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2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Thanks and congratulations to all who organised and supported the following events: |
Protest Rally US defense minister Rumsfeld at the Munich Conference for Security Policy Bayerischen Hof, Promenadeplatz, Munchen, Germany
New US defense minister Rumsfeld will be at the Munich Conference for Security Policy from 3-4 February.
Until last year it was called "Wehrkundetagung" - and that's the term Rumsfeld used in his announcement.
He said he would meet his European colleagues at the "Wehrkunde conference".
With local groups in Munich, the (German) Global Network will be convenor of a protest rally in front of the hotel were the conference is
(probably) held.
Regina Hagen will be one of the speakers.
(More details - PDF format, in German)
February 10-12, 2001
This annual conference of DoE, NASA, Air Force, aerospace industry, and nuclear academia promotes the expanded use of nuclear power in space.
Join the Global Network as we protest the funding of continued research and development on the nuclear rocket; nuclear reactors and probes for Moon/Mars missions; and nuclear power for space-based weapons.
As the DoE expands its production of space nuclear devices workers at Los Alamos and other labs are facing increased contamination.
Our large rally will be on Saturday, Feb 10 from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. This will
enable folks who work during the week to come and be part of this important effort.
On Sunday, Feb 11 we will vigil at the hotel from 12:00 - 3:00 pm and then
again on Monday, Feb 12 we will vigil again from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
(See Bruce Gagnon Interview)
Following WWII, Nazi rocket scientists were brought to Huntsville to develop the U.S. space program.
Today, Huntsville¹s Army Redstone Arsenal is in charge of the Theatre Missile Defense (TMD) system, and NASA¹s Marshall Space Flight Center is developing the nuclear rocket.
Huntsville is also being considered as the space-based laser test site.
This conference and protest will bring together key activists like South African poet Dennis Brutus, Janet Cuevas, Bruce Gagnon, Holly Gwinn Graham, Karl Grossman, Andrew Lichterman, Sally Light, Peter Lumsdaine, Chris Ney, Alice Slater, Bill Sulzman, David Waters, and others.
This event will be co-sponsored by the War Resisters League and Vets for Peace (North Alabama Chapter).
(More details, program etc.
April 14, 2001
We are calling for support outside Downing Street from noon on Saturday
14th April to get the message 'JUST SAY NO TO STAR WARS, TONY' across to the
Prime Minister, said CND Chair Dave Knight.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
A special US delegation consisting of a Texan cowboy, four arms dealers, two
high-ranking military personnel and an Uncle Sam will be paying a visit to
Downing Street at 12.30 and will be welcomed at the gates by Tony Blair.
Coincidentally, a CND delegation will be delivering a Declaration of
Protest to Downing Street which calls on the British Government to halt
collaboration with the US on missile defence and to refuse permission for
the use of Fylingdales radar station and Menwith Hill communication centre.
Unfortunately, it seems likely that the PM will find himself torn between
his desire to accommodate the new US militarism and his responsibility to represent the British public.
Meanwhile, across the street and in front of the Ministry of Defence CND
supporters will be gathered with their placards behind a large, yellow 'SAY
NO TO STAR WARS' banner and next to a large map of the UK which highlights Yorkshire.
It is believed that Tony Blair will be inviting Uncle Sam to plant his Stars
and Stripes on that particular piece of real estate after having sold out to the Texan cowboy.
There will be short speeches by Jeremy Corbyn MP, Dave Knight and Carol Naughton (CND Vice-Chair).
Actress Emma Thompson sent the following message of support:
"Do not be fooled. BMD is a Bloody Mad Deadend. Protest now. Later it may be too late."
Further information from CND Press Officer Nigel Chamberlain
(See
April 24, 2001
We need to gather to show opposition to UNM's role in placing weapons and nuclear power in space.
In February we gathered at the Hyatt Hotel when UNM's chemical and
nuclear engineering department hosted another space conference to
promote space war plans and nuclear power in space. Local people have
been protesting at this conference since 1992 under the leadership of
Bruce Gagnon of the Global Network Against Nuclear Power and Weapons in Space.
Now, UNM is getting bolder by honoring the organizer of these
conferences with an award because he has attracted a lot of military and
corporate funds to UNM for war related research. Dr. El-Genk will
receive an award from UNM and then present a speech on the need for
nuclear power in space. His speech is summarized on the UNM web site
under the Institute for Space and Nuclear Power (www-chne.unm.edu/isnps).
