National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, educational, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization.

We Can Do It

When the first person landed on the Moon in 1969 after only eight short years of intense effort, NASA proved that we could do nearly anything we put our minds and resources to that is consistent with understood principles of engineering and science.

Today, there is renewed and heightened interest in space exploration, development and settlement. However, this time it is not a government driven geo-political battle between two Cold War super powers. It is a broad international movement, including significant participation by private enterprise and even several of this generations most successful entrepreneurs. The growing political and industry consensus is that we are going back to the Moon, this time to stay, and that we will use the lessons we learn on the Moon to go on to the human settlement of Mars. The key remaining issue is does this happen in your life time, your children's or your grand children's.  Our vision at NSS, is people living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity and sooner rather than later. 

EDUCATION

We at National Space Society believe space with its infinite resources holds the key to the future of life on Earth. The National Space Society therefore provides many educational opportunities to advance the careers of space-interested students from around the world. Our educational competitions, lessons, activities, and programs span grades K-12, university, and post-doctoral age levels. We engage teachers, students and the community in learning programs that use space science and space themes as we work to inspire the next generation of space leaders.

NSS/NASA-Ames Space Settlement Design Contest

International Space Settlement Design Competition

Cubesat Structures Competition

LEO Art Challenge

Enterprise in Space

Enterprise in Space Academy

Enterprise Centers of Excellence

Cislunar Explorers Team (Cornell University)

Space Solar Power (21st Century's solution to abundant green energy):

The United States and the world need to find new sources of clean energy. Space Solar Power gathers energy from sunlight in space and transmits it wirelessly and harmlessly to Earth. Space solar power can solve our energy and greenhouse gas emissions problems. Not just help, not just take a step in the right direction, but solve. Space solar power can provide large quantities of energy to each and every person on Earth with very little environmental impact.

The solar energy available in space is literally billions of times greater than what we use today. The lifetime of the sun is an estimated 4-5 billion years, making space solar power a truly long-term energy solution. As Earth receives only one part in 2.3 billion of the Sun's output, space solar power is by far the largest potential energy source available, dwarfing all others combined. Solar energy is routinely used on nearly all spacecraft today.

 We have other programs as well.  See space.nss.org/education/ for more information.

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Please join members Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Hugh Downs, Tom Hanks, Bruce Boxleitner, Tom Cruise and many illustrious others in helping by donating now.