Noncommercial independent collaborations

> One might argue that building microsats or suborbital spacecraft is not
> a major contribution to creating a spacefaring civilization. I
> disagree. For one thing, the experience gained is directly relevant to
> more ambitious projects. For another, any activity in space by
> nongovernmental groups contributes to a paradigm shift in how the
> public (and investors) view space. We can't be sure exactly when the
> tipping point will arrive, or what the last straw will be, but we can
> work to bring it closer.

There are several activities that I thought about in relation to the
Biosphere 2 effort (which I am still working on):
1. The work breakdown structure. This would greatly expand the
matrix that SSI started years ago.
2. Visual Inspection robots.
2a. Visual scene to database base model.
2b. WiFi and GPS integration to remote control.
2c. Remote Control user interface with database augmentation.
These are all mostly software projects that only need a server, which I
have, to start. There are a number of small USB cameras that could be
integrated to a small mobile platform so that there could be something
where developers could quickly see some fruit of their labors. Also
these are easier to start and do than microsats or rocketry.

I am a little more concerned with being ready for low cost access to
space than with doing something about low cost access. If one of the
technologies like "Liftport" works out in the next ten years, what are
we going to send up to do the work? I would like to see every possible
piece of equipment of a raw material to space habitat assembly line
tested out on Earth before we actually have the resources to send the
seed into space.

Mitchell James
mejames@...
www.InnerTransit.org (Home base for collaborative engineering on the web)