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                    - To Explore and Settle the New World
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Update: October 2, 2005

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, October 29, 4:00-6:00 pm

         Author, Aerospace Engineer, and Space Activist Tom Hill will present the second in our Fall series of lectures examining NASA's implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration.  Tom will be looking at NASA's return to flight, and specifically at the results of Discovery's mission. 

Saturday, November 19, 4:00-6:00 pm

      Mars Society of New York President Ed Fisher will present the final part of our Fall lecture series, examining NASA's plans for returning to the Moon and the creation of the CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle)

Venues for the October and November Lectures to be announced soon.


In January 2004, President Bush gave NASA something it has lacked for a generation: a purpose and a direction.  That purpose is to put human explorers on Mars.  The plan calls for first returning the Space Shuttle to flight and completing the International Space Station; then returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent presence there;  and finally landing human explorers on Mars.  We support this goal; but to succeed, it must be properly planned, organized and managed.  The Mars Society of New York is sponsoring a series of three lectures this Fall to examine and analyze various aspects of this new direction, and its chances for success.


MSNY Meeting Wednesday, September 28

Paul Contursi and Tom Olson, founders of the Colonyfund.com, founding members of the Mars Society, and long time space activists,  presented their analysis of the role of private enterprise in the President's new Vision for Space Exploration, and in space exploration generally.  Starting with an inspiring vision of a multi-planetary human society, they looked at the regulatory and tax structures needed from government, as well as the good business practices required by space start-ups, that can help propel private enterprise into space.  They made the point that only the presence of people in space who are there to make a living will advance us from being mere visitors in space, to a real multi-planet society.  While there are some real positive steps happening, both from government and the private sector, much more needs to be done for private enterprise to become a key component of a space-faring civilization.

MSNY Meeting Saturday, May 14
 
The Mars Society of New York will be holding its first public meeting in over two years on Saturday, May 14, from 1:30-3:00pm, at the Epiphany Branch of the New York Public Library (228 E. 23rd St. near Second Ave. take the #6 train to 23rd St and walk 2-1/2 blocks east.  The library is fully accessible).  The meeting is free and open to the public. The agenda will include an introduction (or re-introduction) of the Mars Society since we’ve been quiet for a while, as well as upcoming events, the status of current missions, and a look at what’s happening in space policy regarding Mars exploration.  There will be plenty of time to bring up any Mars-related subjects you’re interested in, so come on out and join the action! 
 
 
America’s Future in Space a Great Success!
On Saturday April 2, the MSNY joined with other local space interest groups and individuals as part of the Allies in Space coalition to present Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s illustrated talk on America’s Future in Space.  Nearly 200 people were treated to Dr. Tyson’s engaging and energetic “town hall meeting” approach to the subject.  Dr. Tyson graciously re-arranged his schedule to stay nearly 90 minutes longer than allotted to answer questions and engage the audience in a wide-ranging discussion.  Harold Egeln of the New York Space Society-NSSNYC has written a detailed report of the event at http://community-2.webtv.net/AstroEcologist/SPACESHIPGAIA/page9.html for anyone who missed out.  And last but definitely not least, special thanks to MSNY volunteers Sarai Batchelder and Nick Perrino for helping out as ushers and ticket takers at the event.
 
 
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, June 18, MSNY President Ed Fisher will present a talk on the Mars Analog Research Stations to the New York Chapter of the National Space Society.  The Mars Analog Research Stations are the flagship projects of the International Mars Society, as we seek to better define the questions, challenges, and potential solutions to enable effective human exploration of Mars.  This illustrated talk will be free and open to the public.  Stay tuned for exact time and location.
 
And of course, in August there is the Eighth International Conference of the Mars Society, August 11-14, at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  There is an incredible amount of new information about Mars, as well as plenty of action on the political front; we’ll cover it all at the conference.  It’s a great way to meet some of the principal figures in Mars exploration today and to get involved yourself, so log on to www.marssociety.org to register.  Discounted Early-Bird rates end on May 31, so sign up now!

Mars Society Speakers Available


One of the most important activities of the Mars Society is to reach out to the public to provide information and inspiration about Mars and what we hope to be Humanity's future there.  We do this by speaking to a variety of audiences on topics related to the human exploration and settlement of Mars.  In the past we have made presentations to students, professional societies, and others.  If you would like to have a Mars Society speaker visit your professional association, alumni organization, trade union or other organization, contact us today at MarsNY@optonline.net.

