Season Recap

Yesterday saw the end of a successful rookie season in the Guelph under 7 soccer league for Taj Dyson.

He completed the year with 1 goal as a forward and only 1 goal against as a goal keeper.

When asked what he thought of the season and soccer in general he replied: “I really liked playing soccer, I had a very fun season. I just like this game.”

What a soccer summer!

NASA Ames, Day 4

Well the conference has now come to an end. As I mentioned in the last post, the final day consisted of presentations given by representatives of each of the main working groups. Very encouraging, and eye opening, to me was that of the 6 presenters 4 were from Canada (and at a NASA event, eh).

I will give just a few points from each of the group’s reports to give you a flavour of what was discussed. There will be two documents drafted from these reports to be forwarded to the NASA exploration directive, one for Lunar and one for Mars exploration. I am working with the group that is drafting the moon paper. Stay tuned for updates on the state of theses documents.

The Asteroid group pointed out two areas of concern with regards to asteroids, the threat of asteroid collision with earth and the possibility of using asteroids for human settlement. They made the recommendation that there should be a narrowing of the detection radius to focus on real catastrophic threats. They also called for student led projects to explore the possibilities of using asteroids as settlements and vehicles, perhaps using the existing Centennial Challenge framework.

The Cis- Lunar group dealt with issues related to the exploration and utilisation of everything within the Earth-Moon system. They highlighted environmental, policy, settlement, and economic issues. They recommended that there must be funding for cross-disciplinary funding for a common planetary exploration program. Paramount in the advancement of space technologies is that more private industry be used to provide services to the space agencies and that once government facilities are established on outer-space bodies that these facilities are transferred to private interests. Also raised was the issue of the lessening of restrictions on the transfer of intellectual property across international borders and the assurance of the ownership of intellectual property for researchers on government lunar facilities. They emphasized that acceptance by the general public of the costs and risks of space exploration and settlement would not be possible without the message that settlement is a primary objective and indeed required for the long term survival of the human species. They suggested that outreach should be comprised of identifying the space industry technologies that are transferred to daily life and that this would best be served by educating current media sources as well as utilising new media outlets to showcase space travel.

The Earth 3.0 group concerned themselves with the possible next steps in the evolution of humanity. They called for the establishment of a standing advisory board that would report to the space agencies. They envisioned that human-nature interaction would be a fundamental principle of space exploration and that to explore is an inately human characteristic. They see the need for new/improved means of communication so that ideas, words, and emotions could be better understood across languages and cultures. They recommended outreach efforts that emphasized a space vision statements with Earth focus and that these efforts should involve non-science/engineering disciplines.

The Mars Science and Exploration group addressed the questions: Why Mars? And if Mars then how to prepare? They outlined that Mars is the perfect location to search for life (a possible second genesis), to characterize a planetary system other than ours (thus giving us that all important second data point on the planetary scale), to study the evolution of the solar system, and to test human biological limits. Mars also has the unique opportunity to unite international communities and help to define humanity’s place int he universe. They also contend that Mars provides many economic benefits such as the provision of new energy resources and the potential for tourism. The group layed out a plan for pre-Mars strategies such as the development of a system of milestones that should be met before a mission to Mars, the facilitation of international cooperation, the involvement of all facets of society. They also point out that the public should be informed of the risks of such an endeavor but that it is of fundamental importance that the risks be taken. This last statement reminds me of an example given to our group by Chris McKay last Tuesday (paraphrasing) “if you stand in the middle of a freeway you are taking a large risk, but that is stupid, if you survive you get nothing out of it, however if you climb a mountain there is also a risk, but if you survive the risks you get a marvelous view of new vistas”.

The Virtual Exploration group identified a technology that is already present yet is not being utilized to the potential that it can be in the space exploration realm. There are many examples of virtual worlds in existence over the internet that could be tapped into to promote space exploration. They highlighted that these virtual worlds could be used for public outreach, environmental simulations and presentation, communication, and increasing productivity. In the area of mission planning, the group identified that virtual simulations could be used before, during, and after missions. Their immediate action plans involve the identifying of useful existing technologies and performing trial runs on their usefulness in the promotion of space exploration.

