1. The National Space Society: Overview for COMSTAC National Space Society 1620 I St., S.W. Suite 615 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 429-1600 (202) 463-8498 (fax) www.nss.org George T. Whitesides, Executive Director October 27, 2004

2. Updated October 27, 2004 NSS: At a Glance Independent nonprofit organization dedicated to the permanent settlement of space Founded in 1974 by Wernher von Braun 20,000 member-subscribers Publisher of Ad Astra, leading magazine on space 50 chapters in the US and around the world

3. Updated October 27, 2004 Vision and Mission  OUR VISION: People living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth  OUR MISSION: To promote social, economic, technological, and political change, to advance the day when humans will live and work in space

4. Updated October 27, 2004 Board of Governors Hugh Downs, Chairman Mark Albrecht Buzz Aldrin Robert Allnut Lance Bass Alan Binder Frank Borman Ben Bova Bruce Boxleitner Gerald P. Carr Sir Arthur C. Clarke Tom Cruise Michael DeBakey K. Eric Drexler Freeman Dyson Edward R. Finch Aaron Freeman Don Fuqua Newt Gingrich Peter Glaser John Glenn Tom Hanks Shelley A. Harrison Robert Jastrow John Johnson Arthur Kantrowitz John S. Lewis James Lovell Robert McCall Marvin Minsky Nichelle Nichols Frederick Ordway Bill Pogue Majel Barrett Roddenberry Harrison Schmitt Frederick Seitz Michael Simpson John B. Slaughter James A.Van Allen Maria von Braun Glen P.Wilson James B.Wyeth

5. Updated October 27, 2004 Recent Government Action Moon Mars Blitz  In coordination with other organizations, brought 75+ citizens to Capitol Hill to discuss space with Congressional members and staff  Annual event Space Events during Conventions  In Boston during DNC  In New York during RNC Petition and letter drives  Supporting space exploration and other issues

6. Updated October 27, 2004 Suborbital Legislation Over the past 18 months, NSS has worked with industry leaders and others to build consensus on suborbital legislation NSS supports passage of HR 3752, and has co-signed letters of support this year We believe it is in the best interest of the United States to encourage and foster this new industry We seek to enable our members to experience space as soon as possible

7. Updated October 27, 2004 NSS and Space Tourism NSS members were the first private individuals to buy their own seats on Zero Gravity Corp.’s parabolic service NSS chartered one of the first flights  Thank you, FAA, for making this possible!

8. Updated October 27, 2004 Annual Conference In 2005, NSS annual conference will be held in Washington, D.C.  Theme is Your Ticket to Space*  May 18-22 Bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and the general public to discuss the future of the space industry and space tourism Held in coordination with the NSS legislative conference * Phrase licensed from X PRIZE Foundation

9. Updated October 27, 2004 Need More Information? GEORGE T. WHITESIDES Executive Director, National Space Society 1620 I St., NW ▪ Suite 615 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 429-1600 ▪ (202) 463-8498 (fax) george@nss.org ▪ www.nss.orggeorge@nss.orgwww.nss.org