Southeastern Space Supporter

Newsletter of HAL5 – the Huntsville Alabama L5 Society chapter of the National Space Society 3 Volume 8, Number 6 — November–December 1999 S ______Greg drove to the nearest bookstore and The Millennial Archive found the special Millennium edition of Send Your Writings to the Moon! the Guinness Book of World Records FIRST WORD (Beth Elliott, VP, Applied Space Resources) 2000 and purchased a copy. On page HALO Mentioned in Guinness 183, there is the following entry: [Editor’s Note: HAL5 received the Book of World Records 2000 following information package from (by Ron Lajoie, SSS Editor) MOST SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR Beth Elliott, Vice President of ROCKETS Communications at Applied Space On October 13, Greg Allison received a Resources (ASR). ASR is developing The Halo rocket, built by a US group very surprising email message from a the first private lunar sample return called HAL5, reached an altitude of person named Jacob Samorodin: mission, Lunar Retriever I. Part of their 36 miles on May 11, 1998. Halo was financing plan is via the Millennial carried to a height of 11 miles 654 “You’re probably wondering why I’m Archive, for which they have been yd. by a helium-filled balloon before sending you and your HALO project encouraging NSS chapters like HAL5 to being launched. The height it staff congratulations at this time. It’s become involved. The HAL5 Executive achieved is just 14 miles short of simple! You’re historic amateur rocket- Committee will vote on our level of NASA’s official definition of the launch to the "edge of space" has made participation early next year. The text beginning of space. it into the pages of the GUINNESS from the package is contained in this BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS. article. For more, see their Web site at: Congrats... Okay, so they got the year wrong (it was http://www.millennial-archive.com/] 1997), and they only mention what we In fact I wish it were possible that I cannot prove (our peak altitude) rather In millennia past, it took wealth, power could have succeeded in one of my high- than what we can prove (that it was the or fame to have any hope of being altitude projects, but alas, the usual first successful amateur rockoon launch, remembered for all time. Yet story: NO MONEY! So I've turned to as well as the first high-altitude launch monuments erode, history gets theoretical and technical work. I've of a hybrid rocket). But, hey, that is rewritten, and new generations find new devised a new solid-propellant rocket pretty good considering that they did not heroes. formula and ways to make solid- contact us and must have been working propellant rockets more efficient (longer off the NSS press release. ¶ But now, at the turn of the millennium, burning) without melting the rocket- human vision is combining with a new motor or casing. Would your group be technology to make sure everybody can interested?” weave their names and stories into a lasting tapestry of humanity on the threshold of a new era. Everybody can weave their messages to the future into HAL5 Program Night the Millennial Archive — a collection of Thursday, January 6, 2000 stories, family histories and cultural 7 to 8:30 p.m. (with social afterwards) statements, from individuals and groups Huntsville Public Library Auditorium using their own words and images. These inscriptions will be the words and “Yes, Jules (Verne), I am a images of individuals who want their Rocket Scientist!” stories and their families’ stories to live and speak for a thousand generations. Guest speaker will be Chris Barker, president of Space America, Inc. In 30,000 years, they can remember All HAL5 and NSS members are more than just your name! Best of all, it encouraged to attend, and to bring won’t take riches and political power to interested friends and co-workers. Happy Holidays! preserve your story. Your ideas, your Open to the public. Free admission. (see Archive, on page 8)

