N-Space Part 72

Lunch.

Dr. Poumelle broke us up into groups. I'd have loved to sit in on the Moon Project group, but thought I was more badly needed in Blue Sky. I took 'em outside-it seemed appropriate.

Discussion ranged all over the map. At one point Dr. Pournelle came out to be sure we weren't restricting ourselves too much. He found it wasn't necessary. We tossed in a few favorite far-out ones, like the orbital tower and esoteric means of propulsion, and the interstellar light-sail . . . but quickly dropped the subject of interstellar flight. We came up with short-range stuff too, and that was what got used.

Put seven crew aboard any Shuttle that isn't ma.s.s-restricted or already full. Have a lottery for the extra seats, or reward politicians, news commentators, and aging hard science fiction writers who jog. An astronaut in every village! Build a windowed pressure can with seats for the Shuttle bay. Accept that the Shuttle will be used to make movies.

SAt.u.r.dAY EVENING.

The volunteers went out for Chinese food for forty. (We've still got far too much of it.) Came back much later, telling tales of the restaurateur's shock as he realized they were serious. I made a cheese omelet for B .J., a woman on a very restrictive hypoglycemia diet.

We liked liked each other, almost universally, all thirty-odd of us. We were all gathered for a larger purpose. I failed to notice that the science fiction writers were being treated as absolute equals, because I expected nothing less; I had to have it pointed out. How times change. each other, almost universally, all thirty-odd of us. We were all gathered for a larger purpose. I failed to notice that the science fiction writers were being treated as absolute equals, because I expected nothing less; I had to have it pointed out. How times change.

After dinner Dr. Pournelle split us into groups. I got drafted for the discussion re: "How can the s.p.a.ce Program be made to help underdeveloped peoples?"

Chuck Gould stated our conclusion at the outset. Every comsat that goes up should be overdesigned and flexible. We should be able to sell, lease, or give away comsat capability to any nation that finds a use for it, and instantly. Every comsat that goes up should be overdesigned and flexible. We should be able to sell, lease, or give away comsat capability to any nation that finds a use for it, and instantly. Fine. We then traded anecdotes and philosophic generalities for an hour or two-I had some of my own, but found it difficult to interrupt-after which we repeated the original statement again. I tried Fine. We then traded anecdotes and philosophic generalities for an hour or two-I had some of my own, but found it difficult to interrupt-after which we repeated the original statement again. I tried to hand in my notes. I was told, diffidently, that I (as wordsmith) was expected to produce the copy.

I said, "There's a problem. I'm not inspired."

"Why?"

I explained. I know know how to help the underdeveloped people. I produce new wealth via s.p.a.ce conquest and new technology, and expect a great deal to spill over. The rich get richer and the poor get rich too; it almost always works, as long as how to help the underdeveloped people. I produce new wealth via s.p.a.ce conquest and new technology, and expect a great deal to spill over. The rich get richer and the poor get rich too; it almost always works, as long as new new wealth is being created. (I'm not sure that got into our final missive. Dr. Pournelle, it should.) wealth is being created. (I'm not sure that got into our final missive. Dr. Pournelle, it should.) I/we worked on the position paper afterward, starting with my spa.r.s.e draft and continuing Sunday, photocopying every draft. It was like pulling teeth, but we've produced a good, readable paper.

I got into the drinking and conversation earlier Sat.u.r.day night. Dave Griswell and I started trading wild ideas. If any serious bureaucrat knew how his mind really really works . . . well. He wants to collect the solar wind and mine it for resources, mainly iron. I offered him half a Dyson sh.e.l.l, saying you'd be able to move the sun too. He worked out the numbers, and it's just no good. But he likes my flux tube. (That became works . . . well. He wants to collect the solar wind and mine it for resources, mainly iron. I offered him half a Dyson sh.e.l.l, saying you'd be able to move the sun too. He worked out the numbers, and it's just no good. But he likes my flux tube. (That became The Smoke Ring.) The Smoke Ring.) .

SUNDAY.

We didn't convene till eleven. But we convened like a flash flood! Everybody running in all directions. I never stopped except right at the beginning, when Dr. Pournelle convened us. He had a draft of the two papers to be sent to the Administration. It was pretty good. There was some discussion, including both nits (which got sarcasm) and important points (on the level of "Sure this is true, but do we hit 'em with it now?") now?") When that broke up, the havoc began.

Alan Trimpi showed me a position paper he'd first-drafted. It had all it should have, but it wasn't well written. By now I'd noticed the amazing range of writing skills among the attendees. I scribbled all over Alan's paper ("It's only marks on paper," he rea.s.sured me), then other papers while someone typed Alan's paper into a computer, then did a lot of (x + 1)-drafting in Electric Pencil .

