme for this year's event was the Hubble Space Telescope.


October 1, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- SEPTEMBER 2008 -


September 26-28,
2008
TMS-SD participated in the Conjecture 2008 Sci-Fi Convention in Mission Valley with our interactive display table, as well as several programming events:

Friday, 8:00pm: "MARS IN THE MOVIES". Since 1910, when Thomas Alva Edison filmed "A Trip to Mars", the red planet Mars has been a favorite topic of over 120 feature films. Filmmaker Gerry Williams, creator of the MarsMovieGuide.com, took us on a 2-hour multimedia tour of some of the best (as well as the worst) movies about Mars ever made.

Saturay, 10:00am: "THE MARS SOCIETY -- NOT YOUR EVERY DAY PRO-SPACE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION": The Mars Society currently operates two Mars Analog Research Stations on planet Earth where professional and amateur space explorers, scientists, and engineers learn how to live, work, and survive on the surface of the Red Planet, paving the way for a time when human beings regain the courage to boldly go where no one has gone before. TMS-SD members presented an inside view of what the Mars Society is all about.


September 19, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "ALIEN CARGO" (1999).


September 13, 2008
TMS-SD members, along with the San Diego Mars Rovers, provided a Mars Exploration lecture and Mars Rover Run at the La Mesa Branch Library in La Mesa.


September 12, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was a multimedia debriefing of local members who attended the Eleventh Annual Mars Society Convention which took place at the University of Colorado, Boulder Campus in August.


September 6, 2008
To kick off the school year, celebrate the end of NASA's 50th Anniversary, get a jump on the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and promote our own monthly Science Saturday Program, the Carlsbad City Library held a "Super Science Saturday" event from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Library on Dove Lane in Carlsbad.

TMS-SD members were presenting two multimedia lectures, "A Close Look at Mars", and "Invasion from Earth: The Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet" . We also brought our interactive display table and three San Diego Mars Rover replicas.


- AUGUST 2008 -


August 22, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT presented DOUBLE FEATURE -- Asylum's "H.G. WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS" (2005) and "WAR OF THE WORLDS 2: THE NEXT WAVE" (2008).


August 16, 2008
Project ASTRO is a national program of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, to improve science education in grades 3-9, by creating partnerships between scientists and the schools in their communities. Through multiple classroom visits and hands-on, inquiry-based astronomy and space-themed activities, teacher and students get to know their own "classroom scientist" as a resource and a mentor. The 2008 Project ASTRO Teacher/Astronomer Workshop was a great success. TMS-SD members were there as presenter and for outreach activities with our interactive display table along with the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


August 14-17, 2008
The Eleventh Annual Mars Society Convention took place at the University of Colorado, Boulder Campus with hundreds of experts and enthusiasts who support human and robotic exploration of Mars.

The International Mars Society convention presented a unique opportunity for those interested in Mars to come together to discuss all aspects of Mars exploration and settlement. Highlights of the convention included the latest results from the Phoenix Mars Lander, Spirit, Opportunity, Mars Express, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions now exploring the Red Planet. In addition, there were updates on the Hubble Space Telescope and Cassini-Huygens mission. There were extensive reports on such Mars Society projects as the seventh season of the Mars Desert Research Station, the second annual University Rover Challenge, the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station, the Archimedes Balloon Project. Members of The Mars Society also voteed among finalist presentations in the Mars Project Challenge to help choose The Mars Society's next big project. TMS-SD members were scheduled presenters.


August 8, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was CANCELLED for this month.


August 6, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members were be there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


August 1-3, 2008
The inaugural Julian Starfest, brought to you by the three local astronomers in association with the Julian Merchants Association and the Julian Chamber of Commerce, was held at Menghini Winery. Proceeds from the event will be used to build an observatory for the Julian Union High School District.

TMS-SD members were there on Saturday as speaker and for public outreach activities with our interactive display table along with the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- JULY 2008 -


July 30, 2008
TMS-SD members, along with the San Diego Mars Rovers, provided a Mars Exploration lecture and outreach for two classes at the Elementary Institute of Science.

July 18, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "AVENGER" (2003).


July 15, 2008
TMS-SD members, along with the San Diego Mars Rovers, will provide a 2-hour Mars Exploration lecture and outreach at the Santa Sophia Academy in Spring Valley.


July 13, 2008
The San Diego Space Society held their monthly meeting at the Serra Mesa-Kearney Mesa Branch Library. TMS-SD member Gerry Williams provided a multimedia presentation update on the six active spacecraft at Mars.


July 11, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was our annual Summer Barbecue Event, hosted by TMS-SD member Jesse Clark


July 7-11, 2008
The San Diego Air & Space Museum's Aerosummer SUMMER CAMPS 2008 in Balboa Park presented Destination Mars for Grades 3-4. Come explore Mars with us! Learn the history of our fascination with the Red Planet, learn how to drive a rover on Mars, search for life, and build and launch an aquarocket. TMS-SD members were on-hand for multimedia presentations: "A Close Look at Mars", and "Invasion from Earth: The Robotic Exploration of Mars". We brought our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Wednesday
July 2, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- JUNE 2008 -


June 28, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "ROCKETSHIP X-M" (1950)


June 13, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was CANCELLED for this month.


