As president of the New York Chapter of the National Space Society, you must have had an idea this was being formed, Mr. Zimmerman. Were you involved in the Alliance's formation?
= Do you think it will be successful promoting space travel?
= Can you see significant changes in attitudes, industry, or funding coming out of this grass-roots movement?
= If there were only ONE thing the Space Exploration Alliance could accomplish, what should it be?

Perhaps it's my early introduction to science-fiction (50's, 60's, all those good old authors like Asimov, Del Ray, Heinlein, Clarke, etc.) where the theme was man's triumphs. Perhaps it's my recognition that until the mid-20th century, the world was still coming off an national expansion and colonization drive that started around the time of Columbus. You can even factor in the greatest sci-fi theme of the last third of the millenium, "to go where no man has gone before". I also recognize there are advocates among us who insist we explore inner space first -- whether that be uniting all the nations under one banner or solving the social problems that plague our cultures or developing the ability to use the sea (on or under) as another frontier.

However, today's climate seems to be more of a "sit on our accomplishments" and "live the good life we've created" style. The consumer is king, most products have short, planned obsolesence built in, and weapons of war have higher priority than ever. Space exploration has been put on the back burner.

If mankind is to get back on track and aim for the stars again, what do you see that must happen in the next 5, 10, 20, 50, or even 100 years?