From: ChazEugene@aol.com
Received: by emout10.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) id VAA09409; Fri, 2 Aug 1996 21:49:51 -0400
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 21:49:51 -0400
Subject: Report: Gene Austin Event & Future Issues

                                                  REPORT

TO: Foundation BoD, ProSpace BoD & Friends
SUBJECT: Gene Austin 7/17 Speech & Future Issues

Jim Muncy asked me to report on Gene Austin's June 17th speech, and *in
particular* the remarks I made afterward about roadblocks in the way of
"Cheap Access to Space."  

Gene's speech about X-33 was informative (what did you expect -- he always
does them well).  The main points he made to the 35-40 people in attendance
were:

  1) He would be emphasizing "trust" and "partnership" as the key focus of the 
     relationship between NASA and Lockheed.  Just like it used to be in the '60s.

  2) Lockheed (not NASA) would make the decision on whether Lockheed would 
     go with Phase III, or not.  (CMiller NOTE: This means Lockheed could 
     decide to *not* go forward with Phase III. I say this is an acceptable
     result.)

  3) This was the first time someone of the stature of the Vice President of 
     the United States announced a winning contractor team.  

  4) "I have not missed a deadline in years, and our deadline for first flight is
     March 1, 1999.  We are not going to miss it."  (sic)  

  5) Gene quoted Goldin's statement of August 1995, "NASA wants out of the
     launch business" in response to a question from the audience.

  6) In response to another question, he said the X-33, with its payload bay,
     would be capable of placing 3,500 lbs. into LEO w/ a Star 48, "but we 
     will not allow it."  "If Lockheed want to use an X-33 as an operational
     vehicle, they will have to build another vehicle." (sic)

MAIN POINTS:

   Gene gave a fine presentation which everybody enjoyed.  I then ended the
evening with a "Note of Caution" and "An Opportunity for Action."

I reminded the audience (again) that:

      "although X-33 is an important "program" it is not what we in the 
       Foundation and the Golden Gate Space Frontier Society are supporting.
       We are supporting "Cheap Access to Space" and "opening the frontier for 
       the PEOPLE." 

                                   Note of Caution

        "Now I would like to leave you with a 'Note of Caution'

  1)  "First, the X-33 may not work.  It's an X-vehicle, and things happen.

  2)  "Second, and more important, the X-33 may work, but we may not get 
      'Cheap Access to Space' in the end.  What we might get is one very big 
       company which dominates the space field, and lowers the price just 
       enough to capture the market, and makes *huge* monopoly profits.
       'This is not 'Cheap Access to Space.' 

       "But if this happens, don't blame the company.  We should blame ourselves.

       "It is our responsibility, as citizens of this country, to open the frontier.
       If we want something, it is our responsibility to step forward and make it 
       happen.

       "What we really need is 'competition!'  Nothing acts better to drive down 
       prices, and drive up quality and customer satisfaction than 'competition.'

       "And in this spirit, I am publicly announcing a new initiative of the Space
       Frontier Foundation and ProSpace.  We are starting a new national campaign
       we call **X-Fleets!** As citizens we are going to step forward and fight for
       a whole new series of X-programs, with new energetic teams, to fly and demonstrate
       new ideas. And we are not going to stop until we blacken the skies with X-vehicles."

       "In conclusion, this is your opportunity to act as an American citizen and to get
       involved.   

                                         Opportunity for Action

      1) "First, I invite you to come to our Hollywood conference on October 
         18-20th. Registration forms are on the table outside. 

      2) "Second, I invite you to join ProSpace and the Friends of the Foundation
         in Washington, DC in March of 1997 when we will take our message to the leaders
	 of this great country.

         "Goodnight, and I hope you enjoyed this evening's presentation.

                                       ** Conclusion of Report **

I want to make the same point here I made to everybody at that meeting.

  ** It is NOT Lockheed's responsibility to give us "Cheap Access to Space" and 
     we should not blame Lockheed because it acts like a large old-style corporation
     which likes large profits, low risk, and government guarantees.  
     That is like kicking a dog because it barks.

  ** It is our responsibility, as American citizens, to achieve CATS 
     -- and *only* ours.  100% Ours --> Zero (0)% Lockheed's.

If we have *any* concerns about whether "Cheap Access to Space" is going to
happen, then we should get involved now, and take action.

Onward and Upwards!

   - Chaz

Charles Miller
Vice President, Space Frontier Foundation
President, ProSpace


       PS - For those who don't know, "ProSpace" is a non-profit (501-c4)
citizen's lobbying organization and will be managing the Spring 1997 "March"
on Washington, DC by those who want to "Open the Space Frontier."
      ProSpace is assuming responsibility for this annual project from the
Foundation because it was so successful in 1996 - and could jeopardize the
Foundation's 501-c3 status as it gets larger. (40 citizens briefed 203
congressional offices in 1996.)

ProSpace has set a goal of at least 100 citizens briefing 250 congressional
offices in 1997.  We hope each and every one of you will choose to
participate.  

                               **Two Opportunities for Action**

1) Please mark the week of "March 9-14, 1997" on your calendar now, and make
plans to join us in our nation's capitol to take action on our dreams.

2) Join us in Hollywood, Octoboer 18-20th for "Space Frontier Conference V:
Your Ticket to Ride".  Email Mark Holthaus at "holthaus@ix.netcom.com" for 
registration information.  

      And invite your friends.

******************************************************

     Solve the small problem before it becomes big.
     The most involved fact in the world
     could have been faced when it was simple.
     The biggest problem in the world 
     could have been solved when it was small.

             Lao Tzu, 604 BC
             "The Way of Life"