He will talk about exploration but this is
the cover for the US Air Force's space command's plan to build orbiting
nuclear powered laser weapons platforms and nuclear powered rockets
(www.spacecom.af/mil/usspace/visbook).
Not only is this UNM work destabilizing to a peace process because they
accelerate a new weapons race in space, the work UNM is doing supports
plans to directly violate treaties which prevent weapons from being
placed in space. UNM's regents and scientists seem to have no concern
for the ethical and illegal nature of their research.
Plan to arrive early, bring signs, literature, banners, and noise
devices. We will be on the street but this is a public event open to
the community.
For more information, contact the Alb Center for Peace and Justice, 268-9557.
Bob Anderson
May 3, 2001
Join us from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm as we protest this annual gathering of Pentagon, NASA and aerospace
industry representatives as they gather to promote the nuclearization and
weaponization of space. Topics that will be discussed at "Space Congress"
include the nuclear rocket and "missile defense."
Lt. Gen. Kadish is in charge of development and testing of the "missile
defense" program -- also known as the "Son of Star Wars." Each National
Missile Defense (NMD) test costs over $100 million. The first three tests
from Vandenberg AFB in California were failures. There are 16 more tests to
go.
Needed social, education, health, and environmental spending will have to be
cut in order to pay for this new "corporate welfare" for the aerospace
industry.
In Brevard County call Maria Telesca at (321) 632-5977 for more information.
Join us for the 9th anniversary meeting of the Global Network.
Included in the events will be: protests at U.S. Star Wars radar facilities in Menwith Hill and Fylingdales; an international Star Wars conference; and the general membership meeting of the Global Network. Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) will host the meetings.
Help us build this vital global movement to stop the nuclearization and weaponization of space.
Working together it can be done!
(See Conference web-site;
May 12, 2001
This is the site that will do the ground testing of the space-based laser.
Contact: thewillers@netzero.net
May 13, 2001
A sort of street fair/march/5k race combo event.
Send a clear anti-NMD message to the Space Command.
Complete details about the event are on the web at: www.pikespeakjusticeandpeace.org/race.html
May 19, 2001
A nonviolent backcountry security zone occupation, with rally and gate action; to expose, challenge and disrupt Vandenberg's counterinsurgency (and Star Wars) satellite facilities.
[Vandenberg Action Coaliton - http://www.geocities.com/vafb_m19/, endorsed by Global Network] From VAFB M19: Greetings all. Thank you for your interest and energy going into the May 19th action. Many incredible people have been working overtime since last October to raise awareness around the issue of the connections between the WTO, IMF and the Military. These efforts will culminate in a variety of ways on May 19, 2001, Armed Forces Day. If you are interested in housing, we have a "base camp" set up a few miles from Vandenberg. E-mail us at vafbm19@riseup.net and let us know how many people you are expecting to bring down, and we'll send you the directions. Although we may have some indoor housing available at the base camp, please be prepared to camp outdoors and have your own food if you choose to attend the base camp/action. Trainings will be provided at the base camp. There will be a rally held at 1:00 PM on May 19th at the North Gate at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This is a legal rally that may also have a non-violent civil disobedience (nvcd) component to it. You do NOT have to participate in the nvcd if you do not want to risk arrest. There will be legal support if you do choose that route. Please do not let this component discourage you from coming out to enjoy the music, poetry and speakers that will bless us for the rally. Directions on how to get to the North Gate will also be posted to our web site, http://www.geocites.com/vafb_m19/. In terms of transportation: if you plan on attending the May 19th rally and are leaving from Santa Cruz, (or can get to Santa Cruz), people are meeting at 701 Ocean Street (The County Building) at 7:00 AM. We are planning on car pooling. Please call Cappy at (831) 459-6990 by Tuesday, May 15, 2001 or call Lisa at (831) 469-4005 after Tuesday if you need a ride or can give a ride. We do have a van reserved should the need arise. If you are setting up a carpool from another location please let us know at vafbm19@riseup.net, so we can get you in contact with other people from your area looking for rides. Feel free to bring banners, missiles, puppets, flyers, video cameras, still photo cameras, audio recorders! We would love to have record of this experience! This event has not only been an incredible learning experience for all of those involved, it has also created the bridge needed to connect many of the issues we strive to teach about. This is the glue needed to build a strong movement. We hope this rally/action will inspire you to join an organization to continue the education necessary for change. We would like to ask at this time for you to consider a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the rally (stage, sound system, speakers, musicians). If you can make a donation BEFORE the rally, you can make checks payable to Santa Cruz Direct Action Network and mail them to 515 Broadway Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Or, if you would consider a donation at the rally, that would be great!! We look forward to seeing you on May 19th! Peace The organizers of M19.
