We welcome your questions about SEDS, SEDS-USA, SEDS-Earth, and individual chapters. Click here to ask us a question. We will answer as soon as possible.
We will NOT answer your random science questions here. Please ask those in the forums or elsewhere. Thanks!
Can I start my own SEDS chapter or do I need to ask first?
Sep. 25, 2010
Go ahead. Start a chapter at your school if one doesn’t exist. We won’t stop you or come shut you down! Actually the first step towards having a nationally or globally (for SEDS-Earth) recognized chapter is to set up the group at your school, so go ahead!
We do ask that you let us know that you’re working on a new group at your school and recommend that you get involved and pay any dues on the national level when the group is up and running (for USA groups, see SEDS Dues). If you’re forming a new group, send a brief message and any questions to expansion@seds.org
We do ask that you let us know that you’re working on a new group at your school and recommend that you get involved and pay any dues on the national level when the group is up and running (for USA groups, see SEDS Dues). If you’re forming a new group, send a brief message and any questions to expansion@seds.org
How can I get involved in SEDS?
Sep. 25, 2010
The easiest way to get involved is to join your school’s SEDS chapter if the school has one.
If your school doesn’t have a chapter, the first thing you should do is start one! Gather a few friends or just other folks you find that are interested in space, follow the school’s process to start up an “official” student group (or just be unofficial), contact the SEDS-USA Director of Chapter Expansion (who has some group info for you to fill out), and pay the $25 group dues. Now you’re an official chapter!
Now we do encourage you to go beyond that once you are part of a chapter. Get involved, create a outreach program, student project, or write a paper about a space technology or space policy. Teach other students about the benefits of space exploration, or just drag them along to the yearly SEDS SpaceVision conference (definitely worth attending).
Also, if you want to contribute to the national organization in some way please do! We are just a few devoted students running the group on the national level and we would love to have your help and assistance in any department, be it Web Development or Chapter Affairs! Just contact chair@seds.org if you’re interested in helping.
If your school doesn’t have a chapter, the first thing you should do is start one! Gather a few friends or just other folks you find that are interested in space, follow the school’s process to start up an “official” student group (or just be unofficial), contact the SEDS-USA Director of Chapter Expansion (who has some group info for you to fill out), and pay the $25 group dues. Now you’re an official chapter!
Now we do encourage you to go beyond that once you are part of a chapter. Get involved, create a outreach program, student project, or write a paper about a space technology or space policy. Teach other students about the benefits of space exploration, or just drag them along to the yearly SEDS SpaceVision conference (definitely worth attending).
Also, if you want to contribute to the national organization in some way please do! We are just a few devoted students running the group on the national level and we would love to have your help and assistance in any department, be it Web Development or Chapter Affairs! Just contact chair@seds.org if you’re interested in helping.
What happened to the searchable NGC database?
Sep. 25, 2010
The searchable NGC database is still available for public use at http://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngc.html . If you encounter any issues with using the database or other databases hosted on the website, feel free to e-mail webmaster@seds.org for help.
What is SEDS?
Sep. 25, 2010
SEDS is a 30-year-old, independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and inspiring people through our involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to our future in space.
What types of students can be involved in SEDS?
Sep. 25, 2010
The simple answer is all types!
SEDS is mainly a group of College and University students in the United States and abroad, but we also are interested in having high school chapters and many of our college groups do outreach with younger children.
You also don’t have to be an Aerospace Engineer or a Physicist to be a SEDS member. If you think space is interesting and exciting and want to DO SOMETHING to help humanity make progress on this new frontier, you are welcome to contribute your talents and they are probably needed!
We are always seeking to have more students who are studying to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, business students, artists, etc. All of those professions have a place in the space business and can help at the very least spread the message that space exploration is interesting and an important part of our culture.
SEDS is mainly a group of College and University students in the United States and abroad, but we also are interested in having high school chapters and many of our college groups do outreach with younger children.
You also don’t have to be an Aerospace Engineer or a Physicist to be a SEDS member. If you think space is interesting and exciting and want to DO SOMETHING to help humanity make progress on this new frontier, you are welcome to contribute your talents and they are probably needed!
We are always seeking to have more students who are studying to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, business students, artists, etc. All of those professions have a place in the space business and can help at the very least spread the message that space exploration is interesting and an important part of our culture.
Your organization and pursuits are admirable. My primary concern is for the coming generation of scientists and explorers. What you are doing is right on the money. I work at NASA’s Ames Research Center, in Flight simulation, specifically, the Vertical Motion Simulator. We simulate both aircraft and spacecraft as pertains to handling qualities and human factors studies. We regularly run simulations for the Astronaut Office as they prepare for missions. Our Shuttle Simulator assists Mission Commanders and Pilots in approach, landing and rollout tasks. We have also simulated the next generation Lunar Lander, with help from Apollo pilots who have returned to provide feedback on our efforts. We also simulate fixed-wing and rotorcraft aircraft for all kinds of studies. I must ask a question – what about Aeronautics? Without aeronautics there is no involvement in space. The two cannot be separated, which is why NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Our Astronauts, especially Commanders and Pilots, are veteran pilots of military aircraft, and that experience enabled them to go on to space. My question is, for the most part, rhetorical. I hope SEDS places ample importance on Aeronautics as it works to prepare the coming generation of explorers for space. steve