The Mars Settlement and Society group (of which I was a member) identified five themes that must be addressed for the successful execution of Mars settlement. These are: the development of human subsystems, the design of habitats, the building of communities, the creation of stakeholders, and a philosophical framework for exploration. We came to the conclusion that humans living on Mars will be intrinsically different from humans living on Earth, from physiology to philosophy. Medicines, surgery and exercise activities will have to be adapted due to the radiation and reduced gravity conditions. These adaptations will have to be examined first with near Earth analogues and then eventually by sortie missions to Mars. The far side of the Moon could also be used as a psychological analogue for the isolation of living on a planet where the Earth will not be seen (a well documented comfort to inhabitants of the International Space Station). Habitats on Mars will have to be able to withstand radiation and micro-meteorite impacts. The first habitats, erected during the initial sortie missions, should be modular, thus enabling for the growth of interconnected habitats that would then be used for the permanent inhabitants. Communities on Mars will have to become autonomous from Earth due to the shear distance involved. A major theme for all the groups in the conference was outreach and this was not lost on our group. We were very much convinced that stakeholders in space exploration must be identified and that each of these groups should be made aware that they do hold a stake in space exploration and habitation of the solar system and beyond.

After the presentations and open discussions we were all delighted to hear that we were all invited to tour the winery established by George Cooper (who just happens to be the second human to break the sound barrier). Turns out that two of the Girl Scouts who were invited to participate in the group workshops happen to be his granddaughters. We were treated to an explanation of wine-making techniques by Colonel Cooper himself, who confessed that test piloting came much easier to him than wine-making, however he doen’t have to worry about his engine cutting out at 30,000 ft.

So all in all I had a great time out here in the Silicon Valley. Perhaps I am being nieve, but I really think that a good portion of the work done over the past three days will be taken seriously by NASA and the other world agencies to help shape the strategy for exploration. Indeed it was my impression that NASA really has no real clue as to how to sell a space program. The Apollo program is always sited as the climax of the space program. At that time there was a cold war going on and the rational for getting to the Moon was clear: beat the Soviets to it. It seems that the American people bought into that (to the tune of 30% of the federal budget), they do not seem to be buying into finding water ice on the Moon though (they are upset at a request to increase the 1% current allotment to NASA). Many of the above suggestions speak to this disconnect. It is my belief, and that of most of the delegates this past week, that it is imperative for the prosperity of all life on this planet that we explore and inhabit the solar system and beyond. I sincerely hope that I can maintain the momentum that I was infused with these past few days and continue to push for a Canadian exploration agenda back home, and that the officials who will read the conference documents get back to us so that a feedback loop is created that will push forward the exploration agenda.

Thank you for reading, next stop Valencia.

NASA Ames, Day 3

Ok, so the nitty gritty really got going on this day.

Our group split into 5 subgroups to discuss recommendations for the long term vision of Mars exploration and eventual permanent habitation.

I participated in the group that examined the human subsystems required to achieve these goals. Items discussed included the short term (getting there) missions that would be science driven and the long term habitation effort (staying there).

Our recommendations, along with those from the other groups, will be compiled into a document that will be presented to the exploration planing office at NASA.

Day 4 will be comprised of presentations from each of the main groups.

I must say I have been impressed by the intellect, passion, and cooperation of all the delegates attending this conference. It is truly amazing that folks from all over the world can get together and in a matter of a few days pool their resources and work toward a common goal, the expansion of human presence in and beyond the solar system, without prejudice or paranoia. I can’t think of a more fruitful time in history. These past few days have given me renewed hope that the world is going to rest in good hands and that when we leave it, it will be because we wish to, not because we have to.

