Chapter Meeting, February 2023!

Clear Lake Area Chapter meeting:
Tuesday the 21st, 6:30 p.m.

The Clear Lake Area Chapter will meet on Tuesday, February 21st in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park beginning at 6:30 p.m. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. A Zoom meeting option will also be available; information is given below.

Come hear our own Doug Hall speak on:

The NERVA Project: Where we were, What we lost, What we might get back soon!

NERVA was the NASA acronym for “Nuclear Engined Rocket Vehicle Aloft” and the associated project to develop a flight-worthy nuclear engine in the 1960s and early 1970s. Join the Clear Lake Area Chapter as our own Doug Hall reviews some of the accomplishments and milestones of the project, and shares with us recent developments which could lead to a revival of this technology! This is one of Doug’s special areas of interest, so you don’t want to miss this one!

Please note a slight meeting time change to 6:30 p.m. as Harris County is keeping the facility open a bit later on Tuesdays now. We’re planning to offer a few light refreshments and bottled water; your own contributions are also welcome of course!

Our next regularly scheduled meeting following this one is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th, also at 6:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Info: Through an arrangement with the Clear Lake GTO club and our member David Cheuvront we’re planning to set up a Zoom meeting for remote attendees: Topic: NSS Clear Lake Chapter Meeting Time: Feb 21, 2023 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82527899426?pwd=Y290VE5sU283RldIQ055L0Q3WlVydz09

Meeting ID: 825 2789 9426
Passcode: 313878
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,82527899426#,,,,*313878# US
+19292056099,,82527899426#,,,,*313878# US (New York)

Dial by your location
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 305 224 1968 US
        +1 309 205 3325 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 564 217 2000 US
        +1 669 444 9171 US
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 689 278 1000 US
        +1 719 359 4580 US
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 360 209 5623 US
        +1 386 347 5053 US
        +1 507 473 4847 US
Meeting ID: 825 2789 9426
Passcode: 313878
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpsxk0mvi

A quick update

As I type this we’re at the meeting site ready to go but our Zoom organizer (which we do not control) has yet to start our meeting. My apologies for the ongoing technical delay, but we have a quorum and we’re going to get started in-person. If the Zoom meeting does get started you’ll join us in progress. Again, my apologies.

October Annual meeting: Tuesday the 18th, 6:00 p.m.

The annual business meeting and election of officers for the Clear Lake Area National Space Society & Moon Society chapter will be on Tuesday, October 18th in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park at 6 pm. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. There is also a Zoom option for remote attendees; see info at bottom.

Election of Chapter Officers:

The annual election of Chapter officers and directors will be held at this meeting. Positions up for election are:

  • Chapter President – Currently held by Eric Bowen.
  • Chapter Vice-President – Currently held by Doug Hall.
  • Chapter Treasurer – Currently held by Jay Lewchanin.
  • Chapter Secretary – Currently vacant.
  • Director, Position 1 – Currently held by Marianne Dyson.
  • Director, Position 2 – Currently held by Keith Dauzat.
  • Director, Position 3 – Currently held by Larry Friesen.

To be eligible for all officer positions and Director Position 1 a candidate must be, or must be willing to become, an active member in BOTH the National Space Society and The Moon Society. A candidate for Director Position 2 must be an active member of the National Space Society. A candidate for Director Position 3 must be an active member of The Moon Society.

Nominations will be accepted from the floor before the election is held. The new officers will take their positions as of January 1st. (Positions currently vacant will be filled immediately upon election.)

Our next get-together as a chapter will be our Movie Night at the home of Anita Gale on Saturday, November 19th beginning at 3 p.m. In December we’ll be resuming our chapter Christmas party on Saturday, December 17th, also at Anita’s. Meeting dates for 2023 will be announced after the first of the year but at this time we are not planning a January meeting; our first meeting of the year is normally held in February.  Meeting documents are available below.

Zoom Meeting Info (We are grateful to the Clear Lake GTO club for sponsoring our access):
Eric Stevens is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: CLA-NSS/MS Monthly Meeting
Time: Oct 18, 2022 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85004690047?pwd=T2p6aU5jN2RuNlRlZ1Q2V2VEVHMxZz09

Meeting ID: 850 0469 0047
Passcode: 462282
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,85004690047#,,,,*462282# US
+19292056099,,85004690047#,,,,*462282# US (New York)

Dial by your location
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 309 205 3325 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 564 217 2000 US
        +1 669 444 9171 US
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 719 359 4580 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 386 347 5053 US
Meeting ID: 850 0469 0047
Passcode: 462282
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb6MMFuKi0

ZOOM Meeting Info for 2022-09-20

Here’s the ZOOM meeting info for those who want to join Tuesday night’s meeting through cyberspace! We’re indebted to the GTO Club (as in Pontiac) of Clear Lake, which our own Dave Cheuvront is also a member of. They’ve agreed to let us take advantage of their account when not needed for their own purposes, so the meeting will not be cut off after 40 minutes (cheers & applause)!

