[Moonbase-discuss] Space Tourism Club: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Samuel Coniglio spaceman@mindspring.com
Mon, 24 Jun 2002 00:38:07 -0700


Andrew:

It would be nice to set up a "space travelers academy" a'la Space 
Camp for space tourists in a place like the Presidio. The irony of 
the Star Trek reference would not go unnoticed by the hard core trek 
folks.

Let's start by getting interested folks together.  In a recent email, 
I asked if Moonbase was doing another seminar.  Then  I could present 
my ideas and we can do some brainstorming.

Sam


At 2:29 PM -0700 6/19/02, Andrew Dehel wrote:
>I like this idea - it sounds great to me.  It also reminds me of an idea
>that I haven't known quite what to do with, which I hope this is a good
>place to share.  I am going to ramble for a moment to get this all down.
>
>The Presidio Trust has been trying and trying to come up with what to do
>with much of the land there, and every time I think of it, I am reminded
>that StarFleet Academy is located on that site in the series.  I imagine
>starting the Academy there, now, somehow.  Kind of setting the foundation to
>bring that future into existence more solidly.
>
>I get stopped in thinking of what would be the exact nature of it.  I am
>somewhat anti-business currently and generally, so I am disinclined to think
>of putting a museum or attraction there as part of it, but I know that could
>be a part and I am willing to consider the business model as just part of
>the world we live in.  But primarily I would be interested in founding it to
>spark the imagination of people and begin the journey in a more concrete way
>into the future I wanted to live in growing up.
>
>A research institute?  A philosophical academy?  A social and environmental
>school?  A school for dreamers?  Hobbyists?  Inventors?  All of this?
>
>And possible tie-ins with the new Lucasfilm complex being built?
>
>I think this could be a fantastic thing.  There are so many star trek fans
>out there, and San Francisco's Presidio *IS* the location in the series.  I
>know there is much that was cheesy about it.  But sometimes this just seems
>like the perfect thing to do there.  *I* would want to go to Starfeet
>Academy. :)  It could change the world...
>
>Anyone want to talk about it and see what opens up?  How could this work?
>Does this sound interesting to anyone?
>
>I have often thought that Science Fiction writers have a big say in creating
>the future.  Someone said that humans have to imagine things before they can
>have them or be that way.
>
>-=Drew
>
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>From:	moonbase-discuss-admin@themoonbase.org
>[mailto:moonbase-discuss-admin@themoonbase.org]  On Behalf Of Samuel
>Coniglio
>Sent:	Wednesday, June 12, 2002 2:08 AM
>Subject:	[Moonbase-discuss] Space Tourism Club: An Idea Whose 
>Time Has Come
>
>Hello fellow space enthusiasts!
>
>The Yuri's Night event in San Francisco helped stir a number of great
>discussions.  The most common one of them was this:
>
>"What can I do to get to outer space? "
>
>Well, if you are not a NASA astronaut or a multi-millionaire, it
>seems you are out of luck. Fortunately, there are a series of
>movements afoot to bring public space travel closer to a reality.
>
>Most of you know me from Yuri's night, and possibly the Space
>Frontier Foundation. But did you know I have been doing research on
>space tourism since 1997, and have presented papers at international
>conferences on this topic?  This tidbit of information leads to my
>proposal:
>
>Create a club where people can invent the future.
>
>Aptly named the Space Tourism Club, we can have a venue where people
>can use their creative talents to dream, design, and build a
>space-faring society.
>
>There are several challenges to space travel, but I won't bog this
>email down with details.
>
>Here are some concepts, based on the five senses, which people with
>differing talents can try to tackle:
>
>1. Sight--current and past space habitats tend to be sterile and
>utilitarian. Create a more organic and comfortable orbital
>environment with colors and shapes that are fun.
>2. Sound--spacecraft are very noisy.  Be an ambient engineer and
>create counter sounds. Music is a necessity to add to a space
>traveler's enjoyment of the visit to the space hotel.
>3. Taste--Without gravity, your blood is evenly distributed through
>the body. Food tastes different up there.  Can you create cuisine
>that is equal or better than what we have down here? Imagine a six
>star restaurant in Earth orbit.  People will pay for such quality.
>4. Touch--Space environments are harsh.  Why not use softer materials
>for certain items?  Clothing can be designed differently as well.
>Imaging clothing designed for zero gravity (can you say wings?).
>5. Smell--Ventilation systems are critical for survival in space.
>People and materials have scents that collect in a small space, just
>like in a submarine.  Can you make perfume that neutralizes the
>scents? Things smell different up there, because of the blood
>redistribution in your body. Can you make a new smell?
>
>These concepts are deliberately abstract.  I just wanted to give you
>a little inspiration.
>
>About the club:
>1. It could be a 501c3 non-profit group.
>2. It could be a business incubator.
>3. We could have contests and programs for local schools and universities.
>4. We would present our work at the annual Space Tourism Society
>meeting, and other events.
>5. Each person should do what they like.
>6. The club could be a loose-knit association.
>
>I'm open to suggestions.
>
>Please email me if you are interested in this activity.  We could
>discuss it online, and maybe actually meet someplace.
>
>If you are not interested, then please ignore this email.  I will not
>bother you again on this topic.
>
>For more information and inspiration, please refer to the following web
>sites:
>http://www.spacefuture.com
>http://www.spaceadventures.com
>http://www.xprize.org
>http://www.space-frontier.org
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Samuel Coniglio
>Space Tourism Club
>
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>--"Wherever you go, there you are."
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--"Wherever you go, there you are."