NASA Ames photos

NASA Ames, day 2

The conference kicked off with a series of talks discussing the shape of space exploration from 3 perspectives.

Jeff Volosin, from the NASA exploration office, spoke of the themes and objectives of the Moon exploration strategy. In a nutshell it breaks down to this:

Themes: Why go to the moon?

Core:

1. Stepping stone to Mars.
2. Address questions about the Universe.
3. Eventual settlement.

Crosscutting:

1. Economic sphere expansion.
2. Global partners.
3. Inspire/educate public

Objectives:

What to do there?
ex. test human physiology at 1/6 g. Links back to theme of stepping stone to Mars.

Piero Messina, from the ESA Aurora project, spoke about the international cooperation inherent in space exploration.

International cooperation

1. contractual obligations will help exploration objectives transend national adminstration/regime changes.
2. Division of labour and redundancy
3. gap filling

International Core Themes (Montreal meeting 2006)

1. serve public policies
2. new markets for private sector
3. expand global partnerships
4. address fundamental questions about the solar system

Jim Dator, profesor of future studies at Hawaii University, spoke of the possible futures that space exploration could take. We could end up as Icarus and “fly too high” never to return again. Or alternatively living in space may be a logical expansion and evolution.

In the afternoon we seperated into our working groups. The group that I am taking part in is called “Mars Settlement and Society”. Our first task was to go through a spreedsheet that was drawn up at a space agency conference in Montreal to lay out the objectives for the moon exploration missions. We examined the document and made suggestions relating to how the moon mission would link to eventual missions to Mars.

NASA Ames, day 1

As advertised I am taking part in the Next Generation Space Exploration conference at NASA Ames research center, Moffett Field CA. I was a little disapointed that Captain Picard did not show up. (ha,ha,ha)

Anyway, the fist day was spend getting oriented to my surroundings and being prohibitted from walking freely about the “base” in search of the cafeteria. Turns out the cafeteria is in the secure government portion of the compound, so in a fit of desperate hunger (after spending the whole previous day starving on airplanes as I was not allowed to bring my snacks on the aircraft as appently a terrorist cell has found a way to detonate cream cheese and fudge cookies, and airport security just wants to be sure well, I should watch what I type as:

 

 

Ames Guest Network

WARNING! This is a US Government computer. This system is for the use of authorized users only. By accessing and using the computer system you are consenting to system monitoring, including the monitoring of keystrokes. Unauthorized use of, or access to, this computer system may subject you to disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.)

I ate this:

So, with bloated stomach and clogged arteries it was off to the tour of the facilities.

How excited I was that were were going to be transported on the tour by a NASA Shuttle. So this is what shuttles do while they are grounded.

All kidding aside (for now) that bus is parked in front of the world’s largest wind tunnel (well unless you are speaking to a Russian space official). Largest or not I must say that it quite inpressive to be standing in a building that wind tested full scale models of space craft. This photo doesn’t quite do it justice.

Next on the tour was a facility of personal interest to me, the human centrifuge. The unit at Ames has the capability of imparting a continual force of 20G with the subject in any posture, thus able simulate many aspects of the launch, flight, and reentry stages. Also, the investigators use much the same equipment to monitor the cardiovascular responses to gravitational perturbations that I use in the lab at UW.

Then it was off see the worlds fastest operational supercomputer, the Columbia. I won’t pretend to know anything about its implications but it fills a room the size of 4 basketball courts. Each one of those cabinets holds 512 cpus. The thing is all linked up and images are sent to a high-res display array.

 

 

I will get to day two and the actual conference material tomorrow as I have to sign off due to NASA calling for an internet curfew of 12am. I don’t get it either. Till tomorrow.

 

 

Kitchener/Waterloo Record

His dreams are sky-high

One day we’ll have to colonize another planet, PhD student says

BARBARA AGGERHOLM

MATHEW MCCARTHY, RECORD STAFF Ken Dyson, a University of Waterloo PhD candidate, sits on a bed in a lab where he runs experiments based on physiology in space. He is now taking part in a NASA conference in California.