November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER SPACE NEWS gold, platinum and iridium in lunar Huntsville Alabama L5 Society rocks — all of which are concentrated with metallic iron — is required,” President — Greg Allison Lunar Data Support Idea That Day: 544-4440, Eve: 859-5538 Binder added. “This will do much to Collision Split Earth, Moon pin down for good if the ‘giant impact’ Vice-President — Gladys Young (NASA Press Release, March 16, 1999) Day: 852-0561, Eve: 852-0561 model of the formation of the Moon is correct, or if the Moon formed in a Treasurer — Ronnie Lajoie Analysis of data from NASA’s Lunar different manner.” Day: 971-3055, Eve: 721-1083 Prospector spacecraft has confirmed that Secretary — Wade Dorland the Moon has a small core, supporting The current data come from gravity Day: 551-0008, Eve: 534-2566 the theory that the bulk of the Moon was measurements conducted by Dr. Alex Membership — Philomena Grodzka ripped away from the early Earth when Konopliv of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Day: 536-8638, Eve: 536-8638 an object the size of Mars collided with Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. His results Communications — Ellen Cozelos the Earth. indicate that the Moon’s core radius is Day: 726-6387, Eve: 883-4873 between 140 and 280 miles (220 and ------Scientists presented this result and other 450 kilometers). This result is Southeastern Space Supporter findings today in a series of papers at consistent with independent magnetic Volume 8, Number 6 the 30th Lunar and Planetary Science data, evaluated by Dr. Lon Hood of the November / December 1999 Conference in Houston, TX. Their data University of Arizona, Tucson, which show that the lunar core contains less suggest that the core radius is between The Southeastern Space Supporter is a than four percent of the Moon’s total 180 and 260 miles (300 and 425 km). bimonthly publication of the Huntsville mass, with the probable value being two Alabama L5 Society (HAL5), a not-for- percent or slightly less. This is very profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the In other results from Lunar Prospector, small when compared with the Earth, goal of seeing everyday people living in Dr. Robert Lin of the University of thriving communities beyond the Earth. whose iron core contains approximately California at Berkeley, Dr. Mario Acuna 30 percent of the planet’s mass. of NASA Goddard, and Hood also found Any opinions expressed in this newsletter that a broad section of the southern far- are those of the authors or of the Editor, “This is a critical finding in helping side of the Moon has large localized and, unless expressly so stated, are not scientists determine how the Earth and necessarily those of HAL5 or the NSS. magnetic fields in its crust. These fields Moon formed,” said Dr. Alan Binder of occur opposite the large Crisium, Visit the HAL5 Web Page on Internet via: the Lunar Research Institute, Tucson, Serenitatis and Imbrium basins — three AZ, principal investigator for Lunar http://hiwaay.net/~hal5/ of the “seas” that cover much of the Prospector. ------Moon’s near side. This result supports earlier evidence linking strong HAL5 encourages its members to speak out Similarities in the mineral composition magnetized concentrations on one side on space-related issues, and welcome of the Earth and the Moon indicate that submissions of both fact and opinion of the Moon with young, large impact articles of interest to HAL5 members. they share a common origin. However, if basins on the other side. they had simply formed form the same Submit letters or articles to: Ronnie Lajoie cloud of rocks and dust, the Moon would Results of efforts to map the 162 Kirby Lane, Madison, AL 35757 have a core similar in proportion to the composition of the lunar crust have Day phone/message: 256-971-3055 Earth’s. A third theory suggests that the surpassed the expectations of the Night/Weekend phone: 256-721-1083 moon was captured fully intact by the spectrometer team, led by Dr. William FAX number: 256-971-3333 Earth’s gravity. Feldman of the Department of Energy’s Electronic mail address: [email protected] Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Based on information first gathered Mexico. Data obtained are so good that Deadline for submittal is the last day of the during the Apollo era, scientists the distribution of thorium has been following months: February, April, June, suggested that the Moon was formed mapped with a resolution of 36 miles August, October, and December. when a Mars-sized body hit the Earth (60 kilometers). At this amount of Preferred format for plain text is ASCII during its earliest history. “This impact detail, scientists can detect individual (text with graphics is MS Word or occurred after the Earth’s iron core had deposits rich in thorium and related WordPerfect) either sent by E-mail or on a formed, ejecting rocky, iron-poor elements. Their current observations PC diskette. Also acceptable are letters and material from the outer shell into orbit,” suggest that thorium was excavated by articles sent by mail or faxed; however, the Binder explained. “It was this material impacts of asteroids and comets, and more retyping required, the less likely the that collected to form the Moon. then distributed around craters, rather acceptance. HAL5 is not responsible for than being deposited by volcanic receipt of mailed submissions; none will be “Further analysis of Lunar Prospector activity. ¶ returned unless sent with a SASE. Hand- data to refine the exact size of the lunar delivered diskettes will be hand-returned. core and the amounts of elements like No compensation is paid for submissions.

