Chicago Society for Space Studies
Promoting Space Exploration For All of Us
Chicago Society for Space Studies is the largest space advocacy organization in Illinois and one of the oldest in the nation.
Our Mission
Space Education
To serve as a space education resource for the general public.
SPACE Policy
To provide input to elected officials on matters of U.S. space policy and to support policies viewed as having a posItive impact on space development.
speakers bureau
To serve as a regional center of excellence in delivering space-related educational programming to schools, museums, and other civic organizations.
public events
To host and/or sponsor public events and speakers that provide valuable space-related educational programs to the community.
We Have the Power to Impact Our Future, and We’re Doing Something About It
Those of us who have volunteered to organize, lead, conduct public outreach, and develop educational presentations are working to shape our future in space. It is our conviction that a dynamic program of space development is a key component of humanity’s ability to continue to improve our overall quality of life and standard of living. We hope that you too share our passion and that you will join us in our efforts to shape the future.
Happening Now
Asteroid Mining Program
The August 2025 meeting of Chicago Society for Space Studies will be the program Asteroid Mining presented by Larry Bartoszek, Vice President of the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC).
What’s New and Recent Activities
Roadmap to the Stars: Space Development Master Plan
Space development presents an opportunity to address some of Earth’s most pressing challenges — laying the foundation for a “quadrillion-dollar” economy that could significantly contribute to eliminating global poverty. To ensure coherent and effective progress — especially amid the growing involvement of national space agencies, private enterprises, and international stakeholders — a comprehensive Space Development Master Plan is essential.
Chicago Society for Space Studies Wins National Space Society Chapter of the Year Award
At the 2025 NSS International Space Development Conference, Chicago Society for Space Studies President Jim Plaxco was presented with the NSS 2024 Chapter of the Year Award. This award is the highest award that NSS presents to one of chapters.
Asteroid Mining Program
The August 2025 meeting of Chicago Society for Space Studies will be the program Asteroid Mining presented by Larry Bartoszek, Vice President of the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC).
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A new space race has begun, and most Americans are not even aware of it. This race is not about political prestige or military power. This new race involves the whole human species in a contest against time… To save the Earth we must look beyond it, to interplanetary space. To prevent the collapse of civilization and the end of the world as we know it, we must understand that our planet does not exist in isolation.