I spent all three days feeling (a) hyperkinetic; that is, eager to speak or write or rewrite, unwilling to rest; and (b) irritated. I don't think the irritation ever got out of hand. It's normal. A writer correcting a bad or hasty draft is is irritated. Bad writing becomes an irritant. It's worse when the draft is by a collaborator. I had irritated. Bad writing becomes an irritant. It's worse when the draft is by a collaborator. I had thirty-five thirty-five collaborators, and some couldn't write coherently, let alone concisely and without vagueness. I'd have to stop to ask the author, "But what were you collaborators, and some couldn't write coherently, let alone concisely and without vagueness. I'd have to stop to ask the author, "But what were you trying trying to say here?" to say here?"

Not unexpected. I was prepared to find shop-talk where the authors thought they were speaking English, and I did, I did, from the "dedicated satellite" level (but a dictionary will not will not tell you what that means) to a compulsive use of initials. (That is tell you what that means) to a compulsive use of initials. (That is not not being concise. It makes the text read being concise. It makes the text read slower.) slower.) I moved at a dead run for most of two days. I never b.u.mped into anyone, not quite, but with that crowd it was b.l.o.o.d.y likely every second. And they were all running too.

And always I felt I was accomplishing something!

"Read this." Okay, and I made chicken-marks as I went. Ruined one once and had to reprint the page. "Have you read-?" "No, who's got a copy? Find it." "How do I save copy on the machine?" I did that over and over. "The copier's jammed-" "How do I print something out downstairs?" People who found Friday's paper kept telling me they loved loved "How to Save Civilization and Make a Little Money." It'll stay on as a subheading. Maybe someday a b.u.mper sticker? "How to Save Civilization and Make a Little Money." It'll stay on as a subheading. Maybe someday a b.u.mper sticker?

Things slowed down late in the afternoon. It was bewildering. The first paper (what to advise the Admin to do instantly) is nearly ready. The second, more comprehensive treatment of a viable s.p.a.ce program isn't quite so urgent. Both are in Dr. Pournelle's hands.

A few of us finished in the spa, pool and sauna.

The house is a disaster area. We've got leftovers everywhere, despite giving away what Chinese food we could and throwing away anything transient.

Marilyn collapsed at 9:00 P.M. and is sleeping like a brick.

I'm still hyper.

We still like each other, all thirty-odd of us. I particularly like Dave Griswell. And maybe we've actually accomplished something.

CONCLUSIONS.

I have nothing to compare this experience with. There's little I can offer as advice on how to improve the experience. But- We had two computers, a Diablo printer and a slower printer, a correcting typewriter, and a copier. I couldn't replace the ribbon or correcting tape because I only address letters with it; Bjo did that. One of us imported a computer-link and another Diablo. And the copier never got a chance to cool down! For this kind of seminar we needed anything that would write, but particularly the copier.

The volunteer gofers and typist were worth their weight in gold. It particularly helped that they had brains. Getting gofers with brains and dedication will not always be possible.

A huge coffee maker would have saved effort, but the coffee wouldn't have been as good. This may well be crucial.

Our house (I was told repeatedly) was perfect. What counted was the arrangement of rooms: we could gather everyone or isolate them.

I had reference materials on hand, though most such had to be brought in.

How much of this was crucial? I have no way of knowing.

In the Free Enterprise symposium I voiced few opinions of my own, but I was able to understand a little of what was going on. The reason for a tax moratorium on stuff manufactured in s.p.a.ce were clear enough. s.p.a.ce Is expensive enough without taxes; the United States pulls no taxes now from that source, so would not lose anything. Another point needed explaining: The law was murky. This need not bother a government-they could adjust the laws to fit whatever they're doing-but a corporation lawyer wouldn't be able to tell his employers how the law stood if they did thus and so. If we wanted corporations in s.p.a.ce, the laws would have to be made unambiguous. (And In general, this has been done.) We wound up with a lot of notes. Bjo Trimble, another volunteer, typed them into my machine upstairs.

That night Jerry told me he wanted Those notes rewritten. I said, "Sure. Tomorrow." The party party was just starting. These were some of the brightest people around; I wanted to probe their minds. was just starting. These were some of the brightest people around; I wanted to probe their minds.

"If I wanted you to do it tomorrow, I'd have said, 'Do It tomorrow,' he said.

Weird.

To make this work, some single ent.i.ty had to go Through all of the paper produced, get every attendee to ratify it then run a lot of it through a typewriter to finish turning it into English or to make it concise enough to read. Jerry Jerry found a volunteer: himself. He probably never considered found a volunteer: himself. He probably never considered me. me. He knows I couldn't do it, and wouldn't. He knows I couldn't do it, and wouldn't.

The report was loosed upon Washington in January, 1981.

HOW TO SAVE CIVILIZATION.

AND MAKE A LITTLE MONEY.

Report of the Free Enterprise Committee .

RECOMMENDATION.

The most important goal is to make s.p.a.ce self-sustaining, which means economically profitable.

We begin with the a.s.sumption that we wish to maximize freedom, in s.p.a.ce as well as Earth; and that a fundamental human right is the right to have and use property.

FREE ENTERPRISE SHOULD DEVELOP s.p.a.cE RESOURCES.

1.The President should make two clear statements of intent: "The United States of America must commit itself to extending free enterprise into s.p.a.ce."

"The Soviet Union has, and has repeatedly demonstrated, a direct interest in preventing free enterprise from entering s.p.a.ce."

2.Various international treaties (in particular, the Moon Treaty) concerning the exploitation of s.p.a.ce, must be carefully reviewed. The intended thrust of many past treaties has been to bar free enterprise from s.p.a.ce.

3.It will not forever be necessary to subsidize s.p.a.ce enterprises. Private investment in s.p.a.ce industry should be encouraged by: 3.1A 40% tax credit for all s.p.a.ce-related investments.

3.2A moratorium on taxes on the initial sale of goods and resources produced in s.p.a.ce, through at least the year 2000 A.D. A.D. The tax credit and moratorium should cover techniques and hardware designed to support activity in s.p.a.ce. Such incentives have been used in the past, by many nations, to good effect. The tax credit and moratorium should cover techniques and hardware designed to support activity in s.p.a.ce. Such incentives have been used in the past, by many nations, to good effect.

3.3U.S. patent, copyright, and trademark law should be extended to cover s.p.a.ce-related hardware, software, and products.

3.4A good many present regulations bid fair to cripple most small businesses on Earth, let alone a company trying to gain a foothold in s.p.a.ce. We need new, simple, specific laws to cover s.p.a.ce activities.

WITHDRAW FROM PRESENT s.p.a.cE LAW AGREEMENTS.

In 1967 the U.N. accepted a Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer s.p.a.ce, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. This proposed treaty would have required that "all activities in s.p.a.ce be conducted exclusively by states." The U.S. properly rejected this attempt to forbid private development of s.p.a.ce resources. Note that the Communications Satellite Corporation, which is not an agency of the U.S. government, was created to operate for profit in s.p.a.ce. The proposed treaty would have left its status in doubt.

In 1967, compromise between the U.S. and Soviet Union on the Treaty on Principles placed two limitations on private companies. First, "activities of nongovernmental ent.i.ties in outer s.p.a.ce, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate state party to the treaty." (Treaty Art. 6) Second, "each state party to the treaty that launches or procures the launching of an object into outer s.p.a.ce, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, and each state party from whose territory or facility an object is launched, is internationally liable for damages to another state party to the treaty or to its natural or juridical persons by such object or its component parts on the Earth, in air s.p.a.ce, or in outer s.p.a.ce, including the Moon and other celestial bodies." (Treaty Art. 7) This treaty has chilled the investment environment for private corporations interested in financing s.p.a.ce activities. The treaty's requirements are without parallel in the private sector. For example, if a Pan-American Airways 747 crashes and damages foreign property or persons, then Pan-American and its insurers, not the U.S. government, are liable for the damage. However, if a s.p.a.ce object owned by a U.S. corporation does exactly the same damage, the U.S. government is internationally liable to the government of the state in whose territory the damage occurred. The result has been government control where none is needed and extensive regulation where none is required.

Additionally, many important provisions of the 1967 Treaty on Principles are extremely vague. This vagueness does not affect investment by a government in s.p.a.ce, but no potential investor could meaningfully predict the legal and economic risks of private s.p.a.ce operations.

After the Treaty on Principles was ratified in 1967, about half the nations of the world acceded to it. Far fewer nations have ratified three later treaties pa.s.sed by the U.N. These include a Convention on Rescue and Return of Astronauts, a Convention on International Liability for Damages Caused by s.p.a.ce Objects, and a Moon Treaty. Like the 1967 Treaty on Principles, each of these treaties is an academic exercise in international law made far in advance of the reality it purports to control. These treaties do not, and cannot, take into account the rapidly changing nature of s.p.a.ce technology. They cannot be amended to reflect a nation's changing economy. They fail to address the legitimate needs of private corporations to own s.p.a.ce resources and exploit them for profit. They are really more political statements by the Third World and the USSR than a workable set of legal rules for the initial development of s.p.a.ce resources.

For example, these treaties declare that all s.p.a.ce resources in the Solar System are "the common heritage of mankind," a phrase interpreted by most nations to mean "common property." This term is also found in the Law of the Sea Treaties. It is an example of how less developed nations are attempting to limit U.S. access to natural resources. This "common heritage" clause has already been used by the United Nations to impose an indefinite moratorium on deep sea-bed mining.

The U.S. should immediately act to withdraw from the 1967 Treaty on Principles and the 1972 International Liability Convention. The U.S. should carefully review the desirability of remaining in the Registration Convention and the Rescue Convention, and should consider, after thorough study, whether to withdraw from these international agreements.

The Reagan administration has several specific opportunities to reverse the recent weakness in U.S. international s.p.a.ce policy. The following events in 198 1-1983 are critical: (A) The U.S. should ask United Nations Committee on the Peaceful United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer s.p.a.ce Uses of Outer s.p.a.ce that the "Moon Treaty" be returned for renegotiation to safeguard private enterprise and human freedoms in s.p.a.ce. The U.S. delegation should maintain constant vigilance over s.p.a.ce activities at the United Nations. that the "Moon Treaty" be returned for renegotiation to safeguard private enterprise and human freedoms in s.p.a.ce. The U.S. delegation should maintain constant vigilance over s.p.a.ce activities at the United Nations.

(B) In 1982 the U.N. will host the Second Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer s.p.a.ce. Second Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer s.p.a.ce. This meeting will be a trial run for at least the next decade of treaty negotiations and radio frequency allocations. The U.S. must submit its National Position Papers to the United Nations. The Reagan Administration should form a task force of s.p.a.ce law experts who are known supporters of private enterprise and human freedoms in s.p.a.ce to prepare these papers. This meeting will be a trial run for at least the next decade of treaty negotiations and radio frequency allocations. The U.S. must submit its National Position Papers to the United Nations. The Reagan Administration should form a task force of s.p.a.ce law experts who are known supporters of private enterprise and human freedoms in s.p.a.ce to prepare these papers.

(C) In 1983 the Region 2 (Americas) of the International Telecom International Telecommunications Union will hold an will hold an Administrative Radio Conference-s.p.a.ce Administrative Radio Conference-s.p.a.ce Broadcasting. Broadcasting. The Reagan Administration should resist the territorial claims of nations over geosynchronous...o...b..t, stand up for U.S. rights to have direct broadcasting over any area of the Americas, and insist that solar power satellites be allowed to beam power back to the Earth. The Reagan Administration should resist the territorial claims of nations over geosynchronous...o...b..t, stand up for U.S. rights to have direct broadcasting over any area of the Americas, and insist that solar power satellites be allowed to beam power back to the Earth.

POSITIVE STEPS TOWARD PRIVATE SECTOR.

INVOLVEMENT.

In Wealth of Nations Wealth of Nations Adam Smith pointed out that South America has greater economic potential than North America. North America is more economically advanced because of the structure of its economy. This ill.u.s.trates the need for a favorable matrix to foster a flourishing economy. The Reagan Administration should submit legislation to the Congress to create a favorable economic climate in s.p.a.ce. Adam Smith pointed out that South America has greater economic potential than North America. North America is more economically advanced because of the structure of its economy. This ill.u.s.trates the need for a favorable matrix to foster a flourishing economy. The Reagan Administration should submit legislation to the Congress to create a favorable economic climate in s.p.a.ce.

Favorable tax policies and a clarification of the legal conditions in which s.p.a.ce ventures occur would be an important step forward and would require no governmental expenses beyond the costs necessary to enact the necessary legislation.

First, a 40% tax credit should be allowed on all high technology investment, including research and development, to direct our national strategy toward the creation of new industries, which could be expected to provide new sources of employment, taxes and foreign exchange. Naturally s.p.a.ce industries would be included within the high technology sphere. Since this result would be at least as desirable as the production of power from solar energy, the 40% investment credit enacted to encourage solar energy investment should be expanded to include many other high technology research and development efforts.

Second, s.p.a.ce is presently an economically underdeveloped environment. Many underdeveloped terrestrial nations have enacted tax moratoria to promote industrial development. Profits from the initial sale of s.p.a.ce-produced goods and services, including data as a salable commodity, should be exempted from taxes. Similarly, no customs duties should be a.s.sessed on products from s.p.a.ce. This provision already applies to less developed nations on Earth. This moratorium from taxation and duties should last at least until 2000 A.D. A.D. to facilitate the founding of a wide spectrum of s.p.a.ce industries. to facilitate the founding of a wide spectrum of s.p.a.ce industries.

Private s.p.a.ce industry will require clearly defined laws. Private s.p.a.ce activities under U.S. jurisdiction should be exempt from all federal and state regulations except for those specifically enacted to control s.p.a.ce activities by the Congress of the U.S. on a case by case basis. For example, U.S. patent, trademark and copyright law should apply to U.S. business activities in s.p.a.ce.

None of these moves are guaranteed to create American industries in s.p.a.ce. The most the United States government can do, is to make the risk less fearsome, the profits more attractive.

There have been six meetings of the Council. Five took place at our house. The last was held at the Pournelles', because Marilyn was half-paralyzed with a worst-case ruptured lumbar disk. (Ihe operation worked. She's in good shape now.) We have frequently heard our phrasing worked Into the Presidenrs speeches.

Star Wars went through the Niven household.

Arthur Clarke and Robert Heinlein were present during that session. They were on opposite sides: Clarke opposed all of the Star Wars approaches. In this he was hampered: In greeting Max Hunter, he announced that Max had taught Arthur everything he knew about orbital mechanics.

This is typical of Arthur: give credit where due.

Max replied, "I didn't teach you enough, Arthur." (After all, there was was an argument going.) an argument going.) Jerry gives Marilyn and her team of volunteers credit for the Trealy of Trealy of Tarzana. Tarzana. Marilyn is a wonderful hostess-a nitpicking Virgo-and her team of volunteers were as fanatical as any of us. Marilyn is a wonderful hostess-a nitpicking Virgo-and her team of volunteers were as fanatical as any of us.

Sat.u.r.day afternoon of the second meeting, proponents of various approaches surrounded our breakfast table. Each had his own idea of how to stop a flurry of incoming nuclear warheads.

General Danny Graham favored impact devices, "High Frontier," the logical heir to Arthur Clarke's original notion: take out a missile by firing a shotgun sh.e.l.l in retrograde orbit. Impact: ten to eleven miles per second. Max Hunter and others favored ground-based lasers: catch 'em incoming, or even loft a mirror and bounce the beam off that. Lowell Wood, Edward Teller's deputy, favored orbiting gamma lasers. Quarreling had already been reported in the news.

Afternoon became evening. They sat about the breakfast table, trying to work out some compromise . . . . . . while smells from the kitchen surrounded them. No door there, l.u.s.t the edge of a wall. They heard Marilyn ask, "When shall we serve dinner?" and they heard Jerry answer, "When this team comes to an agreement." while smells from the kitchen surrounded them. No door there, l.u.s.t the edge of a wall. They heard Marilyn ask, "When shall we serve dinner?" and they heard Jerry answer, "When this team comes to an agreement."

We starved them out.

The Treaty was basically an agreement not to rain on each others parades. In public, "All of these techniques should be tried; all may be necessary."

We're calling it SSX now: a small, wingless ground-to-orbit s.p.a.cecraft that uses everything NASA NASA learned before they ossified. The sixth meeting of the Council ratified a strong appeal for an SSX. learned before they ossified. The sixth meeting of the Council ratified a strong appeal for an SSX.

But the Citizens Advisory Council has seen several shapes for what Gary Hudson calls the Phoenix rocket design. They're truncated cones. They're small. They use densified fuel (you keep chilling the hydrogen and oxygen until they become slushy), aerospike engines (a ring of them around a cone, and you fake the cone), spindly little legs used for landing only, no wings, a seleciion of peaceheads for cargo or fuel fuel or pa.s.sengers. or pa.s.sengers.

And they're private enterprise (though Gary has finally compromised and accepted a government contract for a big dumb booster rocket).

If he ever builds a Phoenix, Marilyn and I will be aboard the first flight of the corporate rocket. We bought our way in early.

And now Jerry's claiming that we tore down the Berlin Wall at Niven's house! It's hard to disprove. The argument goes: 1)The National Defense Initiative went through the Niven household before it was loosed upon the nation.

2)Opponents kept having their facts shot out from under them-and always came to the same conclusions-until their position started to look a little silly. Meanwhile, it was was being funded. being funded.

3)The Soviets couldn't compete with the expense of Star Wars techniques.

4)They went to glasnost glasnost instead. instead.

If you ask me, the Germans (both sides) ought to pick some st.u.r.dy, not too ugly section of the Wall and keep it. Build a museum with the Wall as its major support wall! The Wall is not a part of history that should be forgotten. h.e.l.l, they could even have races: over the wall, any technique is legal, a paint bullet disqualifies you.