Anyway, here’s the invite:

Topic: NSS CLA/MS Meeting
Time: Sep 20, 2022 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83615684756?pwd=UStTcElRTmt6ckRVdnpKYnJCcFBGUT09

Meeting ID: 836 1568 4756
Passcode: 256149
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83615684756#,,,,*256149# US (Houston)
+12532158782,,83615684756#,,,,*256149# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 669 444 9171 US
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 719 359 4580 US
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 309 205 3325 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 386 347 5053 US
        +1 564 217 2000 US
Meeting ID: 836 1568 4756
Passcode: 256149
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keohQeMCxH

We hope to see you there, either in person or on line!

Chapter meeting: Tuesday the 20th, 6:00 p.m.

The Clear Lake Area Chapter will meet on Tuesday, September 20th in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park at 6:00 p.m.. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 8:00 p.m. when the Center closes, but our members often continue conversation at a local restaurant (TBD).

At this meeting nominations will open for chapter officers and directors for 2023. Nominations will also be accepted via email to info@nss-houston-moon.org up through 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 14th and voted on at our October business meeting. Nominations require a second if made in person or two independent nominations if made by email. You can only nominate one candidate for each position, whether in person or by email. You must be a member in good standing of the National Space Society and/or the Moon Society and have indicated that you wish to be considered a member of this Chapter.

For information, the current slate of officers and positions is as follows:

  • President: Eric Bowen
  • Vice-President: Doug Hall
  • Treasurer: Jay Lewchanin
  • Secretary: Vacant
  • Director, Position 1: Marianne Dyson
  • Director, Position 2: Keith Dauzat
  • Director, Position 3: Larry Friesen

Candidates for all officer positions and for Director, Position 1 must be or must be willing to become members in good standing of BOTH the National Space Society and The Moon Society. Candidates for Director, Position 2 must be a member in good standing of the National Space Society. Candidates for Director, Position 3 must be a member in good standing of The Moon Society.

Our next regularly scheduled meeting following this one will be our annual business meeting on Tuesday, October 18th; same time and place. Looking forward to seeing you then, too!

More information is available on our chapter web site, or send an email inquiry to info@nss-houston-moon.org. Zoom meeting info will be posted on this web site prior to the meeting.

Houston Clear Lake Area Chapter Honors Nichelle Nichols

The Clear Lake Area National Space Society and Moon Society Chapter met on August 16th at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park. Director Keith Dauzat introduced a resolution that the Chapter recognize and honor the life and work of Star Trek actress and long-time NASA recruiter Nichelle Nichols, which the Chapter was eager to unanimously adopt. Accordingly,

The Clear Lake Area Chapter of the National Space Society and Moon Society honors the life, work and legacy of Nichelle Nichols for both her pioneering work as a Black actress and star on the groundbreaking television and film series Star Trek and especially for her subsequent work as a recruiter for NASA for nearly five decades. She has shown the way for three generations to turn science fiction into science fact, and that legacy will only continue to grow. This resolution is to be entered in the Chapter minutes, posted on the Chapter’s web site, and submitted to NSS Downlink in anticipation of publication. Adopted by the Clear Lake Area Chapter August 16th, 2022. Ad Astra.

We also heard from speaker and NASA veteran Dave Cheuvront about the workings of the Space Settlement Design Competitions and some of his favorite anecdotes. Dave had a presentation which, unfortunately, had to be abbreviated due to time and technical difficulties, but it can be downloaded from our web site at http://nss-houston-moon.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CLA-NSS-Space-Settlements.pdf. Dave also encourages you to view a recorded copy of the presentation which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyn7AQkTQbk as well as other material from the F4F (Foundation For the Future) YouTube channel.

In other news, the Chapter will be resuming social events this fall! One of our popular “Science Fiction/Science Fact” Movie Nights will be held at the home of Anita Gale the afternoon and evening of Saturday, November 19th; for details see the post on our web page. And our Chapter Christmas party will return after a three-year hiatus at Anita’s home on December 17th!