November–December 1999 2 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER Web Site Moves to HiWAAY with very little warning. On Friday, crucial that you go ahead and change October 22, HAL5 was informed that your dial-up access to come into the (by Ron Lajoie, HAL5 Web site manager) “This weekend we will create a copy of HiWAAY access system as soon as you all your current user accounts, including can.” Of course, since they were already The HAL5 email and Web accounts your web sites, on the HiWAAY user forwarding my mail and I had not time have been forcibly moved to HiWAAY, server. We will not remove your current yet to set up the new account, I had no who recently bought out ADViCOM, as accounts at ADViCOM at this time.” way to see this urgent message! Gah! well as both Traveler and Renaissance Internet providers. HAL5’s new email Then, on Monday, October 25, a revised Fortunately for me, I had decided to try address is [email protected] and email message was received stating to TELNET to the new HAL5 HiWAAY the new Web site location is: “This weekend we created a copy of all account from my work computer. Using http://hiwaay.net/~hal5/ your current user accounts, including that method, I could use the Unix MAIL your web sites, on the HiWAAY user command to see how many messages I Fortunately, the new address for the server. ... Today we will mail a letter ... had and even read them. I could also Web site and all of its pages have the that will tell you about your HiWAAY list the “public_html” directory where same address except that “advicom” has account including your username, the HAL5 Web site files are stored — been replaced with “hiwaay”. Please password, dial up numbers and how to but the directory was entirely EMPTY! update your email address books and make the changes to your account to dial Web browser bookmarks accordingly. into HiWAAY. ... Multitronics agreed to HiWAAY had still not moved the Web let us use the ADViCOM domain for site files to the new account, yet their The new Web site is up and running as another 5 months.” Tuesday message stated that “Thursday, before, except that the page counters and Nov 4 at noon we will point all web the CGI scripts (that allow the site to be The letter arrived the next day, but I was requests to your personal and Business search) no longer function. Both should too busy preparing a friend’s visit and access web pages to your HiWAAY be fixed in January. Please report all the upcoming Con†Stellation science account web pages. After that, we will errors by sending an email message to fiction convention (held on Halloween deactivate the ADViCOM accounts.” [email protected]. The forum weekend). In this middle of all this capability promised last January is on frantic preparation, on October 27, With less than two days left, I sent a hold pending further research & testing. HAL5 received a revised again email frantic email to HiWAAY, only to message with the hilarious opening receive a reply that “The files from your A Story of HiWAAY Robbery “The transition process is going a little account ... have not been copied to your slower than planned ...” — NOT TO new account [because] the files in your October was a weird month for the ME! directory on fly.hiwaay.net have HAL5 Web site. Strange and sometimes changed since your account was created conflicting email messages were being According to their new schedule: “On and we did not want to disturb anything sent to the HAL5 email address. Monday Nov 1 at noon, we plan to begin you might have already setup.” I can forwarding mail from your old only assume that meant my reading of On October 7, HAL5 was informed that ADViCOM accounts to your new my mail via TELNET had changed the “IBS Interactive/Advicom, is pleased to HiWAAY account. Your ADViCOM account, but this was already days after continue offering you Internet, News- account will still be active but no new they were supposed to move the files. group, and E-Mail service. In the next mail will be saved into your ADViCOM few weeks we will be upgrading our account. At that time we will also copy Using the same TELNET command, I servers and connection equipment to the all your web pages from the ADViCOM logged on to the ADViCOM account latest technology available to Internet server to the HiWAAY user server.” It and used the Unix TAR command to Service Providers.” also retracted its earlier statement and archive the entire “public_html” direc- said “Since Multitronics/ADViCOM did tory and all of its subdirectories into one Well, things certainly changed two NOT give us the complete rights to the 5-MB binary file. I then used the FTP weeks later, but not the way IBS stated. advicom.net domain, you will have to command to send the file over to the On October 20, HAL5 was informed change the e-mail address you give to HiWAAY account. Fortunately, the that “HiWAAY Information Services your friends and family.” TAR command worked the same on the has acquired Renaissance Internet new computer and the file was unpacked Services and ADViCOM in a purchase The Race to Save the HAL5 Web Site without incident. A quick Netscape test from IBS Interactive.” ensured me that the new Web site was Less than two weeks after receiving the up and mostly running. On Friday, the Despite claims that “There will be no first message, HiWAAY changed tactics ADViCOM account died. Let us hope immediate changes of service or billing” from pleasant requests to direct orders. that HiWAAY will serve us well. ¶ HiWAAY began immediately to transfer On Tuesday, November 2, a stern email email and Web accounts to their system, message was received that said “It is

3 November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER Meandering Through “space” on their first attempt, and (in Why Space Activism Burnout? my opinion) the effects of working with This is the Time to Get Excited! The Universe a government agency spoiled their (copyright 1999 by Richard Richardson) second try, these valiant crusaders will It has come to my attention over the last go to space and show the way to those year or so that many of our space [Editor’s Note: Richard Richardson who will see. advocacy leaders and activists are from Alaska is a friend of Greg Allison beginning to flirt with burn out. They and is Project HALO’s most frequent But to all you Luddites, I continue my have been working very hard for their donor, sending in a check for $10 chant: Get out of the way! You don’t visions of a space future. One may or almost monthly. In addition to “thank believe it’s possible to be a part of the may not agree with all of the details of you” letters, HAL5 recently rewarded adventure of space and you would rather any particular such person’s vision, but him with a Certificate of Appreciation see space be forever out of reach than let’s face it folks, these people care, and and a Space Shuttle tie pin.] have anyone ever prove you wrong. they have been working to the brink (sometimes over the brink) of Kudos to the Huntsville Alabama L5 For those of you who aren’t determined exhaustion. No one can deny that they Society (a chapter of NSS) for their to see space closed forever, I encourage have made happen many significant, HALO Program! They are trying to you to (judiciously) support efforts like positive changes in how people think reach space by launching a rocket from HAL5’s HALO Project. The door to about space, in space related law and high altitude. Actually, that is only space for space enthusiasts will only be legislation, in risk-takers’ willingness to partially correct. Technically, the opened if we (wisely) put our brains, our invest their lives and/or money in space launch occurs from the surface of the hands, our time, and our money where enterprises, and in many, many other earth, the first stage is a high altitude our mouths are (or should, at least, areas. capable balloon. One of the other inter- already be). esting aspects is the rocket fuel: asphalt. These people need all the help we can I’ve also long been saying that we could give them. They need our appreciation, They haven’t reached space yet. But “do” space better, faster, and more our help, our involvement. They also look at it this way, the US government efficiently, and do infinitely more to need the input of our thinking so that should have been so successful in the make each and every one of us a vital they will be leading in the directions we beginning of its efforts to reach space. part of that adventure (as well as provide want to go and so they will be leading No matter how you slice it, these folks “spin-off” everyday life type benefits to with all the best possible ideas, both for have “the right stuff”! ourselves) if we were united in a space our ultimate goals and for how to get business coop or family of coops. But there. Find a way that you personally Though I wasn’t specific about the research the history, the current state, can help! details, this is exactly the kind of real, and the economics of coops for yourself, history changing, future making then let me know what you think. These are exciting times what with program that I have publicly and Roton ships rolling out, Zenit boosters persistently argued for these last many No Space-Based Laser Weapons launching from the equator — in the years. The only difference is that I felt middle of the ocean, real and ongoing (and still feel) that 10,000, 50,000, or On a less controversial subject, I have exploration of Mars, new and/or more space advocates/enthusiasts mixed feeling about the space-based innovative technologies and procedures pulling together could do the job with laser weapons being developed by the used in actual space probe missions (ion relative ease. US military (and probably are on the thrusters and aerobraking, for two drawing boards of other major world examples), more nations and nation However, over and over I have been told powers). There is a real and growing groups planning and carrying out space by everyone from famous science fiction threat of missile attacks by “rogue” exploration missions than ever before, authors, to NASA engineers, to notable nations (and their cronies, in some “off-the-shelf” thinking beginning to space activists, to “just ordinary people” cases). replace “wouldn’t this be neat — and that it’s either stupid or insane to believe expensive” thinking, space ports that “amateurs” can actually “do” space. But worse attacks could be relatively springing up in various corners of the “Only governments (and now, easily executed without using rockets at world, and on, and on, and on. Hold ‘businesses’) can manage such daunting all. Meanwhile, if the more forward your breath, people, we are on the tasks!” thinking have their way, resource bleeding edge of a new era of development in space may not always go commercial space. Baloney, says I! When a mere handful according to the preferences of the of “amateurs” can send a homemade political and/or economic forces holding I only have two questions: Will there be rocket knocking on Heaven’s door — as sway over government and military in a place in it for you and me? Do you HAL5 has — I know I am vindicated. the future. Think about it. want there to be? ¶ Though they fell just short of certified

