Reading the plans for a one-way mission to an Earth-like planet in the future led me an even more delightful discovery -- The Tau Zero Foundation. The TZF is not an advocacy group, but an organization who will try to "convince the government to show more wisdom by consistently investing in humanity's future."
But that's a huge objective, so how will they go about it?
"Using the dream of reaching other worlds as both a long-range goal and a catalyst for near-term progress, the Tau Zero Foundation supports incremental advancements in science, technology, and education. As a private nonprofit (501c3) corporation, supported mainly through philanthropic donations, the Foundation seeks out and directs support to the best practitioners who can make credible progress toward this incredible goal and educate the public during this journey of discovery."
The Tau Zero Foundations activities states their goal of reaching toward the stars "...includes scientists and engineers working the technical challenges, sociologists and anthropologists addressing the implications for humanity, journalists and educators who inform the public on technical progress and its consequences, science fiction writers and producers who use this material to inspire future generations, and entrepreneurs who keep an eye open for revenue generation."
Who is involved? Marc G. Millis, a rocket scientist who founded and led NASA’s Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project from 1996-2002, along with over thirty other professionals including scientists, engineers, educators, fiction authors, journalists, and artists, including Karen Anderson, widow of the late Poul Anderson who wrote the novel Tau Zero, journalist Paul Gilster whose Centauri Dreams site keeps abreast of interstellar developments.
Curious to learn more? (Yeah, I was too!)
Even if the organization's advancement of space exploration doesn't particularly interest you, the site provides a good assortment of material and graphics to get the muse thrusters firing for any SFR writer. Want to explore generation starships? Project Icarus? Undiscovered physics? You can check out Tau Zero Foundation and its initiatives below:
Recommended Reading (see reference books for your SFR projects)
"ad astra incrementis"
This Latin phrase means:
"to the stars in steps, where each is greater than before."
Very cool, Laurie. Thanks for the reporting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your story, Laurie. Much appreciated! Your own enthusiasm for deep space seems to parallel our own, a very nice thing to see. I'm just back from a Tau Zero meeting in Austin -- expect some changes to the primary Web site in coming weeks and new projects that will emerge in the first quarter of 2011.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit to Spacefreighters Lounge and your comments, Paul. We truly appreciate you stopping by our humble blog.
ReplyDeleteAs science fiction romance writers, space exploration is something we all yearn to see become a reality. Maybe writing our novels will help keep the possibilities of space travel in the hearts and minds of the reading public.
I'll look forward to seeing the updates to the Tau Zero web site and reading about the new projects. :)
Like Paul, I'm also grateful for your kind words. It helps my motivation.
ReplyDeleteMarc Millis
Thank you so much for commenting, Marc. We are very honored by your visit.
ReplyDeleteThe Tau Zero Foundation's goals are something I think most SF/SFR writers can relate to, since our novels are all about where mankind might go, both physically and mentally, in the future.
The setbacks in our space program are a major concern as our government's interest in manned space exploration seems to be headed into a fatal stall. Organizations like Tau Zero Foundation might be our best hope in keeping the dream alive for the millions who still believe our future lies in the stars.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to visit our blog.