posted 09-08-2017 08:29 PM               

In 2016, Pournelle was honored by the National Space Society with the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award:

This award recognizes Dr. Jerry Pournelle's many years of support for space science, exploration, development and settlement and his close association with Robert Heinlein. He was active in the NSS predecessor, the L5 Society, during its early years. Jerry served as co-chair of the very first ISDC, NSS secretary, and as a Board member.

Jerry was also Chair of the Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy. This group was active during the 1980s and was one of the most effective groups promoting specific space related policy positions at that time. Robert Heinlein was also an active member of that group. The group's early support of missile defense eventually led to the perceived need for an inexpensive launcher. The briefing that he and two others gave to then Vice President Quayle was instrumental in getting the approval of the DC-X program, overcoming government skepticism about the project. Jerry was present at White Sands on September 11, 1993 when the first large rocket, the DC-X vehicle, was reused.

Jerry has consistently supported the vision of self-sustaining human settlements in space and on planetary surfaces, and as part of a free, spacefaring civilization, which is at the very heart of the space movement. Jerry's work as a science fiction author, focusing on science fiction with realistic physics, has contributed to a better understanding of the limitations and the abilities of human space operations. Few have made such a rich contribution to these fields.

posted 09-09-2017 06:41 PM            

These three little science paperbacks from 1979, 1980, and 1982 were personally instrumental in my joining numerous space advocacy groups back in the '80s. From the L-5 Society to the National Space Institute to the American Space Foundation to the Space Studies Institute to the Planetary Society to Spacepac to SEDS and of course the National Space Club and the British Interplanetary Society. We had such high hopes back then. Rest in peace among the stars space pioneer.

From his 1979 compilation of "stories and articles about man's greatest adventure," "The Endless Frontier," page 253:

Now that you've experienced some aspects of life in the endless frontier, you might be interested in making these stories a reality. Not that it will be easy, or that it can be done soon; and of course no single organization is going to accomplish such a task. But the L-5 Society is one way for those interested to contribute.

If we do overcome our fears and go on to space, there will have to be reserved a large place in history for Robert Heinlein, whose stories have probably been responsible for attracting more people to careers in science than has any other author. — Jerry Pournelle

If science fiction is simply fun, skip this. But, if you believe as I do that our race can and will and must spread out into space, stick around.

The L-5 Society's sole purpose is to place a colony at Lagrange Point #5, the one trailing the moon at 60 degrees.

Sounds silly? It does to us, too, on gloomy days. We are about as far along as Willy Ley and von Braun and Goddard were in the '30s... but one generation later Neil Armstrong stepped down on Luna.

How's your nerve? Are your eyes on the stars? Send in your dues and join us. Welcome aboard! — Robert A. Heinlein (Member, L-5 Board of Directors)