November–December 1999 4 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR E-mall: [email protected] Web page: http://www.house.gov/cramer SUBCOMMITTEE ON VA, HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Congressman Bud Cramer 5th District of Alabama October 21,1999

Mr. Gregory Allison, President Huntsville Alabama L5 Society PMBl68 1019 Old Monrovia Road NW #168 Huntsville, AL 35806-3505

Dear Mr. Allison:

I would like to take this Opportunity to extend my congratulations to the Huntsville Alabama L5 Society on recently being recognized by the Guinness World Records 2000 Millennium Edition for launching a rocket to an altitude of just over 40 miles. This recognition demonstrates to everyone what can be accomplished when innovative thinking is combined with a strong sense of commitment. Private sector involvement such as yours in reducing the costs of space access is critical to the future of our Nation.

As you know, the $10,000 per pound costs associated with getting to Earth orbit exclude small and mid-sized companies from participating in the commercialization of space. These costs also significantly contribute to the United States' rapidly declining share of the commercial space launch market. Reducing the costs of access to space is necessary to help the United States regain its lost share of the commercial launch industry, improve the economic competitiveness of the United States in the world markets, and strengthen and maintain the national security of the United States. Cheaper space access will also help provide more opportunities for space research that enhance our understanding of the Universe and the physical sciences, and will enable observations of the Earth to monitor and protect our global environment for future generations.

I would like to thank the Huntsville Alabama L5 Society for helping Huntsville once again live up to its reputation as the “Rocket City” and I wish you the best of luck in the future.

Sincerely,

Bud Cramer Member of Congress

5 November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER Huntsville Alabama L5 Society (HAL5) your local chapter of the National Space Society presents

Yes, Jules, I am a Rocket Scientist! a free public presentation by Mr. Chris Barker President and CEO, Space America, Inc. Thursday, January 6, 2000 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library

The public is invited. Admission is FREE. A social at Shoney's will follow the meeting. For more information: call Ronnie Lajoie at 256-721-1083 or email: [email protected]

November–December 1999 6 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER HAL5 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS November 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 21 22 / 23 24 25 26 27 Thanksgiving Day

28 29 0a 30 First Flight over South Pole 1929 December 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 HAL5 Program Chanukah “Space Biology” Begins 7 pm at Library

5 6 7 6 8 9 10 11 Galileo arrives HAL5 & Project HAL5 at Jupiter, HALO Meeting Xmas Party 1995 Noon at Ponds 6-9p at Bossards

12 13 14 15 }1 16 17 18 HAL5 & Project HALO Meeting Noon at Ponds 19 20 21 22 / 23 24 25 Brightest HAL5 & Project Christmas Christmas Full Moon in HALO Meeting Eve Day 133 years Noon at Ponds 26 27 28 29 0a 30 31 1 HAL5 & Project New Year’s New Year’s HALO Meeting Eve Day Noon at Ponds January 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 HAL5 Program “Space America” 7 pm at Library

