Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy

Jerry E. Pournelle, Ph.D., Chairman

August 10, 1997 Meeting

The Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy was formed in 1980 and prepared much of the Reagan Administration Transition Team policy papers on space. Meetings were held in the Tarzana home of author Larry Niven and hosted by Mrs. Marilyn Niven, and later at the home of Dr. Jerry Pournelle and hosted by Mrs. Roberta Pournelle. About 50 attended each Council meeting, although some meetings ran as large as 90 attendees. These included astronauts (including Buzz Aldrin, Gerald Carr, Fred Haise, Phil Chapman, Pete Conrad), aerospace industry executives (including George Merrick, George Gould, Gordon Woodcock), aerospace entrepreneurs (including Garry Hudson, George Koopman), space scientists and engineers (including Lowell Wood, G. Harry Stine, Eric Laursen, Chuck Lindley, James Benford, and Max Hunter), military officers (including Lt. General Daniel O. Graham, USA Ret'd, Brigadier General Robert Richardson, USAF Ret'd, Brigadier General Stewart Meyer, USA Ret'd, Col. Jack Coakley, USA Ret'd., and Col. Francis X. Kane, USAF Ret'd), computer scientists (including Marvin Minsky, Danny Hillis, and John McCarthy), science fiction authors (including Poul Anderson, Greg Bear, Robert Heinlein, Greg Benford, Dean Ing, Steve Barnes), and publisher Jim Baen. The Council held regular meetings and reported to the National Security Advisor through 1988, and with General Daniel O. Graham's High Frontier organization prepared much of the Strategic Defense Initiative materials that resulted in the March 23, 1983 SDI speech by President Reagan and the subsequent adoption of the SDI policy and formation of the Strategic Defense Initiative Office in the Pentagon.

On Febreuary 15, 1989, Dr. Pournelle, General Graham, and Max Hunter reported to Vice President J. Danforth Quayle (as Chairman of the National Space Council) on the possibilities of SSX, an experimental spacecraft. A scale model of SSX was constructed and flown at White Sands. Launched as the DC/X, after General Graham's death it was renamed Clipper Graham.

No formal meetings were held between 1988 and 1997, although there was informal discussion of space policy through electronic conferencing.

Council membership and meetings are invitational only, and we are not seeking new members. Dr. Goldin, as an active duty public official, is not at present a member of the Council but took part in the recent meeting discussions.

In honor of Pathfinder Mrs. Niven and her staff prepared a "Mars Cake", viewed here by NASA Administrator Dan Goldin.

Dr. Goldin with Larry and Marilyn Niven:

And with Dr. and Mrs. Pournelle:

Dr. Lowell Wood, formerly of Livermore, and Astronaut Pete Conrad listen to a report;

More when the report is done.