Space Mission Analysis and Design: Chapter 1

I've had a really large stack of books from my school's library that I've not read, so I'm going to read these books and apply what I learn to space habitation. This post will look at chapters 1 through 5 of Space Mission Analysis and Design[affiliate link], second edition. I'm also going to try out Amazon affiliates program, just to see if you, the readers, riot.  *Puts on riot helmet and holds up shield*

Chapter 1: The Space Mission Analysis and Design Process

This chapter is of use when studying space settlement because it teaches us how to complete mission objectives with the lowest cost possible. This is import to learn because of the demonstrated lack of business sense in space commercialization plans.

On page 2, there is an important quote: "there is strong pressure to proceed to ever greater detail, and never revise a decision once it haw been made...we must also review the mission design regularly for better ways to achieve the mission objectives". From my view of the space community, this maybe a problem. There are a ton of politics around the space program that force it to remain on a path once that path is set. I point to the cancellation of the Ares program. While there should be an active debate on whether or not to follow Obama's plan, the discussion should not consider the money already spent on the system. It is simply better to waste money in the short term for the long term savings gained by a more efficient system...if we can prove the it is more efficient. This will be a big deal in space settlement because of the massive amounts of money that will be involved, scraping the design of a space habit could mean millions in wasted designing time. But, if it means a better, more profitable space settlement, we must be willing to let go.


The author then goes on to say that "[n]early any mission is technically feasible...[however] we must select each space mission, not to achieve something that could not have been done before, but to achieve something that should be done or is worth doing" (Page 5). This is important because space settlement lies on that line. The author gives the example of a forest fire tracking system that could be tackled by aircraft or ground crew, the same is true of space habitation. For the cost of settling space, we could easily mount a massive planetary defence program, start huge recycling programs, being to develop extremely efficiently cities that can support themselves and develop other Earth bound technology to tackle the same problems that space habitation tackles. In order for space settlement to pass this type of engineering analysis, it must bring something to the table that nothing on Earth can do...that will be difficult to do.

This chapter also discusses the need to consider the hidden agendas when planning a mission, I've never considered this before. Space settlement would have a vast number of political and social meanings that must be addressed in order for the project to be successful. This means that we must consider what effects a space settlement will have on world dynamics; an international effort could mean peace, thus less need for armour and weapons, but a imperial space settlement mission could require the need for a heavy military structure. We would need to be able to accept a space habitat's position as the first, and many only, source of aid for stranded and injured space explorers.

Finally, when reading this chapter, I felt chills at the thought that the space habitation movement may only still be in conceptional design. I would need to be a master to make that call, but it is something that worries me.

Right, I'm just beta testing this format, if this blog isn't in flames by morning, I'm going to write posts that detail 5 chapters at a time; these books are really dense. I just wanted to get a feel for the audience. Feel free to leave me a comment below, or at-least use the check boxes at the bottom to give me feedback...I need it, badly.

Mediocre Dip

I just read Seth Godin's The Dip. I'm working on applying his thoughts to the space movement and humanity's pursuit of space flight. But, I ran into a problem. The book incorporates the idea of mediocrity; basically, if your mediocre, you should quit. There's the problem, can anything NASA does be mediocre? Can anything at the cutting edge be mediocre? We're building rockets and going to space, can that be mediocre in anyway? I think it can, I think you could build a mediocre rocket, but that's a tough claim to prove.

What do you think? Can you be at the cutting edge and be mediocre?

My Revolution - The Habitation Revolution

Today is my 18th birthday. So, as my first action as an adult, I think the most responsible action is to plan my future. Today, I am going to write about the part of my plan for life most relevant to this blog, my space habitation dream. This post is based on the Illuminated Mind post titled How to Start a Revolution.

Photo by Lincolnian (Brian)

If I make my work, my blog and the reason that I go to school, bigger then me, then I will be unstoppable. I will be riding a wave of energy and passion, not only emitting from me, but flowing from everyone else who works on this. I feel it already, I wake up excited and ready to work on this dream. But, I'm like a fire hose without anyone holding onto it. I spew around with enough energy to put out a fire, but I'm not aimed at the fire. I need to clear direction to be effective. We need a clear direction.

Morning Passion

When I wake up, I will turn off the alarm on my blackberry. Then, I will scroll though my Google alerts relating to space and space habitation. These e-mails wake me up, reading these ideas gives me an energy that surpasses a cup of coffee. I can't explain it, but reading the life and passion spilled onto virtual paper by those in the space movement gives me strength. But, I don't step up on my soapbox after this inspiring wave. I will wait till the end of the day to blog. I feel this prevents the soul tied passion that I have for space. So, for this reason, I will start waking up early in the morning and allowing the passion of the space community to flow though me with it's full force.