9 10 11 12 13 14 }1 15 HAL5 & Project HALO Meeting Noon at Ponds 16 17 18 19 20 / 21 22 Martin Luther HAL5 & Project King Jr. Day HALO Meeting Noon at Ponds 23 24 25 26 27 0a 28 29 HAL5 & Project HALO Meeting Noon at Ponds

7 November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER

(Archive, continued from page 1) carried to the Moon on Lunar Retriever Random Access to Millions of Images I, will be durable two-inch nickel discs creativity, your faith, your heritage — full of gray-scale images from a silicon A code assigned to your Personal Page whatever you cherish — can live on to master. The silicon masters will be will yield the vertical and horizontal tell future generations who you are. etched by gallium implantation and coordinates on the disc on which it was And the Millennial Archive’s inter- depth-enhanced by an etch-stop etched. Meanwhile, future historians, pretive key, based on the universal technique using focused ion beam tech- librarians and other researchers studying language of mathematics, will keep the nology in the semiconductor industry for the Millennial Archive will be able to meaning of your personal statement manufacturing integrated circuits. Your retrieve images at up to 30 pages per alive and accessible for the life of this individual Keepsake Disc can then be second using currently existing CCD monument to the human spirit. Future easily and accurately replicated from the camera technology and disc carousel historians will certainly note the original master disc. add-ons. They will be able to view missions that opened space to commer- Personal Pages, digitize them, print cial development, and museums will The computer-controlled focused ion them out as hard copies–they will even display the artifacts associated with beam machinery that will etch your be able to interface the reader with those historic missions — and your Personal Page onto an Eternity Disc uses computer network servers, and thereby Message can be among those artifacts. a 50-nanometer beam spot size, which use your Personal Page as a knowledge could allow it to store approximately resource. As generations go by, what The Millennial Archive 90,000 8-1/2 x 11-inch pages scanned at you say to the future now, at the turn of A Revolution in Deep Time Archiving 300 dots per square inch on one of our the millennium, will be of ever- durable two-inch nickel discs. It is increasing value to posterity. Sharing your message to the future for a capable of writing a 25-nanometer spot truly indefinite period of time requires size, which would allow storing Designed to Last Thousands of Years an extremely durable archival system. approximately 350,000 pages on a two- The Millennial Archive will use a inch disc at 300 dpi. With reasonable care in handling, the system tested on several thousand Millennial Archive could be just such a images from the Library of Congress resource indefinitely. Should civiliza- and designed to serve as timeless, tions fall and rise again, however, it may secure, fire- and corrosion-proof storage be the Eternity Discs in lunar storage on that does not require specific environ- the Sea of Nectar that will tell your story mental conditions. In addition, Applied to the next civilization that once again Space Resources has designed takes that giant step for all humankind. enhancements for storing a copy of the The copy of the Millennial Archive that Millennial Archive in harsh lunar ASR will attempt to deliver to the Moon conditions as insurance against loss due with its planned 2002 launch of Lunar to war, political upheaval or societal Retriever I will be set within a ceramic degradation or collapse. base to minimize temperature fluctua- tions and covered with lead foil to No tape or disc storage medium exists protect it from cosmic radiation. This that can be counted on to last more than package will sit inside the part of ASR’s a few decades. Moreover, the codes for lunar lander that will be on the Moon. interpreting digital data can be lost — and do get lost. Tragically, much of the The chances of a meteorite impact digital data from the NASA missions to intensive enough, and at just the right However, should the Millennial Archive Mars of a mere quarter century ago spot on the lander, to take out the have to be rediscovered, ASR wants it to became un-usable because we can no Millennial Archive should be minimal. be apparent that the discs contain minia- longer read the magnetic tapes on which Over an extended period of time, how- turized images. And, we want you to be the data was stored. ever, the cumulative effect of cosmic ray able to see your message to posterity on bombardment might be sufficient to your very own Keepsake Disc replica Storing 1000s of Images on One Disc eventually degrade the images on the with an ordinary student microscope ... actual discs. In worst-case scenario and to be able to show it to your children The Millennial Archive, on the other calculations, readability appears to be and their children. For that reason, we hand, will consist of actual visual capable of standing up for 30,000 years. have settled upon a beam size that will images the eye can read under ordinary Scientists have suggested a lifetime of a store approximately 17,000 pages at 300 (400x) magnification with an inexpen- million years; for practical purposes, dpi on each disc. sive student microscope. Its Eternity however, ASR is using the conservative Discs, which will be archived terres- 30,000 year figure as a benchmark. trially by an organization such and

