The National Space Society (NSS) is an international space advocacy non-profit organization.

"The National Space Society's vision is people living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth. NSS members promote change in social, technical, economic, and political conditions to advance the day when people will live and work in space." --National Space Society home page

The society supports manned space missions by both the public (eg. NASA, Russia's Federal Space Agency) and private sectors (eg. Ansari X Prize organizations).

The National Space Society was established in the United States on March 8, 1986, from the merger of two space advocacy organizations: the National Space Institute, founded by Wernher von Braun; and the L5 Society , based on the concepts of Gerard K. O'Neill.

The society enjoys the support of such persons as Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, C.J. Cherryh, Ben Bova, Michael Collins, Maria von Braun , Bob Hope, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, John Glenn, Tom Hanks, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Nichelle Nichols, Frank Borman, K. Eric Drexler, Hugh Downs, Bruce Boxleitner and many others.

The International Space Development Conference (ISDC) is held annually. The magazine Ad Astra (ISSN 1041102X) is published quarterly. ("Ad astra" is Latin for "to the stars".)

See also: Space colonization

External links

• National Space Society Official web site.
• Ad Astra Online Magazine web site at Space.com .
• National Space Society Chapters Network Resources for NSS chapters, members and space activists.