Is This a Revolution?

The Illuminated Mind asks some interesting questions that, I think, lay a solid base for a revolution. I will try to answer them, but I am explaining my emotions. So, they maybe rough.

• "It has to be something you care deeply about and would be willing to devote your life to."

I think I answered this already, but, space habitation is what gets me up in the morning. This is why I go to school and study. This is why I plan to loss weight (no one would let me fight in a rocket at 220 pounds, yet I want to live in space. Time to hit the gym *nervous laughter*) My moral structure is based on space habitation. In short, everything I do is because of space habitation. I stopped watching TV because of this, I keep my skills sharp because of this idea. I find my self talking about space habitation all the time (I even annoyed my friends once, but I just fail at social life)

• "It should be something that will help other people."

Passion given to a human being is priceless. In addition to all the economic benefits, this movement will help humanity in other ways. Space is the one thing where we can fail pitifully and still positively impact the world. A rocket launching into space and inspiring a kid to work a little harder in school can not be priced. By working on space, we let humanity dream. This alone is worth our efforts. But, there are great benefits to space habitation. Furthermore, by opening up a new frontier to the world, a global sense of hope will be restored on this depressed species.

• "It should have a long term impact."
• "It has to be remarkable; it has to be worth sharing and bigger than you."

Becoming a spacefaring species would have a huge impact. Our very societies will change for the better. The world will have a reason to turn their guns away from each other and work together. Humanity will have infinite space in expand. We will always have a frontier if we accomplish this dream.

• " Your revolution must have a distinctive quality to it that is caused by you working in it. It wouldn’t be the same if someone else did it. But it is definitely a collective movement created by similar values."

I use the word space habitation as opposed to space colonization to get across a fundamental idea and belief that I have; what I think this idea should entail. If we colonize space we will only drag only a mindset which has only caused humans trouble. But, if we make space our home; if we make space our habitat , then we will treat it with respect and dignity. I believe that if we approach the new age, a space age, with a new mindset we could fix every problem humanity has. This can not be about economic exploitation, this has to be about home. That wording is a reflection of my values and what makes my movement unique.

Reviews of Progress

I have no idea what I'm doing. I love this quote from the blog post because it reflects the reason behind my wondering's: "constant movement in the direction of what you might think your vision is, that you’ll find what your true vision is". So, yes I don't know what I'm doing, but I will use New Year's and my birthday as times to review my progress and review the lessons my wondering's have taught me. All I know is that I'm passionate about the idea of space habitation, how to use this passion is a different story. But, this is good. Because I can not wait for clarity to begin this movement. I have a hazy picture in my mind of my dream, but I will still spirit towards it. Luckily, for me, I blog about my passion. This will lead to generating the questions which will bring focus to this hazy imagine in my mind.

A proposed flag for the supporters of the space habitation/colonization movement. Find out more at http://www.spaceflag.com/

Ideas For The Revolution

This is a list of all the ideas I'm cooking up to make the public more aware of space habitation and to generate excitement around this idea.

• Habitation Intention: The Book - one of the things I want to do before I leave college is to write a book on space habitation. I want to have it published for the next presidential campaigns in an attempt to put this idea in the spotlight. I want to spend to first year of college researching on space habitation, the second year writing the book, the third year perfecting the book and having varies people try to rip apart to book's argument and the fourth year promoting the book. I want this to be the perfect argument in support of space habitation.
• Working Title: Space Advocacy for The Space Cadet - After participating in Problogger's 31 Days to a Better Blog, I had this idea. I want to spend 31 days and write a blog series that will train my readers into strong space advocates. Then, I want to make a free e-workbook out of the 31 blog posts. I imagine this workbook being handed out at various space related conventions and meetings. Having a united roadmap will make the space community's efforts more effective. I will run this event every year, adding new tasks and keeping the roadmap fresh.
• Speaking - As soon as I get transportation, I want to start speaking about space habitation. I've been told I'm a great speaker and passionate. I really feel my writing does not convey my passion for the topic and when I'm speaking I feel the passion is me is transferring to the audience without interruption. I want to do it for free because I'm just a kid and not worth getting paid. Plus, I'm going to be using my hosts to spread my message and learning how to speak better.
• Space Habitation blogger union - there are a few blogs on space habitation and colonization out there. I think we should unite and share our resources. Maybe this could even lead to a magazine.
• Every revolution needs a manifesto, so I'm going to write one as soon as I feel worthy enough to write one.

I would like to leave you with Faith of the Heart by Russell Watson, what I consider the Anthem of the Space Movement. I really need your input for this plan. Do you think my revolution is a good idea? Thank you for reading!