November–December 1999 8 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER Get your own Personal Page [Editor’s Note: each page is scanned at The Millennial Archive is designed to aboard the Millennial Archive! 300 dpi greyscale, so keep that in mind minimize your risks in Deep Time. We if you want to submit a photograph.] know space flight still has its risks, and A Personal Page on the Millennial we don’t feel it’s right for you to take Archive is your opportunity to represent Those other space time capsules those risks. Besides insuring our launch humankind at an historic and momen- against loss or failure, we put your tous gateway in time. The Archive is a There are other “space time capsules” money in escrow until a copy of the collection of individual and cultural hoping you’ll send your message to the Millennial Archive is safely delivered to statements representative of Humanity at future with them, but only the the Moon. If we don’t get to the Moon the start of a new age. It is your oppor- Millennial Archive is designed to by 2005, you get your money back! tunity to preserve your identity for a actually get it there. Here’s why: Some other space time capsules don’t thousand generations side-by-side with even say what they’re doing with your great works of world culture selected by The Millennial Archive is designed to money, or what happens to it if they Project Gutenberg and others. Your travel into Deep Time. Your message don’t get launched. unique message to the Future will be will be stored on special metal discs stored on a dedicated Personal Page designed to withstand the effects of Donations to Groups Like HAL5 aboard the Millennial Archive. time, even on the surface of the Moon. Scientists tell us that, left undisturbed, Millennial Archive donates 10% of each Simply give us a single 8-1/2 x 11-inch the Millennial Archive and your sale to various charities and non-profit page with anything you want on it and message may well last millions of years. organizations. The electronic check-out we will nano-engrave it onto the discs of Some other space time capsules use form allows you to select from a list of the Millennial Archive for only $37.95! plastic CD-ROM discs likely to degrade preferred charities and non-profits. If (Well almost anything. It has to be legal in a few short decades. you have a favorite not-for-profit for us to publish.) You will also get a organization you believe we should certificate of participation about four The Millennial Archive is designed to include, send an email to weeks after your submission. Your communicate across Deep Time. [email protected] with submission will be included in the Languages change and evolve constantly the organization’s name, address and Millennial Archive and sent to the — we have trouble reading authors from phone number. surface of the Moon aboard the Lunar only a few hundred years ago, like Retriever I spacecraft for safekeeping. Shakespeare or Chaucer. The Millen- If you would like to help promote space, You can also obtain additional products, nial Archive’s “mathematical Rosetta your may choose for your donation such upgrades and add-ons for your personal Stone” will teach future generations how organizations as Planetary Society, page. we speak today. A dictionary and Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence encyclopedia, and a collection of (SETI), Space Frontier Foundation, the Submission Methods humanity’s greatest literature selected National Space Society, ProSpace, the by Project Gutenberg, will explain our Artemis Society. Or you can select from There are five ways to send us material culture — the context for understanding more traditional organizations, such as for your Personal Page. your message. Some other space time Greenpeace, Make a Wish Foundation, capsules store messages in digital American Cancer Society, American 1. On-line Page Designer: This online formats that could be obsolete within a Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Girl form will automatically build a decade or two — adding the challenge Scouts of America, or the Big Brothers Personal Page for you. Check out a of reading your message at all to trans- and Big Sisters of America. You may demo of how your page might look! lating the language you speak. also select from UFO organizations, 2. URL: We will archive the first 8½" such as CAUS, CSETI, MUFON, or The by 11" page from the web site found The Millennial Archive is designed to Starchild Project. at this address. be found in Deep Time. Your message will be stored on the surface of the Donations will be made on a quarterly 3. E-mail: We will archive the first 8½" Moon in a visible location attached to basis beginning January 1, 2000. We by 11" page from a file you send us. the first commercial lunar spacecraft. will produce a statement each quarter 4. Downloadable Form: This pre- You and your descendants will be able which will be available by mail. To formatted form can be printed and look at the Moon and point to where the receive the current statement, send a completed at your leisure. Millennial Archive stands guard as SASE to: Millennial Archive Charity generation after generation go by. Some Donations, P.O. BOX 480, ANDES, NY 5. Plain Paper: For the truly creative — other space time capsules have no fixed 13731. Start with a blank piece of paper ... destination — they will float around the the rest is up to you. earth, drift off into space or crash into asteroids.

