[SpaceProgram] Very good news from discussion with the DARPA 100YSS program manager tonight

[cole santos]

I may speak for myself here, but not all makers are opposed to
applying for military contracts or doing military research. As a
preemtive strike here, I would argue that those who are opposed to it
are much louder than those who are not. I think that this would be an
amazing opportunity to strengthen the diplomatic relationships between
the participant countries which would promote trust and thus peace.

I think by dropping the 100YSS rights we actually set our selves free
to pursue a broad range of projects. I think that limiting ourselves
in anyway would be disadvantageous. I think that some may not want to
help military aims, however that military has prevented potential
global conflict since WW2. By helping the military we actually promote
peace. I would be interested in all 3 of the goals personally, however
I think that others may not want to pursue weapons. Platforms and
space systems seem relativity harmless... This RFP would be good for
space debris management, space manufacturing, drones (air, land, and
sea), etc. Interested to know if anyone else is game?



On Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 5:41 AM, Ricky Ng-Adam <rngadam at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello all!
>
> Talked to the program manager tonight, Paul Eremenko. They really liked our
> proposal but the story is that their hands were legally bound by the rules
> they had set originally of a single awardee that receives mainly the rights
> to the intellectual property of the 100YSS.
>
> But he strongly pointed me to another solicitation process that is a type of
> discretionary fund to be distributed by the director (who's really
> supportive of any effort towards interstellar travel):
>
> https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-BAA-11-13/listing.html
>
> (that's an award notice, but it's actually a bundle of solicitation with a
> section on space systems. The PDF is to the original).
>
> We can re-submit the 100YSS proposal mostly as-is (just adapted to this
> particular solication process), as long as we remove references to the
> 100YSS trademark. We would still (as the original plan) create a US
> non-profit, create a board of hackerspaces and distribute the funds globally
> from the original pool.
>
> However, this process may be an harder sale for some Hackerspaces.
> Contrarily to the 100YSS which concerned purely the creation of a separate
> benevolent  organization this one has very specific military intentions
> embedded in the type of things they are looking for. Of course, even 100YSS
> initial association with DARPA faced the same kind of opposition. However,
> this one will underline the tightrope between military and commercial
> systems and the overlap between both.
>
> So we have to keep the focus on the things that are to the benefit of the
> non-military side of this solication and make sure that whatever we do will
> tip towards benefiting humanity as a whole. This is important to involve as
> many hackerspaces internationally in a way that a majority can feel
> ethically good about - even if I expect some hackerspaces to just say no.
>
> I think that with a separate non-profit entity, an Hackerspaces directed
> project selection process and requirements towards OpenSource,
> OpenHardware of our developments we can make our proposal palatable to both
> DARPA and to the wider Hackerspaces community.
>
> Huei Ming: we'll need to update the doc. Could you put the final version
> text into Google Docs so we can collaboratively update it? Thanks
>
> I've bolded what I think are the relevant parts in the solicitation:
>
>> 3.   Advanced Space Systems
>> TTO is interested in innovative approaches across a wide range of space
>> technologies and
>> concepts which will enable assured rapid responsiveness, survivability,
>> surveillance, situational
>> awareness, sustainment, persistence, protection, tracking, communication,
>> navigation, early
>> warning, launch, on -orbit transfer, and control and efficiency in space
>> operations.  This also
>> includes  pioneering advancements in hybrid robotic/satellite technology,
>>  scalable fractionated
>> space systems, modular sensors and common architecture adaptable to
>> multiple vehicles and
>> structures, techniques that reduce launch costs, ultra light weight
>> extreme performance vehicles
>> and structures, innovative power generation for spacecraft, energy
>> management, and propulsion.
>
>
>>
>> 3.a Resilience in Space Operations
>> TTO is interested in advanced innovation which supports  existing force
>> structure and concepts  of
>> operations against  the disruption and degradation of capabilities
>> provided by space operations.
>> Our focus also includes adjunct payloads and an emphasis on the use of
>> autonomy to promote
>> minimal support, reduced logistics, rapid set-up and teardown for
>> operations, space system
>> protection, and maximum flexibility to control multiple mission types.
>>  Other areas of interest
>> involve staging platforms to support human servicing operations out to
>> geosynchronous orbits,
>> protection in high radiation environments,  pioneering space systems and
>> advanced concepts for
>> space power collection, storage, and space propulsion.  Key technologies
>> also include improving
>> the efficiency in space manufacturing processes, advanced nano and micro -
>> satellite technology.
>
>
>>
>> 3.b Assured Space Access
>> TTO is interested in technologies that provide a robust, reliable,
>> affordable, and inno vative
>> means for achieving access to   space.  Our focus is on revolutionizing
>> the responsiveness and
>> flexibility of space systems to include rapid and persistent "aircraft
>> -like" space access.  Our
>> interest also includes innovative launch systems and technologies
>> necessary to assure and sustain
>> future reliable efficient access to space.  Other TTO areas of interest
>> center on dramatically
>> improving affordability associated with space vehicle technologies that
>> enable access to a wide
>> range of altitudes and inclinations as well  as highly efficient on-orbit
>> maneuvers.
>
>
>>
>> 3.c  Stability
>> TTO is interested in technologies that provide measures to promote safe
>> and responsible
>> operations in space; improved information collection, communications, and
>> sharing of space
>> data; protection of critical space systems and supporting infrastructures
>> with special attention to
>> the critical interdependence of space and information systems.  Our
>> interest also includes
>> investment technologies to detect, mitigate, and increase resiliency to
>> harmful interference to
>> space communications systems and the Global Positioning System, as well as
>> alternative
>> approaches for their critical infrastructure, key resources, and mission
>> -essential functions.
>
>
> Thanks!
> --
> 伍思力 | Ricky Ng-Adam | http://xinchejian.com | (+86) 186-2126-2521
>
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