The Clear Lake Area Chapter’s next meeting will be at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park, just down NASA 1 from the Johnson Space Center, at 6:00 p.m. on September 20th, 2022. Everyone’s welcome!

Clear Lake Area Chapter Movie Night, November 19th!

“Space Stations” Movie Night!
Saturday, November 19th
3:00 p.m to ?


Anita Gale Residence
18506 Upper Bay Road
Nassau Bay, Texas

Anita Gale is hosting our Chapter’s November “Movie Night” in her home at 18506 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay, across NASA 1 and down the road just a few blocks from the Space Center on Saturday, November the 19th from 3:00 p.m. until we’re all drowning in Tribbles! This year’s get-together will feature a “Space Station” theme…what goes right, and what might someday go badly wrong!

We’ll have a few minutes for snacks and conversation after doors open at 3:00 p.m., but by about 3:30 we’ll be ready to start with our Science Fact entry, the 2002 IMAX Space Station movie, filmed by the astronauts themselves and presented on Anita’s big-screen TV in Blu-Ray! You’ll love the scenes of weightlessness and the ever-changing view as the early modules of the International Space Station are jockeyed into place!

We’ll have a dinner break with hot dogs and fixings, chips, and maybe a few homemade chocolate chip cookies, and then we’ll get into Tribbles for the rest of the evening! We’ll start, of course, with the original Star Trek second season episode “The Trouble With Tribbles” as written by David Gerrold. That will be followed by the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine follow-on tribute episode, “Trials and Tribble-ations”…if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s good! Finally, as a nightcap, we’ll have the animated series episode “More Tribbles, More Troubles” on tap for the die-hards!

The popcorn machine will be there and popping; Anita will have her legendary spread of adult and soft beverages; and you’re all invited to bring along your leftover Halloween candy! Other contributions, both food and funds, are welcome as well. We’re expecting an intimate turnout for this event, but still we would appreciate an RSVP email to info@nss-houston-moon.org so that we know how many to plan for. No charge for the event, but voluntary contributions towards the refreshments will be accepted with our thanks. These shows are all child-friendly!

Finally, we’re also giving advance notice of our Chapter Christmas party, currently scheduled for the evening of Saturday, December 17th. Hope to see you there!

August 16th Chapter Meeting!

The Clear Lake Area Chapter will meet on Tuesday, August 16th (CORRECTED; an earlier email inadvertently said ‘Tuesday the 18th’. I apologize) in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park beginning at 6:00 p.m. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. A Zoom meeting option will also be available for the Chapter business portion of the meeting; see information below.

Guest Speaker: Dave Cheuvront!

Come hear our own Dave Cheuvront! Dave is very active in the Space Settlement Design Competitions, and he will be sharing with us about the activities of those competitions as well as the current state of the art in space settlement design! We will expedite the ‘business’ portion of the meeting to give Dave as much time as possible. Don’t miss it!

Coming Attractions!

  • The Clear Lake Area Chapter social calendar resumes with one of our science fiction/science fact Movie Nights in the home of Anita Gale on Saturday, November 19th! This year’s program focuses on space stations…we’ll watch the IMAX space station movie in Blu-ray, and then see what happens when a space station has “Tribble Trouble!”
  • Advance notice is also given of our Chapter Christmas party, currently planned for the 17th of December at the home of Anita Gale.

COVID Information: Masking and/or vaccination is not required by either the Chapter or by Harris County at the present time. Those who attend in person are encouraged to protect themselves as they in consultation with their medical advisors deem best, whether that be vaccination, masking, or prophylactic medicines and/or nutritional supplements (adverse outcomes from the virus are strongly related to deficiencies in Vitamin D3). We ask that you remain at home if you are running a fever over 99.6F or are suffering any symptoms of respiratory illness. Take care and see you there!

There will be no refreshments provided at this meeting although you are welcome to bring your own or purchase drinks from the county’s vending machine. We will attempt to conclude our business by 7:30 and then those who wish may adjourn to a local restaurant for refreshment and continued conversation on a ‘Dutch treat’ basis; exact location to be determined at the meeting.

Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, September 20th at 6 p.m. At that meeting nominations for officers and directors will open in anticipation of our annual business meeting on October 18th.

Editing to add Chapter Treasurer’s Report (not available at August 16th meeting): Current balances of Chapter’s bank accounts as of July 31st, 2022: Savings balance  $669.99, Checking balance $303.03.


