Quick list of a few pro-space entities
(not copyrighted; some links may be out-of-date)
Pressure Groups
SAS focuses on lobbying for cheap access to space; SFF pushes other
"frontier-opening" work as well and tries for media coverage. I'm a
member of SAS.
Other non-profit groups
- The X-Prize Foundation
Their idea is to stimulate the building of re-usable launchers
by offering a prize for the first one to make a pair of demonstration
flights under specified conditions. It makes sense to me.
- Space Studies Institute
ssi@ssi.org
Founded by O'Neill, now led by Dyson; sponsors research into
propulsion, materials processing, and other technologies of use in
developing space.
- Students for the Exploration
and Development of Space
doexp@seds.org
- Experimental Rocket Propulsion Society (mwallis@wallis.com)
A "backyard-rocket" group, planning to build their own orbital launchers.
- The optimists: InterGlobal
Space Lines. Right now their business is selling weightless rides on
an aeroplane, the same way NASA does for astronaut training. They expect
to buy a bigger aircraft in late 1997.
- The pessimists: Foundation for
the Advancement and Expansion of Humanity (no, seriously)
"The Foundation's stated
purpose is to sponsor basic scientific research necessary to humanity's
long-term survival."
- Planetary Society
I don't agree with their goals and don't know their address.
Startups
Yeah, well, see my
notes from the Space Access '05
convention.
Market survey
Jim Kingdon has a summary of a study of near-term markets for space
launch services
here (it's "only" 14K).