Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Chapter Updates, Events on May 17, 2011
Sun, Jun 19, 2011
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Location:
Serra Mesa Branch Library (map)
9005 Aero Dr, San Diego, CA
Join us for a special June program meeting of the San Diego Space Society. Please note this is one week later than our regularly scheduled program date. This month’s topic is “Design Concepts for a Manned Artificial Gravity Research Facility” given by noted local researcher Joe Carroll of Tether Applications, Inc.
Joe will discuss what such a facility can do to advance the study of living in space. Topics covered:
* Focus on the overall effects of long-term hypogravity
* Allow realistic planning for Moon & Mars settlements
* Such a facility can address numerous physiology questions
* The facility can also resolve nearer-term issues
Joe will also reference and discuss “Packing for Mars” by Mary Roach, a recent book about human factors engineering in space. A limited number of copies of which will be available from the Space Travelers Emporium.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. RSVP to events@sdspace.org or e-mail if you have any questions.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Chapter Updates, Events, movie on April 2, 2011
Sat, Apr 30, 2011
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
Join us for a fascinating look at visions of space travel from the early years. This month’s SD Space Movie Night we’ll show a Disney series on the BIG screen.
Before man ventured into space, Walt Disney took the nation there. This set of the Walt Disney Treasures consists of “Science Factual” shows that aired mostly in the 1950s. Ward Kimball, one of the company’s ace animators, directs three 50-minute segments on space travel dealing with space flight, going to the moon, and going to Mars. A combination of lecture (by the tops in the field, including lead rocket designer Dr. Werner von Braun), animation, live-action segments, and models, the three segments are still relevant as they effortlessly teach such elements as why rockets are in stages, what is gravitational force, orbiting, air pressure, and even the psychological effects on the mind. It is impressive how easily these Tomorrowland features entertain audiences of all ages. Of course, some of the details are wrong, but the wonder is not, and the final segment–a most poetic survey about what life might be like on Mars–illustrates Disney animated magic at its best.
1959 Rated G – 150 minutes
Popcorn provided. You’re welcome to bring any other snacks and [non-alcoholic] drinks to share.
Members and the public are welcome to attend. Email events@sdspace.org to RSVP.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Calendar, Chapter Updates, Events, movie on March 19, 2011
Sun, Mar 27, 2011
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location:
Space Travelers Emporium (map)
1947 30th St. San Diego, CA 92102
Continuing with our “science” theme for March, for this month’s SD Space Movie Night feature we’ll be watching “Monsters from the Id: Science is Mankind’s Last Great Hope” on the BIG screen.
The 1950′s was an idealistic time in American History, filled with hope, opportunity, and wonder. It was also, “The Atomic Age” where new technology promised to both save humanity as well as put it in jeopardy. All of these factors gave birth to one of the most prolific genres in film history, 1950′s Science Fiction Cinema.
Through the use of the movies themselves and expert analysis from scientists and educators, Monsters From The Id weaves the intersecting themes of over thirty classic films in order to tell the untold story of the Modern Scientist and his role in inspiring a nation. The film continues to explore the psychological and cultural impact of 1950′s Sci-Fi cinema and asks, “where is science inspiration found today?
More movie info here – 2008 Not Rated-53 minutes
Afterwards, an encore of Forbidden Planet is possible if attendees desire.
Popcorn provided. You’re welcome to bring any other snacks and [non-alcoholic] drinks to share.
Members and the public are welcome to attend. Email events@sdspace.org to RSVP.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Chapter Updates, Events, News on January 29, 2011
On January 29th, members of the San Diego Space Society participated in the RHFleet Science Center’s public Challenger Mission. This two hour mission was in honor of the Challenger disaster of January 28th, 1986.
Dave, Scott, Rylee, Adrian, Gerry and Jesse joined children and adults from the community in a simulated manned mission to Mars. 
Set in the future where voyages to Mars are routine, each member of our “crew” had to perform specific roles to contribute to mission success.
Our mission included a voyage to Mars, building a probe to send to Phobos and a landing at the Mars Base. There we encountered a Martian sand storm which hastened the crew exchange and departure of the return flight. Flight navigation, remote geology sensing and life support were a few of the other important roles, each with it’s own activities and tasks.
Everyone had a great time and expressed interest in setting up another mission adventure for SD Space members and family in the near future. Sound interesting? Let us know at events@sdspace.org if you’d like to participate in a future SD Space Challenger Mission.
Posted by Jesse Clark in Chapter Updates on January 21, 2011
SD Space member and Director Derek Nye is once again posting about a fascinating space topic, this time it’s about the Ad Astra Rocket Company and advanced plasma rocket propulsion.
Sounds like something out of a cool sci-fi book, but it’s very real. It has been in development since the early 1970′s. One company in particular, led by Franklin Chang Diaz, has made significant strides in the development of this new rocket engine. It may give us the ability to travel to any planet in our solar system faster than we ever thought.
In this post, I will be talking about the Ad Astra Rocket Company, and their VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) Engine. We will also discuss some of the criticism that has fallen on this technology. Lets first get acquainted with the founder, and work our way to the advanced plasma rocket fun…
Check out the blogpost The Ad Astra Rocket Company in it’s entirety.
