Mr. Strickland has been an active member of space and science-related organizations since 1961, when he joined the American Rocket Society as a student member. In 1976 he joined both the National Space Institute and the L-5 Society the "parents" of NSS. He was the founder of the Austin Space Frontier Society and has served as its chairman from 1981 to the present.
He created the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award for the National Space Society in 1988, (shortly after the author's death), and has managed the award from its inception. He is the NSS Awards Committee chair. In 1988, Mr. Strickland was a founder of the NSS Chapters Assembly, and served as one of its officers. His involvement with both Austin environmental groups and CSI a national group working for better science coverage and less pseudo-science in the mass media has given him a unique perspective on such controversial issues as energy vs. environment.
Since 1976, Mr. Strickland has produced articles for The Space Review, NASAWatch, L5 News, Ad Astra, Space News, The Humanist, and other local and regional publications. His articles focus primarily on national space policy, access to space, space infrastructure, human planetary exploration and space solar power. His creation of a slide show and talk in 1990, explaining and promoting space solar power to non-technical audiences, led to the publication of his first technical SPS article in 1995, and a second in 1996.
He served as the director for science and space programming (about 50 events) at the 1997 LoneStarCon World Science Fiction Convention. He contributed a comprehensive chapter on energy systems in the book, Solar Power Satellites - A Space Energy System for Earth, edited by Dr. Peter Glaser et al., and published by Wiley-Praxis in 1998. In 2005 he also contributed the chapter "Access to Luna" to the 2005 book Return to the Moon. He since has contributed many technical papers and presentations to the annual NSS convention (the International Space Development Conference or ISDC), to the Mars Society's conventions, the Wireless Power Transmission Conference of 2001, the Houston World Space Congress in 2002, and the Toronto Space Solar Power Symposium in 2009.
Mr. Strickland lived for 30 years in western New York before moving to Austin, Texas in 1976. He received a B. A. in Anthropology with a minor in Biology from SUNY at Buffalo in 1967, and a second B.A. in Computer Science from St. Edwards University in Austin in 1986. He also earned graduate credits in both Anthropology and Biology. He worked as a professional programmer and analyst from 1980, and worked as a Senior Programmer/Analyst for the State of Texas in Austin from July, 1989 until June 2009.
His two volume work on the Human Future in Space: Developing Space and Settling Space, was published by Apogee Books in 2021 and is now available. It covers most aspects of space development, in-space transport and infrastructure, Mars expeditions, bases, settlement and terraforming, and interstellar expeditions. His books stress a practical approach to visionary goals.
MAJOR ARTICLE & PUBLICATION LIST - most with links - John K. Strickland, Jr. 12-2022
Our large book in 2 volumes: “Developing Space” & “Settling Space”, were published in April, 2021, covering humanity’s future in space. Large format, 751 pages, with over 200 color images, 85 are rendered. Authors: John Strickland and Sam Spencer, Art: Anna Nesterova, Order from publisher: Apogee Books (cgpublishing.com). Promotional web site: www.developing-space.com
11-28-2022 “Assembly lines in space” The Space Review
The Space Review: Assembly lines in space: Enabling construction of rotating space settlements
8-1-2022 “What is space development” The Space Review
The Space Review: What is space development?
2-21-2022 “Building Musk’s Path to Mars” The Space Review
The Space Review: Building Musk’s path to Mars
3-30-2020 “Why a business case for Mars settlement is not required” The Space Review
https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3908/1
5-28-2019 “Crew Safety During an Early Lunar Return” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3719/1
1-7-2019 “The struggle for a practical cis-lunar Transportation System” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3634/1
8-20-2018 “Rethinking the Mars terraforming debate” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3551/1
6-11-2018 “The Earth, space settlement, and the hard drive analogy” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3510/1
4-2-2018 “Why use lunar propellant ?” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3464/1
3-20-2017 “The cislunar gateway with no gate, revisited” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3200/1
10-17-2016 “Enabling a Mars settlement strategy with the Hercules reusable Mars lander” The Space Review http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3085/1
3-25-2016 The Space Show (Focus on getting from Earth to Mars Orbit and orbit to surface methods)
http://www.thespaceshow.com/show/25-mar-2016/broadcast-2672-john-strickland
2-26-2016 The Space Show (Focus on Mars: Transport, Bases, Resources and Settlements)
www.thespaceshow.com/show/26-feb-2016/broadcast-2654-john-strickland
1-26-2016 The Space Show (Focus on near term space issues.)
http://www.thespaceshow.com/show/24-jan-2016/broadcast-2630
1-10-2016 The Space Show (with Doug Plata - Debate on cis-lunar and lunar architecture, etc.)
www.thespaceshow.com/show/10-jan-2016/broadcast-2620
10-19-2015 “Solving the expendable lander and MAV trap” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2847/1
4-20-2015 “Moon and Mars are physically and fiscally feasible” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2733/1
1-19-2015 “Why humans should go to Mars and other places in space” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2678/1
10-13-2014 “The incredible, expendable Mars mission” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2618/1
6-23-2014 “It’s time for NASA to abandon the Apollo mission model” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2537/1
4-21-2014 “Humans and robots to the Moon and Mars: a unified and integrated space program strategy”
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2496/1 The Space Review
1-14-2014 “Doing the right thing when it’s Steamboat Time” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2432/1
11-2013 Mars Pirate Radio interview episodes
- Doug Turnbull – Episode XXXII (SLS and reusable launcher issues)
- Doug Turnbull – Episode XXXIII (Competing Goals, In-Space Operations and Logistics, EDL problem, SPS)
7-15-2013 Revisiting SLS/Orion launch costs” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2330/1
3-19-2013 The Space Show (Focus on Space Solar Power, Reusable launchers, Space Settlement, etc.)