WATERLOO (Aug 15, 2006)

With war and disease on our consciences daily, it’s not easy to keep our eyes on the sky.

Ken Dyson, a local PhD student at a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conference in California, doesn’t minimize the challenges facing humans today.

But he wants us to remember this: One day, there will be a compelling reason to travel in space. One day, there will be a need to colonize another planet.

Not today, not tomorrow, probably not even in our lifetimes. But we must keep space exploration on the radar screen, Dyson says. We must not allow ourselves to become buried in the present so that we forget the future and how to dream about getting there.

The idea of space exploration “seems to be stagnant among the public,” said Dyson, 33, in an interview yesterday before he left for this week’s Next Generation Exploration Conference in Mountain View, Calif.

“People are getting kind of bored, and caught up with other things. There are a lot of problems going on in the world.”

Many people believe we should fix problems on Earth first, before spending more time and money on space. “I see it differently,” he said.

Space exploration requires international collaboration, which can’t help but benefit our relationships now, said Dyson, a University of Waterloo PhD candidate in kinesiology. It reminds us that Earth “is a little jewel” in a vast space.

But mostly, “I’m more concerned that we’re fragile,” he said.

Eventually — albeit in billions of years — the sun will burn out. A meteor could threaten massive global warming.

Eventually, “if we as a civilization . . . are going to survive, we have to get off the planet.”

Dyson, who lives in Guelph with his wife and children, is one of dozens of young scientists, engineers, professionals and students hand-picked and sponsored by NASA to attend the conference at the Ames Research Center.

“It is this group that will be developing the exploration technologies and living on the Moon,” the NASA conference website says. “These are the people that have the biggest stake in lunar exploration and beyond.”

Dyson’s passion for Mars and space exploration has never waned.

A member of the Mars Society of Canada, he and several other scientists took part in an expedition in 2004 to the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah where they simulated the experience of living on Mars. He studied the physiological costs of wearing space suit prototypes.

“I was trying to find out how fit an astronaut would have to be to go to Mars,” Dyson said. “While you’re in transit to Mars, you’re going to lose bone mass and muscle mass and you’re going to lose your cardiovascular conditioning unless you do some sort of countermeasure to keep you in proper fitness.”

He’s the Canadian contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council, a non-governmental organization that brings the views of young space professionals to the United Nations and space agencies.

These days, in a UW lab, Dyson is looking at the effects of space flight —microgravity and inactivity — on the body, and its parallels with normal aging on the cardiovascular system.

Published Chapter

Here-ye Here-ye, read all about it.

I have an official published chapter in a scientific volume:

http://www.univelt.com/htmlST/htmlMars/V111STCONT.pdf

I also happen to be one of the cover models!

In Memoriam, RL Burns(d)ide

Wel, well, well.

I went over to a friend’s place the other night to jam in their basement, something that doesn’t happen often enough these days. While in the midst of a Pixies/Sonic Youth-like noise fest in walks a tall fellow in a pork-pie hat. He opens one of his two guitar cases to reveal a gleeming new National steel guitar. Inspired by the sight I break into one of my favourit riffs.

“Hey, Goin’ Down South, right on, RL Burnside”, the new comer declares. I am aghast, not only did he know that song, but picked it out from my garbled rendition. His next words, though would set the tone for the rest of the evening: “I am so glad to have seen him play live before he died.” “Ya”, I reply ” I saw him a couple of times and h–, what do you mean, before he died?”

Seems as though I have been so out of touch with the world over the last year that I missed the passing of my favorite of all blues-men, RL Burnside.

Check out his obituary here and his discography here.

On the streets of San Francisco

On the running board.

At the top of Lombard Street.

Hanging on to the back of the Hyde Street cable car.

Ok, I couldn’t resist posting this:

Ready for take-off from my favourite runway at Pearson Intl.