Assessment of the Mars Society--1998

by Richard Brown

Following are some of the thoughts and ideas of the author after attending and participating in the Mars Society meeting in Boulder Colorado in August of 1998:

1. The Society is a fervent group of individuals dedicated to Mars exploration an coloniztion led by Robert Zubrin, the author of "A Case for Mars." The organization is in its infancy with a web site, 1000 members, an annual meeting, a proposed technical project, a political action agenda, and some international affliates planned.

2. The organization is in great need of an full time executive director and some full time central organization. An executive director and a few volunteers and part time staff could go a long way towards making it a real international organization.

3. The best ideas at the meeting:
A. A celebrity sponsor.
B. Somethings to sell==like posters, albums,etc.
C. Local chapters--for political action and education.
D. A consensus public position.
E. Corporate and national sponsorship.