(See also report: Protest Actions at Vandenberg Air Force Base)
May 22-24, 2001
All aspects of nuclear weapons and "Star Wars" will be covered.
Schedule
Notes:
For more information contact: Sally Light,
May 29, 2001
From 5pm to 7pm. Please bring your banners and placards.
More information from Labour CND at 0207 820 9709 or London CND on 0207 607 2302.
See Blair must make Bush rethink on Star Wars by Tam Dalyell opposing Britain's involvement in Star Wars.
June 5, 2001
Lafayette Park - across the street from the White House, Washington D.C.
Tell President Bush, the Congress and their Corporate Sponsors:
Stop Star Wars and the Militarization of Space!
President Bush and his chief Star Warrior, Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld, have made clear their determination to deploy "National
Missile Defense." It's dangerous madness that must be stopped!
We will gather at the White House and in the halls of Congress to oppose
Star Wars and the militarization of outer space, and to call for the
only realistic solution to the scourge of nuclear weapons: their
complete, global elimination.
(See: Pictures from Washington Demonstration
Lobby training on June 11 and Congressional Education Day on June 12.
For more information see: www.projectabolition.org
See also - Don't follow leaders ....
RESERVATIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE PHILADELPHIA AREA BUS to the
The Bus will Depart from FRIENDS CENTER (15th & Cherry Sts) - at 9 AM
The Bus is sponsored by the Abolish Nuclear Weapons Working Group of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
(See also: http://commondreams.org/news2001/0607-07.htm)
June 12, 2001
Former Senator Jo Vallentine will speak - and also former Sen. Dee Margetts (who has just taken up her new parliamentary seat in WA's Upper House).
Also - some fun with someone closely resembling Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer!
Banners include - "Ballistic Missile defence is a waste of space" and "Don't be BUSHED into Star Wars - Keep space for peace".
June 12/3, 2001
A large coalition of Belgian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are joining forces to protest against the visit of George W. Bush to Brussels.
They are organisating a protest on 12th June 2001, (the date of his arrival) and on 13th June when he will meet with NATO leaders.
All the groups who are part of the coalition are angry at the way in which Bush has contravened several international agreements, on
the issues of climate change and energy, human rights, disarmament, and globalisation.
They have taken a common position: "George W. Bush must respect international agreements".
There will be a demonstration at 6pm on 12th June,
12 June 6pm, Demonstration opposite US Embassy in Brussels (rue du Régent 27, 1000 Bruxelles).
13 June Demonstration at NATO headquaters, Brussels. Meet metro station "Bordet" 9am.
Demonstration
On Wednesday June 13th George Bush is visiting the NATO headquarters at Brussels, where he will meet the heads of state of the Western alliance.
The development of Star Wars will be the major item on his agenda.
We cannot let this summit pass without making our feelings known. Under the common idea 'respect international agreements' a group of Belgian and
international NGO's calls for a non-violent demonstration. At this moment the group consists of 11..11.11, Attac (against financial speculation),
Bond Beter Leefmilieu (Flemish environmental umbrella organisation), War Resisters International, Greenpeace, Inter Environment Wallonie (Walloon
environmental group), Oxfam Solidariteit and For Mother Earth.
We plan a short march to NATO headquarters with a clear message to the Heads of state and for President Bush. All organisations and participants
are invited to make signs concerning the themes of the international agreements that Bush is violating (e.g. nuclear disarmament, human rights, climate).
We also have a 'Wanted Poster" that reminds people of the international crimes against Humanity and the Planet that Bush is
committing. This poster can be downloaded from the website www.geocities.com/bushwanted;
and adapted to suit your needs.
We expect some counterdemonstrations of the financial world, the oil industry and the military industrial complex which will see their welcome
party for the President disturbed.
The participants to the action will be invited to sign a "non-violence engagement declaration", and we expect everyone on the demonstration to
take a non-violent attitude (verbal as well as physical). There will be legal support for anyone arrested.
The meeting point for the demonstration is 8:30 am at Metro Station "Bordet" in Brussels. The demonstration will leave for NATO headquaters
at 9am promptly.
We hope to make a maximum use of the internet to make this action successful. Please spread this acton alert and the 'Wanted' poster as
widely as possible.
Updates can be obtained on our website www.geocities.com/bushwanted/
On Tuesday evening, June 12th there will be a protest vigil in front of the US embassy. More information about this vigil is available on the
website.