9 November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER Sell a Page — Get Yours Free! 2001 and Beyond future is always desirable; it may help to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. (by Arthur C. Clarke, 14 March 1999) The Millennial Archive has an Affiliate 2001: Next millennium and century Program whereby you can make up to Despite all claims to the contrary, no begin. Cassini space probe begins 10% commission by helping us to sell one can predict the future, and I have exploring the planet’s moons and rings. pages. When you make your first sale of always resisted all attempts to label me a Galileo probe continues surveying a Personal Page, we will give you one prophet: I prefer “extrapolator”. free — a $37.95 value — as a thank Jupiter and its moons. Life beneath the ice-covered oceans of Europa appears you. What I have tried to do, at least in my increasingly likely. non-fiction, is outline possible “futures” Bonuses for Web Site Sponsorship — at the same time pointing out that 2002: The first commercial device totally unexpected inventions or events producing clean, safe power by low- Home Page Bonus — Earn $0.03 per can make any forecasts absurd after a temperature nuclear reactions goes on unique visitor bonus by placing a very few years. The classic example is the market, heralding the end of the graphical link to the Millennial Archive the statement in the late ‘40s by the then Fossil-Fuel Age. Economic and at the top of your home page. The link chairman of IBM that the world market geopolitical earthquakes follow and, for must be in the top 400 pixels on the first for computers was about five (or was it their discovery of so-called “Cold page a visitor sees when reaching your six?). I have more in my own office, Fusion” in 1989, Pons and Fleischmann site. This is paid on top of your and they are still breeding like rabbits ... website’s base referral rate. Send an receive the Nobel Prize for Physics. email to affiliatebonus@millennial- But perhaps I’m in no position to 2003: The motor industry is given five archive.com with Home “Page Bonus” criticize Thomas Watson. In Transit of years to replace all fuel-burning engines as the subject. Put your home page’s Earth (1971), I put the first Mars with the new energy device. The same URL and your Affiliate ID in the body. landing in 1994; now we’ll be lucky if year, NASA’s robot Mars Surveyor Once we have verified the placement we we make it by 2010. On the other hand, (carrying Lander and Rover) is will increase your referral rate. when Prelude to Space was published in launched. 1951, I thought I was being wildly Banner Bonus — Earn $0.02 per optimistic by suggesting a moon mission 2004: First human clone. unique visitor bonus when you use any in 1978. Neil and Buzz beat me by graphic image instead of a text link to almost a decade. the Millennial Archive site. This is paid 2005: First sample launched back to Earth by Mars Surveyor. on top of your website’s base referral Still, I take a modest pride in the fact rate. Send an email to affiliatebonus@ that communications satellites are 2006: Last coal mine closed. millennial-archive.com with “Banner placed exactly where I suggested in Bonus” as the subject. Put the page’s 1945, and that the name “Clarke Orbit” 2007: NASA’s Next Generation Space URL and your Affiliate ID in the body. is now often used, if only because it’s Telescope launched. Once we have verified the placement we easier to say than “geostationary orbit”. will increase your referral rate. And the chapter “The Country 2008: On his 80th birthday, July 26, Syndrome” in my 1990 novel, The film director Stanley Kubrick, who Affiliate Referrals — Psst! Do you want Ghost from the Grand Banks, may well made 2001: A Space Odyssey, receives a to earn $25? Just put the Affiliate have been the first account, outside special Oscar for lifetime achievement. Program Join Now link (Link Style 4) technical literature, of the now-dreaded on your website. For every unique millennium bug — its cause and its 2009: A city in a Third World country is visitor who joins our Program and then cure. sells 5 Personal Pages, we will pay you a devastated by the accidental explosion of an A-bomb in its armory. After a brief $25 referral fee. Even so, the chronology that follows debate in the UN, all nuclear weapons should be given with a “health are destroyed. Closing from Letter from Beth Elliott warning”. Some of the events listed (particularly the space missions) are 2010: The first Quantum Generators I’m sure you’ll do a lot of creative already scheduled, and will occur on the (tapping space energy) are developed. brainstorming with these materials, and actual dates given; I believe all the other Available in portable and household Alonzo Fyfe ([email protected]) events could happen, although several I units from a few kilowatts upwards, they and I will be more than happy to discuss hope will not. any ideas or answer any questions. Let can produce electricity indefinitely. Central power stations close down and us know if you want to set up a phone In spite of the temptation, I have omitted the age of pylons ends as grid systems call in addition to e-mailing. Best many interesting and all-too-possible are dismantled. regards, Beth Elliott. ¶ disasters, because optimism about the