 

 

 

Update: March 8, 2005

Mars Society of New York
Mobilizing the world's greatest city behind humanity's greatest endeavor.

America's Future in Space

The Mars Society of New York is very pleased to announce that we are co-sponsoring an important talk by Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Director of hte Hayden Planetarium.  Dr. Tyson, one of the nine commissioners appointed by President Bush to advise on ways to fulfill his new vision for space exploration, will present his illustrated talk on

Saturday, April 2, 2005, 12:00N to 2:00 pm

At the American Museum of Natural History, Kaufman Theater 

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and it's sure to be full, so reserve your tickets now by sending an email to AlliesInSpace@aol.com.  Be sure to include your name, email address, daytime phone, mailing address, and number of tickets.

 

Help Kick Our Educational Efforts into High Gear

One of the most rewarding aspects of being involved with the Mars Society is the opportunity to talk to students. In the past, our outreach events at such institutions as the Bronx High School of Science, the Riverdale Country School, Brooklyn Polytechnic University, Queen Anne Space Camp, and Manhattan College have all been very successful.

Moving forward, we plan to greatly expand our educational efforts. With well over a million students in New York City’s public and private schools, it is our intention to reach as many of these young people as possible. In doing so, we will stimulate interest in science, math and engineering. At the same time, we will play a role in training the planetary explorers of tomorrow.

Ultimately, we would like to have a Mars Society education team in each of the city’s five boroughs.  If you have an interest in speaking, teaching, writing grant proposals or preparing materials please let me know by contacting me at MarsNY@optonline.net .

Donations and Corporate Sponsorships

The Mars Society of New York, Inc., is an independent not-for-profit (501(c)3) corporation which functions as the Metropolitan New York area chapter of the International Mars Society.  In addition to supporting Mars Society programs such as the analog research stations, we engage in outreach activities to schools, other groups, and the general public.  Sadly, none of this is free.  Printing, postage, and meeting and presentation spaces all cost money.  

Your financial support can make a difference. To make a tax-deductible donation, write your check to the Mars Society of New York, Inc. and send it to:

Mars Society of New York, Inc.
67 Jervis Rd
Yonkers, NY 10705.

If you are interested in corporate sponsorship opportunities with the Mars Society of New York, contact Ed Fisher at MarsNY@Optonline.net

 

 


 

 


Sign the Mars Petition!

Show your support for the human exploration of Mars by signing the Mars Petition!


The Mars Petition

The time has come for humanity to journey to Mars.

Humanity yearns for a challenge, one that will let us exercise the limitless potential, now dormant, that lies waiting within ourselves. The prospects facing our generation have never been greater; with world peace, unprecedented economic growth, and extraordinary technological innovation, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new millennium of opportunity. The human exploration of Mars will be our generation's crowning achievement.

We must go for the knowledge of Mars. Finding evidence of life on Mars would demonstrate that the origin of life is not unique to the Earth, and, by implication, reveal a universe that is filled with life and most likely intelligence as well. This would be the most important scientific enlightenment since Copernicus' discoveries.

We must also go for the knowledge of Earth. Mars, the planet most like Earth, is believed to have had a wet climate and can help us understand the impact of climactic change on our home world. The knowledge we gain could be key to our survival.

We call upon the leaders of the world to commit to the immediate human exploration of Mars. It is our wish that, in the spirit of history's greatest explorers, the first humans will set foot on Mars by 2015, with the ultimate goal of developing a sustained presence. We urge our leaders to have the vision to provide for the citizens they represent a future without limits, one that matches our potential and our country's greatness, and is worthy of the dreams of our children.

Believing therefore that the exploration and settlement of Mars represent the greatest human endeavor of our time, I add my signature to the Mars Petition.


Sign the Mars Petition at http://thinkmars.net/petition.html.

 


 

 

The purpose of the Mars Society is:

To further the goal of the exploration and settlement of the Red Planet. This will be done by:

  • Broad public outreach to instill the vision of pioneering Mars.
  • Support of ever more aggressive government funded Mars exploration programs around the world.
  • Conducting Mars exploration on a private basis.

Starting small, with hitchhiker payloads on government funded missions, we intend to use the credibility that such activity will engender to mobilize larger resources that will enable stand-alone private robotic missions and ultimately human exploration.

 


You can read our founding declaration by clicking here.


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This page was last updated June 12th, 2001.