For Mother Earth
See: Report on Brussels Demonstration
June 21, 2001
This will be the third year of our all-day "Peace Park" event here in Portland, which will be held at Deering Oaks Park, on June 21, 2001.
"Peace Park" is an offshoot of World Peace and Prayer Day, which began in 1996 with the Unity Ride - an intertribal horse ride from Saskatchewan to South Dakota.
World Peace and Prayer Day is inspired by the vision and leadership of Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. Some of the causes championed by Chief Looking Horse include: interfaith partnerships, conflict resolution, human rights, philanthropy, community strengthening, environmental issues, sustainable development, elimination of poverty, demilitarization and non-proliferation, to name a few.
June 21st is also National Aboriginal Day in Canada, and pow-wows and other events will be held in solidarity with this holiday (which is badly needed here in the United States).
The event begins at 9 am and ends at 9 pm. It is free and open to all. At 6 pm hear the rocking sounds of the earth-centered band "Wheel." During the day there will be drumming circles, open mike, children's crafts, information tables, special guest speakers and interfaith prayer ceremonies.
If you can, bring something for the pot-luck and small gift for give-away. Some refreshments will be provided. Though the event is free, donations will be accepted.
Planned special guests include: David Spirit Bear (Walton), a vocal advocate for Native American rights; Bob Norell, an advocate for establishing a Native heritage site (possibly at Deering Oaks) for Southern Maine; and Evening Rain, editor of My Two Beads' Worth
We will also have petitions to sign for Mumia and Leonard Peltier as part of Necessary Dissent's "Month of Action", as well as one to establish a National Native American Holiday here in the United States.
FMI or to volunteer, contact: MORGAN JONES
June 22, 2001
Peace Values Project
June 23, 2001
Join us to Protest the Launch of Another Aegis Warship from Maine!
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine (across from the main gates on Washington Street in Bath)
**Rides are available! We will meet at the Peace Action Maine office at the corner of Center and Pleasant Streets in Portland (across from Brian Boru) at 12:45pm to coordinate rides to Bath.
On Saturday, June 23, the Arleigh Burke Class Aegis destroyer U.S.S. Mason will be launched from Bath Iron Works Shipyard in Bath, ME.
Peace Action Maine protests this launch and the building of other Aegis warships for the following reasons:
1) The Aegis destroyer is primarily used to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have devastated targets in Iraq, Yugoslavia (including the Chinese embassy), Sudan, and Afghanistan, and have caused hundreds of civilian casualties. Peace organizations around the world oppose the Aegis destroyers because of their use as long-range enforcers of aggressive U.S. policies that inevitably result in civilian casualties.
2) The approximately $976 Million spent on this Destroyer should be used to meet Maine’s and America’s human needs; this is enough to:
3) We cannot contribute to world peace by building weapons of war!
A large-scale demonstration is planned to greet the June 23 launch, part of a broad-based citizens’ protest against the building of this nuclear-capable ship. Peace Action Maine’s Raging Grannies, local matriarchs, activists, and vocalists will sing songs of peace and inspiration to the assembled public.
Call Scott at 772-0680 for more information.
June 25/9, 2001
This is the time of year that Congress makes decisions about how they will
spend taxpayer dollars in the coming year.
While some in Congress are calling for a delay in deployment of National
Missile Defense (NMD) they support moving toward deployment of Theatre
Missile Defense (TMD) as soon as possible. TMD will be used to surround and
provoke China.
Many politicians in both parties also support a continued "robust" research
and development program for Star Wars.
In order to increase pressure on Congress the Global Network urges you to
call your Senator and Congressperson during the week of June 25-29.
Demand a real end to Star Wars and the waste of our tax dollars! Please
pass this message on to others as well.
June 28/9, 2001
Sponsored by the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis
Invited panelists and speakers for the two days include: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Lt.
General Ronald Kadish, Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, and various "Star Wars" Ballistic Missile Defense contractors (Lockheed
Martin, Boeing, Raytheon).
Ballistic missile defense, national missile defense, theater missile defense - its all Star Wars. And it must be stopped.
Protest Star Wars and the Militarization of Space. Protest the business of Star Wars which protect the profits of the Star Wars' military contractors.
Stand against Bush's policy of Star Wars "inevitability" at this major conference of military, legislative, and corporate Star Warriors.
Protest in front of the Radisson Hotel (a mile from Lockheed Martin's Valley Forge complex):
Thursday, June 28, noon - 2pm, prior to the opening keynote address of Congressperson Curt Weldon (R, Delaware Co.) - the Congress' chief
advocate and self-described "pit bull" of Stars Wars;
Directions:
(From PA Turnpike) - Take Turnpike to Exit #24, Valley Forge.