June 8, 2008
The San Diego Space Society held their monthly meeting starting at 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Serra Mesa-Kearney Mesa Branch Library.

TMS-SD member Gerry Williams gave a multimedia presentation on the Phoenix Mars Mission, which has been on the surface of Mars for two weeks now.


June 5 to 7, 2008
Mars Society's UNIVERSITY ROVER CHALLENGE: The Challenge: For the second year, teams of university students designed and built the next generation of Mars rovers. The teams and their rovers faced off at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah.


June 4, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.
Sorry - RAINED OUT!



- MAY 2008 -
May 31, 2008
TMS-SD members went to the San Diego County Library El Cajon Branch in El Cajon, CA from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 28, 2008
TMS-SD members went to Pacifica Private School in Rancho Santa Fe, CA from 10:00am to 12:00 noon for classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 25, 2008
The Phoenix Mars Mission touched down in the north polar region of Mars at about 4:53pm PDT. TMS-SD hosted a Phoenix Landing Party for this event.


May 23, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "ESCAPE FROM MARS" (1999).


May 20, 2008
TMS-SD members went to the TIP Academy in Encinitas, CA from 3:00pm to 4:30pm for classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 19, 2008
TMS-SD members went to the Encinitas Community Center in Encinitas, CA from 3:30pm to 4:45pm for classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 16-18, 2008
UC Riverside was host to Chronicling Mars: The 2008 Eaton Conference, including the first ever Eaton Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science Fiction; Academic papers and panel discussions; Student Science Fiction short story contest; Science Fiction Poetry Association poetry reading; and TMS-SD member Gerry Williams presenting Mars in the Movies. Special Guest: Ray Bradbury. TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our our interactive display table, our Mars Surface Excursion Suit, the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 10, 2008
The "San Diego Air & Space Museum's Family Day" was their 5th Annual Space Day Celebration, offering representatives from space organizations & local industry, hands-on activities, and special events. This is a great for all ages to engage in kid-friendly hands on activities while you meet local aerospace professionals. Held in the Pavilion of Flight from 10am till 2pm. Former NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd, the first commander of the International Space Station, will give a dramatic multimedia presentation about his journey into space and experiences living and working there.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities from 10:00am to 3:00pm, with our our interactive display table, our Mars Surface Excursion Suit, the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 9, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD this month was a Special Program Meeting on the Phoenix Mars Mission, slated to touch down on Mars on May 25th. We'll screen videos of Phoenix's launch and landing overview; a DVD from the Phoenix Mission office; a video tour of the Phoenix Science Operations Center (SOC), the Payload Interoperability Test bed (PIT), and their hands-on Mars exhibits; a NASA Phoenix Mars lander update and more.


May 8, 2008
TMS-SD members will be going to the Westwood Elementary School in Rancho Bernardo CA from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for their Family Science Night with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 2, 2008
TMS-SD members will be going to the Bressi Ranch Clubhouse in Carlsbad, CA from 5:00pm to 6:30pm for classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


May 1, 2008
TMS-SD members will be going to the Calavera Hills Community Center in Carlsbad, CA from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- APRIL 2008 -
April 29, 2008
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at UCSD presented Anousheh Ansari, the first female private citizen to travel to the International Space Station. Ansari is the fourth overall space tourist, and the Ansari family was the title sponsor for the Ansari X-Prize, won in 2004 by entrepreneur Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


April 28, 2008
TMS-SD members went to the Encinitas Country Day School in Encinitas, CA for first grade classroom activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


April 26, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station ended its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the departure of Crew 71 from Hungary. MDRS will reopen for Field Season #8 in November or December 2008.


April 25, 2008
TMS-SD members went to the Carrillo Elementary School in Carlsbad, CA classroom activities as part of the Unreal Science & Math (outrageously fun learning!) program with our interactive display and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


April 18, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "CARTOONS FROM MARS"


April 12, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 71 from Hungary, for a two week adventure on Analog Mars.

TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


April 12, 2006

Yuri's Night World Space Party celebrated the anniversary of the first human in space, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. TMS-SD celebrated this event locally with the San Diego Space Society, the UCSD Students for the Exploration and Development (SEDS) chapter, and other groups at the Killer Pizza From Mars in Oceanside, CA.

Special guest speakers at the San Diego YURI'S NIGHT WORLD SPACE PARTY included:

FRANCIS FRENCH: a San Diego-based book and magazine author specializing in space flight history. He is currently the Director of Education at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and was a former Educations Program Coordinator at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Director of Events for Sally Ride Science. He is also coauthor of two award-winning books on astronauts and space exploration: "In The Shadow of the Moon" and "Into That Silent Sea". French gave a multimedia presentation about cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

SCOTT BORDEN: an Accredited Space Agent for Virgin Galactic, is the source in San Diego for information and reservations on Sir Richard Branson's private space venture. The first vehicle rollout is just months away, with commercial operations on target to begin in late 2009/early 2010. Borden, who holds reservation #552 aboard VSS Enterprise, hosted a multimedia presentation about Virgin Galactic, the world's first private spaceline.