November–December 1999 10 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER In spite of “Big Brother” protests, 2020: Artificial Intelligence (AI) history — work! There is an explosion electronic monitoring virtually removes reaches the human level. From now in arts, entertainment and education. professional criminals from society. onwards there are two intelligent species on planet Earth, one evolving far more Hunter-gathering societies are recreated 2011: Largest living animal filmed: a rapidly than biology would ever permit. and huge areas of the planet, no longer 75m octopus in the Mariana Trench. By Interstellar probes carrying Als are needed for food production, are allowed a curious coincidence, later in the year launched towards the nearer stars. to revert to their original state. Young even larger marine creatures are people can now discharge their discovered when the first robot probes 2021: The first humans land on Mars, aggressive instincts by using crossbows drill through the ice of Europa, and an and have some unpleasant surprises. to stalk big game, which is robotic and entire new biota is revealed. frequently dangerous. 2023: Dinosaur facsimiles are cloned 2012: Aerospace planes enter service. from computer-generated DNA. 2045: The totally self-contained, The history of space travel has repeated Disney’s Triassic Zoo opens in Florida. recycling, mobile home is perfected. that of aeronautics, although more Despite some unfortunate initial Any additional carbon needed for food slowly, because the technical problems accidents, mini raptors start replacing synthesis is obtained by extracting are so much greater. From Gagarin to guard dogs. carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. commercial space flight has been twice as long as Wright Brothers to the DC3. 2024: Infra-red signals are detected 2050: Escape from Utopia. Bored by coming from the center of the galaxy. life in this peaceful and unexciting era, 2013: Despite the understandable They are obviously the product of a millions decide to use cryonic suspen- apprehensions of Buckingham Palace, technologically advanced civilization, sion to emigrate into the future in search Prince Harry becomes the first member but all attempts to decipher them fail. of adventure. Vast “hibernacular” are of the British royal family to fly in established in Antarctic and in regions space. 2025: Neurological research finally of perpetual night at the lunar poles. leads to an understanding of all the 2014: Construction of Hilton Orbiter senses, and direct inputs become 2057 October 4: Centennial of Sputnik Hotel begins, by assembling and possible, bypassing skin, eyes, ears and 1. The dawn of the space age is converting the giant Shuttle tanks other organs. The inevitable result is celebrated by humans not only on Earth, previously allowed to fall back to Earth. the metal “Braincap”, of which the 20th but on the moon, Mars, Europa, century’s Walkman was a primitive Ganymede and Titan — and in orbit 2015: An inevitable by-product of the precursor. Anyone wearing this helmet, round Venus, Neptune and Pluto. Quantum Generator is complete control which fits tightly over the skull, can of matter at the atomic level. Thus the enter a whole universe of experience, 2061: The return of Halley’s Comet; old dream of alchemy is realized on a real or imaginary — and even merge in first landing on nucleus by humans. commercial scale, often with surprising real time with other minds. The sensational discovery of both results. Within a few years, since they dormant and active life forms vindicates are more useful, lead and copper cost Apart from its use for entertainment and Hoyle and Wickramasinghe’s century- twice as much as gold. vicarious adventure, the Braincap is a old hypothesis that life is omnipresent boon to doctors, who can now throughout space. 2016: All existing currencies are experience their patients’ symptoms abolished. The megawatt-hour becomes (suitably attenuated.) It also 2090: Large-scale burning of fossil fuels the unit of exchange. revolutionizes the legal profession; is resumed to replace carbon dioxide deliberate lying is impossible. As the “mined” from the air and, hopefully, 2017 December 16: On his 100th Braincap can function properly only on postpone the next Ice Age by promoting birthday, Sir Arthur C Clarke is one of a completely bald head, wig-making global warming. the first guests in the Hilton Orbiter. becomes a major industry. 2095: The development of a true “Space 2019: A major meteor impact occurs on 2040: The “Universal Replicator”, based Drive”, a propulsion system reacting the North Polar ice cap. There is no loss on nanotechnology, is perfected: any against the structure of space-time, of human life, but the resulting tsunamis object, however complex, can be created makes the rocket obsolete and permits cause considerable damage along the — given the necessary raw material and velocities close to that of light. The first coasts of Greenland and Canada. The the appropriate information matrix. human explorers set off to nearby star long-discussed Project Spaceguard, to Diamonds or gourmet meals can, systems that robot probes have already identify and deflect any potentially literally, be made from dirt. As a result, found promising. dangerous comets or asteroids, is finally agriculture and industry are phased out, activated. ending that recent invention in human 2100: History begins ... ¶

11 November–December 1999 SOUTHEASTERN SPACE SUPPORTER

HAL5 Membership Report Upcoming Events of Interest to HAL5 Members

The following is a list of additions to the Thu., Dec. 2 — HAL5 Program on “Commercial Biomedical Experiments current paid membership of HAL5, 7:00 - 8:30 PM in Space” by Marianne Lewis, at Huntsville Public Library, which includes 34 renewals and 13 new 915 Monroe Ave.; free; questions: 256-971-3055 members, for a total of 47 for 1999, plus four newsletter subscribers. Welcome to Thu., Jan. 6 — HAL5 Program on “Yes, Jules, I am a Rocket Scientist” by all our new and renewed members and 7:00 - 8:30 PM Mr. Chris Barker, President/CEO of Space America, Inc., at subscribers! Huntsville Public Library, 915 Monroe Ave.; free; 971-3055

Cary & Fran Bruton (R) Thu., Feb. 3 — HAL5 Program on “Space History and the Bible” by Dr. Bruce Randolph (N) 7:00 - 8:30 PM George McKay, HAL5 member, at Huntsville Public Library, 915 Monroe Ave.; free; questions: 256-461-5934 (N) - New Member (R) - Renewed Member

HAL5 welcomes back past members Cary & Fran Bruton, thanks to a donation from Greg Allison. Since it is so late in the year, Greg’s donation covers their year 2000 membership also. The Brutons donated the use of their large field for our history-making launch of our Project HALO SL-1 rockoon.

HAL5 also welcomes its new member Bruce Randolph, who is receiving a gift membership (to NSS as well) as a thank you for his many donations of hardware to Project HALO. Since it is so late in the year, this “thank you” covers his year 2000 membership as well. ¶

Glen May and Tim Picken’s Hybrid Rocket-powered Bicycle Pee Wee’s Little Adventure (by Ronnie Lajoie)

What do you get when you combine a bicycle, a hybrid rocket, Tim Pickens, and Glen May — TROUBLE! Only these creative geniuses could create a rocket-powered bicycle in less than a day! Tim’s article will follow soon! In YEE-HA!!!!! the meantime, enjoy the photos! ¶

Huntsville Alabama L5 Society Place Special Announcement PMB 168, 1019 Old Monrovia Road First Class Huntsville, AL 35806 Stamp HAL5 January Program Night ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Here “About Space America, Inc.” by Chris Barker, President/CEO Thursday, January 6, 7–9 pm

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