National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is an American international nonprofit organization that works to educate and support the idea of exploring and using space. It is recognized as a charitable group and takes part in special campaigns that help raise money for important causes. The NSS dreams of a future where people can live and work in communities beyond Earth, using space’s many resources to greatly improve life for everyone.

The society believes in both people traveling to space and sending robots to explore. It supports these efforts whether they are carried out by governments, like NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or by private companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic. Their goal is to help make space travel and exploration possible for the benefit of all humanity.

History

The National Space Society began in the United States on March 28, 1987, when two groups joined together. These groups were the National Space Institute, started in 1974 by Wernher von Braun, and the L5 Society, started in 1975 by Gerard K. O’Neill.

For many years, the National Space Society has helped teach people about space and supported space projects. In 2014, it started a program called Enterprise In Space to encourage interest in space and subjects like science and math. In 2023, Isaac Arthur was chosen to be President for two years. In 2025, the society and other space groups planned a special Day of Action for October 5 and 6.

Ad Astra

The Society publishes a magazine called Ad Astra. It comes out four times a year, both in printed copies and online.

International Space Development Conference

The society holds a yearly event called the International Space Development Conference. This conference takes place in big cities across the United States, usually around the Memorial Day weekend.

NSS Chapters network

NSS has many chapters all over the world. These chapters can be in places like schools, cities, or towns. Some chapters focus on special topics such as rocketry, astronomy, or education. They work together to share ideas about space exploration and teach others about its benefits.

National Space Society of Australia

There are many chapters in Australia. Before it joined with another group, three chapters were started in Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane. Later, they formed the National Space Society of Australia to help connect all these groups. Similar groups have also started in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Awards

The National Space Society gives out several awards each year at its big space meeting. These awards honor people and teams that do great work in space.

One important award is the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award. It is given every two years to people who have done a lot to help humans live and work in space. Some past winners are William Shatner, Elon Musk, and Stephen Hawking.

Another award is the NSS Von Braun Award. This one is given in the years between the Heinlein Awards to teams and leaders who do excellent work on space projects. Winners include the team behind the James Webb Space Telescope and Gwynne Shotwell.

There are also Space Pioneer Awards given each year to people and teams that make big steps in exploring space. Recent winners include Rod Pyle and the team behind the Mars Curiosity Rover.

The society also helps with other awards and contests for students, like the Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest, where students design ideas for future space communities.

Affiliations

The National Space Society is a founding executive member of the Alliance for Space Development.