Arcos Cielos Research Center

The Spring 2006 ATWG (Advanced Technology Working Group) Conference was hosted by Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff on April 18-19, and at the Sedona Hilton Resort on April 20, hosted by the Arcos Cielos Research Center. The Advanced Technology Working Group is a Public/Private Forum for Advanced Earth and Space Technology, and is comprised of leading-edge thinkers from Government, NASA, the Aerospace Industry, Academia, the Department of Defense, Space-oriented Think-Tanks, NGO’s, and the emerging Space Entrepreneurial Sector.

The program included a dedicated group of key scientists and leaders who came together to exchange and discuss new thinking and action strategies for new Earth-Space Technologies, which will help in correcting human-created problems with our Planetary Biosphere, and also eventually lead to a permanent human presence in Space in orbital, Lunar, and Martian colonies. Conference attendees actively shared and discussed the practical applications of new ideas and approaches to create clean space-based solar energy technologies, Earth-based solar and wind power power generating systems, advanced fusion Technologies, as well as emerging new technologies. A major emphasis will be placed by the group on defining pathways to create a New Scientific Renaissance in the US, as well as in promoting new and expanded levels of international scientific cooperation, more eco-sensible lifestyles, and in providing assistance to third-world nations in science, technology, education, clean water, pollution abatement and cleanup, electrical power, improved medical assistance. and disaster relief. This unique group also engaged in creative ways to Good Science to the attention of government and corporate leaders and global media, and on a new commitment to make the educational systems and general public far more aware and participatory, in terms of the benefits, employment, and career opportunities, which science and technology can bring, in concert with preserving the precious Natural Resources of our Planetary Biosphere and in renewing the Presidential Vision of Space Exploration.

Highlights of the Flagstaff portion of the Conference included a guided tour of the U.S. Geological Survey Laboratory in Flagstaff where scientists are actively engaged in Lunar and Martian mapping programs in conjunction with the Mars Rovers and ongoing high-resolution satellite mapping missions. A brief overview of the new ATWG Book, Beyond Earth: The Future of Humans in Space was presented by ATWG Founder and Chairman, Dr. Ken Cox. Other presentations included Survival Oases in Space by Ken Cox, and Ed Kiker from the Chief Scientist’s Office of the U.S. Army Missile Defense Command. A discussion of Precursor Robotic Support for Lunar Manned Missions included Walter Faulconer, Chuck Verdane, and Rick Eckelkamp was followed by a presentation on Risk Strategies in Space by Nuclear Physicist and Risk Management specialist, Dr. Feng Hsu from the NASA Goddard Space Center. Other fascinating presentations included “Journey Driven Opportunities in Space” by Ray Garbos, Dave Urie and Chris Salamone, who discussed fascinating new orbital delivery and passenger vehicles, such as the “Rocketplane” and the “K-1″ Reusable Launch Vehicle. Dave Goodwin gave a fascinating talk on “Disruptive Science and Technologies” which dealt with areas of Information Technology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and New Energy Technology. Elliott Maynard presented a informative overview of Breakthrough Technologies and unique New Thinking Strategies for the Future of Earth and Space, followed by Jim Burke’s presentation of New Technologies related to Arts and Space. Rick Eckelkamp led a provocative discussion entitled, “Harvesting the Apollo Wisdom.”

Wednesday’s conference sessions provided an equally brilliant array of scientific presentations, starting with a panel discussion by author, Martin Schwab; Hylan Lyon, adviser to three successive Presidents at the Office of White House Science and Technology Policy, and ATWG founder, Dr. Ken Cox. The discussion topic involved the Global Economic Outlook for Energy Technologies, relative to the drivers of transformation and policy changes in government, academia and energy perspectives. Ron Kohl and Chuck Larson led an animated talk and discussion on the complexities of Space and Air Traffic Control, and presented new paradigms for SpacePorts (analogous to Earth-based Sea Ports), and Traffic Control Systems for Earth Orbital Space. Other afternoon sessions included a Sim-Space Workshop, which showcased new and fascinating opportunities for involvement and major financing from the multibillion-dollar VideoGaming Industry, the SimSpace Alliance, including new Silicon Valley players such as Google, AOL, and Time-Warner, plus a variety of emerging global entrepreneurial partnerships.

A major highlights of the Flagstaff Conference was a Gene Myers’ presentation on a new global network of Orbital Solar Power Stations, designed to collect solar power from photovoltaic arrays and transmit it to Earth via microwave beams, thus providing pollution-free energy which could effectively eliminate outmoded national power grids. Gene will be meeting with head government officials in India and China, and already has a major multi-billion-dollar funding commitment from the World Bank, should these nations be willing to take the lead in this transformative new global energy paradigm, which would have the capabilities to deliver cost-effective, clean energy to developing nations and remote islands on Earth. The Flagstaff Conference included a discussion of possible future Space-Scenarios by W.T. Powers and Ken Cox, and excellent presentations from Dr. Mary Chapman from the USGS on Martian Geology and the Flagstaff area as an ideal Mars and Lunar testing sites; and LTC (Ret.), Timothy J. Cohan, Civilian Executive Assistant for the Camp Navajo Garrison Command, who presented us with his innovative management strategies for this model facility, which deals with numerous civilian and military contractors to create an efficient and profitable enterprise from this formerly strategic military installation.(http://www.atwg.org) …by Elliott and Sharon Maynard

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