April 12, 2008
TMSD-SD members participated in the Expanding Your Horizons Conference for 6th to 10th grade girls at USD.

TMS-SD member Maria Catalina was there with the San Diego Mars Rover and gave three workshops entitled, "Reach for the Stars - And for Mars".


April 2, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


- MARCH 2008 -
March 29, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 70, for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


March 21, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES" (1979)

March 15, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 69 from Georgia Tech, for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


Friday
March 14, 2008
The next REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was held at Studio 106. Meeting report will be published soon.


Wednesday
March 5, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) will host their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincides with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center at 7:00pm.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replicas.


Saturday
March 1, 2008
TMS-SD member and JPL Solar System Ambassador Maria Catalina gave a presnetation at the Adelante Mujer Conference at Rancho Del Rey Middle School called "Reach for the Stars and for Mars".


Saturday
March 1, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continues its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 68, "FLAME: Family Living Analysis on Mars Expedition", for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


- FEBRUARY 2008 -
February 29 to March 2, 2008TMS-SD participated in the ConDor XV Sci-Fi Convention at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley with our interactive display table, as well as several programming events, including:

"A Close Look at Mars": Outside of Earth herself, Mars is the most Earth-like planet in our solar system. But what does that really mean? What are the current conditions on the red planet? Is there air, water and other necessities for life? Could human beings eventually colonize there and make a second home for human civilization? We'll take a multimedia look at what our robotic explorers are telling us about what the planet Mars is really like.

"Postcards from the Future": An epic 38-minute motion picture that explores our future in space - seen through the eyes of an engineer working to build a base on the moon, Mars and beyond, who occasionally sends video postcards back to his wife on Earth.


February 26, 2008 "Colonizing the Moon and Mars: How? When?" by Dr. Bruce Cordell of Fullerton College's Natural Sciences Division at Fullerton College as part of The Future Exploration Series of lectures. TMS-SD supported this event with our interactive display table, our Mars Surface Excursion Suit, the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replica.


February 16, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 67, "Expedition Epsilon", for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


February 15, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE MARS DAYBREAK" (2004)


February 8, 2008
The REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was a dinner meeting at China Max Seafood Restaurant.


February 6, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replica.


February 4, 2008
Dr. Philip Blanco presented "Exploring Mars", a look at how technology is helping scientists unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, part of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's ongoing "Afternoon Scholars" lecture series, held on Senior Monday. TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replica.


February 2, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 66, "Expedition Delta", for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team again this season.


- JANUARY 2008 -
January 30, 2008TMS-SD member Maria Catalina coordinated a star party event called MARS VISTA at Mar Vista Middle School in the Sweetwater Union High School District. TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover, plus our Mars Sojourner Rover replica.


January 24, 2008The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity touched down halfway around Mars from Spirit at 9:05pm PST on this date in 2004 and has been working on the Red Planet ever since, having driven over 7.2 miles from her landing site -- Happy Anniversary, Opportunity!


January 19, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 65 for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team.


January 18, 2008
TMS-SD MARS MOVIE NIGHT -- "THE DAY MARS INVADED EARTH" (1962)


January 14, 2008TMS-SD took the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replica out for a Mars Rover Run with Tierrasanta Girl Scout Brownie Troop #3278.


January 11, 2008
The next REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING of TMS-SD was held from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at Studio 106. Meeting report will be published soon.


January 5, 2008
The Mars Society's MDRS - Mars Desert Research Station continued its 7th Field Season in the Utah Desert near Capitol Reef National Park with the arrival of Crew 64 for a two week adventure on Analog Mars. TMS-SD members were part of the MDRS Mission Support team.


January 3, 2008The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit touched down on Mars at 8:35pm PST on this date in 2004 and has been working on the Red Planet ever since, having driven over 4.6 miles from her landing site -- Happy Anniversary, Spirit!


January 2, 2008
The San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA) hosted their "STARS IN THE PARK" public telescope viewing event outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.

It coincided with "THE SKY TONIGHT" Planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

TMS-SD members were there for public outreach activities with our interactive display table and the San Diego Mars Rover and our Mars Sojourner Rover replica.




HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2008
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2007
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2006
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2005
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2004
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2003
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2002
HISTORY & NEWS ARCHIVES: 2001

CALENDAR / UPCOMING EVENTS: 2008




Please e-mail us at: The Mars Society - San Diego (TMS-SD)


Media inquiries, please contact:

Gerry Williams at 619.723.3456


Requests concerning this Web site should be directed to the Webmaster.


Hit Counters
Hit Counters