Congratulations to friend of the Chapter Avinash Shirode and his wife Sharmistha on the occasion of their 50th anniversary and his 75th birthday (August 14th, 2022)!

Chapter Meeting: June 21st, 2022

The Clear Lake Area Chapter will meet on Tuesday, June 21st in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park beginning at 6:00 p.m. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. A Zoom meeting option will also be available for the Chapter business portion of the meeting; see information below.

COVID Information: Masking and/or vaccination is not required by either the Chapter or by Harris County at the present time. Those who attend in person are encouraged to protect themselves as they in consultation with their medical advisors deem best, whether that be vaccination, masking, or prophylactic medicines and/or nutritional supplements (adverse outcomes from the virus are strongly related to deficiencies in Vitamin D3). We ask that you remain at home if you are running a fever over 99.6F or are suffering any symptoms of respiratory illness. Take care and see you there!

There will be no refreshments provided at this meeting although you are welcome to bring your own or purchase drinks from the county’s vending machine. We will attempt to conclude our business by 7:30 and then those who wish may adjourn to a local restaurant for refreshment and continued conversation on a ‘Dutch treat’ basis; exact location to be determined at the meeting.

UPDATE: Our next regularly scheduled meetings have been arranged for Tuesday, August 16th and Tuesday, September 20th. At the September meeting nominations will open for our annual business meeting which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18th. All meetings will start at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center. At tonight’s meeting we will also discuss the possibility of scheduling new social events for October, November and/or December.

Zoom Meeting Info: Please note that at present we are limited to a maximum of 40 minutes via Zoom, so the Zoom meeting will open at 6:15 p.m. and close about 30 minutes later. We will do our best to schedule any business requiring votes during this window. After the Zoom meeting closes we will be looking at recent space news and events presented by Doug Hall.

Eric Bowen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Clear Lake Area NSS/Moon Society Online Meeting
Time: Jun 21, 2022 06:15 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78379901041?pwd=xjN0HZODVdshJAXFjBQKRRuPLvpeG5.1

Meeting ID: 783 7990 1041
Passcode: 3BeVft


Clear Lake Area Chapter meeting: Tuesday the 15th, 6:00 p.m.

The Clear Lake Area Chapter will meet on Tuesday, February 15th in the conference room of the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park beginning at 6:00 p.m. The address is 5002 NASA Road 1; Seabrook, Texas. The Community Center is north of NASA 1, away from the lake; enter through the side door adjacent to the parking lot as the main entrance may be locked after 5:00 p.m. A Zoom meeting option will also be available for the Chapter business portion of the meeting; see information below.

We’ll be discussing Chapter activities for the coming year, with a special emphasis on the in-person social activities that we’ve all missed in the recent past. There’s a possibility that we will schedule a “Yuri’s Night” get-together in April; we’ll discuss at the meeting. We’ll also be taking a look at the recent launch and deployment of the Webb Telescope!

COVID Information: Masking and/or vaccination is not required by either the Chapter or by Harris County at the present time. Those who attend in person are encouraged to protect themselves as they in consultation with their medical advisors deem best, whether that be vaccination, masking, or prophylactic medicines and/or nutritional supplements (adverse outcomes from the virus are strongly related to deficiencies in Vitamin D3). We ask that you remain at home if you are running a fever over 99.6F or are suffering any symptoms of respiratory illness. Take care and see you there!

There will be no refreshments provided at this meeting although you are welcome to bring your own or purchase drinks from the county’s vending machine. Please note that some members have objected to the consumption of food and beverages in a group setting but the Chapter has not taken a position on that at this time. We will attempt to conclude our business by 7:30 and then those who wish may adjourn to a local restaurant for refreshment and continued conversation on a ‘Dutch treat’ basis; exact location to be determined at the meeting.

Our next regularly scheduled meeting following this one is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th at 6 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Info: Please note that at present we are limited to a maximum of 40 minutes via Zoom, so the Zoom meeting will open at 6:15 p.m. and close about 30 minutes later. We will do our best to schedule any business requiring votes during this window. After the Zoom meeting closes we will be looking at recent space news and events presented by Doug Hall.

Eric Bowen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74610871231?pwd=bYYHCh4dArpLlfUpC9QG1o4ZMutHSc.1

Meeting ID: 746 1087 1231
Passcode: hiaqJ9

Meeting documents: