MEETING REPORT
USAFA SPACE ADVISORY GROUP
25 MAY 1999
I'm pleased to report that we had several excellent meetings last week to discuss our perspectives on the Academy's space education activities. The group of grads in attendance were Jay Kelley, Van VanInwegen, Bob Giffen, Ron Hindmarsh and myself.
In the morning, we met with representatives from the faculty to discuss our white paper on this subject (which can be found at the web site: members.aol.com/usafaspace/grads). The group was organized by Col. Mike DeLorenzo from the Astro Dept, and included Col Ron Reed (Biology), LCols Gary Yale and Randy Liefer (Astro), Maj Francis Chun (Physics), and Capts Matt Carroll and Ted Miller (34th Ed Group), and Capt Bill Pakula (Physics).
I think we acomplished a lot. In addition to agreeing on the scope of this group's activities and providing perspectives on issues raised in our white paper, some new sparks were struck. For example, the meeting was cited by the faculty as having been one of their best joint space activities. The faculty agreed to relate their classroom lessons to more real-world space examples, including first-hand experiences cadets can get using space-derived products and support. We provided some new insights on the importance of systems engineering education, not only to industry, but to improve Air Force officer performance. We also questioned whether the recently published "Space Power Theory" will be used as a reference, but no one there knew about it.
Instead of starting a new cadet club for space, the faculty suggested that we work with the student AIAA Chapter (Mike De Lorenzo will provide a POC). Local grads could work with them in a variety of ways. It was also suggested that if a company funded a field trip, "it would get a lot of folks attention."
Mike also discussed his ideas for summer training experiences, including use of space terminals during field exercises such as the planned Global Engagement and survival training, field trips, contractor displays, and perhaps a visit from the "vomit comet". (During the meeting, it was discovered that the Astro Department has some GPS PLGR's that the Commandant's shop needs for field exercises.)
It was suggested that grads could help educate the faculty by providing lunchtime brown bag seminars and arranging summer faculty trips. Active duty grads would also do a great service by promoting Academy teaching opportunities as good professional experiences and encouraging outstanding officers to apply.
The faculty needs both motivational display hardware as well as equipment to support testing of experimental satellites being built. Van offered to look for equipment at TRW. Displays of aerospaceplanes, etc. may help motivate cadets about their potential to fly in space (many, of course, come in wanting to be astronauts.) Van will also donate historically significant personal material to the Cadet Library.
Reviewers are needed for the PDR and CDR of Falconsat 2 later this Fall and in the Spring of 2000.
We also discussed the status of various space-related courses, including a Space Doctrine and Strategy course which is still in work and the Space Operations major, which will likely be absorbed into the Astro major (a more demanding engineering program, unfortunately).
After lunch, Van and I went over to Doolittle Hall to meet with AOG execs Dick Coppock and Jim Shaw. Jim is taking the AOG helm after Dick's upcoming retirement, so it was good to have both their inputs. They concurred with our plans to channel any funding support we generate through the AOG, and suggested that we consider creating a "space chapter" of the AOG, if the Academy leadership thought this was a good idea. The AOG sits on the panel which is building the Academy's strategic plan, and they agreed to represent our perspectives in that activity. Finally, they agreed that we should keep other grads informed about the status of this activity through AOG channels.
Later in the afternoon, we met with BGen Dave Wagie, Dean; BGen Steve Lorenz, Commandant; and Col Brian Binn, Vice Superintendent. In short, they were in full agreement with the findings and recommendations of our white paper (which they had studied ahead of time), welcomed our support, and gave us their guidance for the next steps we should take.
BGen Lorenz stated that the Academy leadership recognizes that space is and will become more important to the Air Force, and that their primary objective regarding space is to give all cadets exposure to and appreciation this fact. In addition, for cadets who want to be space and missile operators, the Academy aims to give them the skills and experiences they need to move successfully in that direction. Our recommendations regarding what educational experiences belong in those two groups seemed to be a welcome input.
We asked for information about whether entering cadets are excited about learning about space at the Academy. Although no one there could answer this question, they encouraged us to talk with the admissions folks. I will follow up. We may also be able to provide inputs to recruiting material (including a CD ROM now in preparation) to highlight the Academy's space education opportunities.
We discussed the problem that some cadets are reluctant to get into space ops because of the connection to missile operations, and we agreed to see what we can do to provide a more balanced, considered perspective of the value of missile operations experience in an officer's career. Jay Kelley has volunteered to lead this effort, and, at the Academy's request, he will speak to the Wing on this subject during the next academic year. Van will also speak to the cadets about space operations.
We were requested to help connect the Academy with AF Space Command, in a broad range of areas. Jay and Van agreed to tackle this task. Van will suggest that the NDIA Space Committee do a study of how to improve USAFA-Space Command interaction.
Regarding arrangements we need to make for providing space-related material for display at the Academy, we were asked to work with Dwayne Reed from the USAFA library.
We also discussed the possibilities for providing space-related displays at the Visitor Center. Mike DeLorenzo will look into this idea.
There was strong support for getting space-experienced officers to talk with cadets. BGen Wagie requested that we help develop a directory of contacts in the local area who would be good resources for talks to cadets about space. Van will work this through the local NDIA chapter; Jay will also make a list.
Col Binn liked the idea of developing a "spacemanship" program to parallel the long-established airmanship activities, and asked us for more specific ideas. We agreed that there are many opportunities in the local area (Peterson, Schriever, etc) which should be pursued.
There was general agreement that we should work through the AOG, with sponsorship from Space Command. On the advice of the Academy staff, we agreed that this group should not be given any other official status. I will work with the AOG to formalize this arrangement, possibly to be called the Space Advisory Group.
Finally, the generals stressed that although we had suggested many good ideas, the limitation on resources doesn't allow them all to be developed. They stressed that we should identify two or three major projects from among our many ideas, and then provide the funding to get them started. I have the action to follow up.
Submitted 30 May 1999
Stan Rosen