http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/1977-BWB-2013-03-19.mp3
1-22-2013 The Space Show (Appearance with focus on Cis-lunar issues, Space Solar Power, general discussion.
http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/1934-BWB-2013-01-22.mp3 (Audio file)
1-21-2013 “Cis-lunar Transportation – the Space Trucking System” The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2221/1
10-1-2012 "The Cis-lunar Gateway with No Gate" The Space Review
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2165/1
11-2011 “The SLS: Too Expensive For Exploration?” The Space Review 11-28-2011
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1979/1
9-2011 “The SpaceX Falcon Heavy Booster: Why Is It Important?” NSS Web Site 9-30-2011
http://www.nss.org/articles/falconheavy.html
8/20/11 " Orbital Propellant Depots: Building the Interplanetary Highway”, NSS Web Site 8-15-2011, http://www.nss.org/articles/depots.html
8/2011 “Current Strategies Towards Air-Breathing Space Launch Vehicles”, The Space Review – August 1, 2011 http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1894/1
5/2011 “Access to Mars, A Mars Logistics System Based on a Reusable Mars Ferry” by John K. Strickland, Jr. Presented at the International Space Development Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, May 18-22, 2011. 107 slides. [PDF 2.3 MB] (download) NSS Web Site: (part of show is out of date: Mars Fleet now departs from EM-L1, not LEO)
http://www.nss.org/settlement/mars/AccessToMars.pdf
6/2010 “Space Tugs: Filling The Space Jobs Gap and Privatization Too!” SpaceRef – June 13, 2010 http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1401
2/2010 “NASA and Space - The Future vs. the Past” - SpaceRef – Feb. 11, 2010
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1377
1/2010 “Space fetishism: Obsession or Rational Action?” - The Space Review – Jan. 18, 2010
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1544/1
12/2009 “Space Solar vs. Base Load Ground Solar and Wind Power”
12/2009 “Global Warming in Perspective -Understanding Climate Change in a World of Contradictory Information” Both In the Journal for Space Communication (issue 16) at:
http://spacejournal.ohio.edu/issue16/main.html A 2 Page download of energy comparison also available in paper 1)
9/2009 “Base Load Power from Earth and Space” paper presented at the International Symposium on Solar Energy from Earth and Space” Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sept 8-10, 2009. Paper was written for IAF publication.
8/2009 “The Space-Industrial Complex In Transition” - SpaceRef – Aug. 2, 2009
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1342
12/2008 “There Is No Future In Manned Spaceflight - Says M.I.T.” - Yahoo Groups – Space Elevator Dec 17, 2008
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/space-elevator/message/8510
1/2007 “The ‘Base First’ Decision: Crew Survival and Reusability” - The Space Review Jan. 15, 2007
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/782/1
5/2006 “Space Advocate Reviews The Vision For Space In 2006” - SpaceDaily May 1, 2006
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Space_Advocate_Reviews_The_Vision_For_Space_In_2006.html
11/2005 “Access to Luna” chapter in “Return to the Moon” - Ed: Rick Tumlinson, Apogee Books, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, 2005 (softcover)
10/2005 “The Mega-Module Path to Space Exploration” - Space.com Oct 7, 2005
http://www.space.com/adastra/adastra_mega-modules_051007.html
9/2005 “The Urgency Of A Real Vision For Space Exploration” - SpaceDaily Sep. 30, 2005
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-05zz.html
1-2005 “Hubble Trouble: Saving Telescope May Require Non-Governmental Solutions”, Ad Astra Online 1-28-2005. (Site’s initial posted article) http://www.space.com/adastra/adastra_hubble_050128.html
(Most items below with no link):
10/2002 John K. Strickland Jr., "Population Pressure, Global Living Standards, and the Promise of Space Solar Power," IAC-02-R-1.06, Paper presented at 53rd International Astronautical Congress, (World Space Congress), Oct 10-19, 2002, Houston, Texas. International Astronautical Federation (Organizer) - may not have copy online: http://www.iafastro.org/. Abstract: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002iaf..confE.736S.
2001 “Global Alternate Energy Solutions: Practical or Not?” 2001 Wireless Power Transmission Conference – Reunion Island
- Strategic Thinking for Long-Range Mars Plans (For 1999 Mars Society Convention. Boulder, Co.)
http://www.marssociety.org/portal/TMS_Library/Strickland_1999/library_entry_plain_abstract (abstract only)
Book Chapter:
1/1998 “Advantages of Geosynchronous Solar Power Satellites for Terrestrial Base-Load Electrical Supply Compared to Other Renewable Energy Sources – or Why Civilization Needs Solar Power Satellites” IN: “Solar Power Satellites - a Space Energy System for Earth”, pp. 133-205, Ed: Dr. Peter Glaser et al., Wiley-Praxis, Chichester and New York, 1998 (academic hardcover)
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