(From Route 202) - Take Pottstown exit, (Route 422 West) to first exit (Bridgeport - Rt. 23 East).
The SEPTA bus #125 stops right in front of the Radisson Hotel/Valley Forge Convention Center.
Check out the web site of the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, http://www.ifpa.org, for a full agenda of this Star Warriors conference.
Remember,
For more information:
See report: Defending the Northeast, America and Our Allies from Ballistic Missile Attack
June 30, 2001
Members and supporters of Leicester CND will be outside the Space Centre in Leicester on opening day Saturday 30th June from 9.30am.
July 4, 2001
More details: MObuszewski@afsc.org
This will be the sixth consecutive year a demonstration takes place at the NSA at Fort Meade, MD. It is well-known that the Puzzle Palace taps into
all telecommunications including telephone calls, faxes and e-mail and also gathers data through its interception of communications from commercial
satellites, spy satellites and other means. But the NSA will also play a role in BMD, so the Fort Meade protesters plan to spoof the concept of a
missile shield with balloons and possibly kites.
See BERN holds annual independence day protest at NSA.
July 4, 2001
Replacing previous demonstration cancelled because of 'foot and mouth' crisis.
THEN ON TO WHITBY TO JOIN THE DEMONSTRATION ORGANISED BY FYLINGDALES ACTION NETWORK (FAN)
These bases are crucially involved with the American Missile Defence System Meet at the layby on the A59 near Menwith Hill (opposite the Black Bull pub) at 10 am - drive round the base several times then on to Fylingdales and Whitby
Decorate cars, coaches etc - fly the US flag with 'STOP STAR WARS' on as we drive from Menwith to Fylingdales Whitby
We will read the:
See report on CAAB website
July 8, 2001
Contact: Brandywine Peace Community,
brandywine@juno.com
July 12, 2001
Contact: (212) 228-0450
July 14-6, 2001
Also: Abolition of weapons of mass destruction & environmental racism of the nuclear cycle.
Contact: peaceactionnm@aol.com
July 14, 2001
Noon to 1:30 PM, Saturday, July 14 (just two days before the anniversary of the 1st atomic test blast)
Lockheed Martin, Mall & Goddard Boulevards, Valley Forge, PA
"What began with "Trinity" (the first atomic test blast 56 years ago)
and the atomic bomb continues with Lockheed Martin and Star Wars"
For more information, call the Brandywine Peace Community, (610) 544-1818
See: First Bush Missile Defense Test July 14
July 14, 2001
5-7 pm outside Menwith Hill Base
More details: CAAB website
July 14, 16, 19, 2001
The expected Star Wars Test will be in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.
CND will protest at the US Embassy at 3.00pm Sunday and then 6.00pm on Monday.
Bring anything to make noise, colour etc.
We will have a short leaflet promoting our action at Chequers on 19th July.
Contact National CND, 020 7700 2393 if you would like further details.
July 16, 2001
The JustPeace Committee is to hold another vigil on Monday,
July 16th from 7:00-9:00am (yes, in the morning) on the anniversary of the first atomic explosion...Trinity.
Contact: thewillers@netzero.net
July 16, 2001
The anniversary of "Trinity" and the start of the nuclear age,
Join us in Moorestown, New Jersey at Lockheed Martin's Aegis Warship site
(and home to the Navy's "Star Wars" Theater Missile Defense plan),
Centreton & Hartford Rds., for a 7 AM sunrise vigil of commemoration and protest.
Directions available at the Brandywine Peace Community web site: www.geocities.com/brandywinepeace/index.htm
For more information, call the Brandywine Peace Community, (610) 544-1818
July 18, 19 2001
President George W. Bush will be visiting Tony Blair
at Chequers on his way to the G8 meeting in Genoa, probably on the 19th July. This is a great opportunity
to tell Bush what we think of his National Missile Defence plan, which would give the US the power to use
its vast nuclear arsenal without fear of retaliation.
NMD goes against the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, and is leading to a new arms race.
(i) PROTEST: Wednesday 18th July, 5.00pm, opposite Downing Street, London (organised by London CND)
The protest starts at 5.00pm, and there is a public meeting afterwards at 7.00pm, at the House of Commons
(ii) PROTEST: Thursday 19th July, all day, Chequers, Buckinghamshire
(PLEASE NOTE: Because Bush's schedule is unconfirmed, THIS DATE IS PROVISIONAL check the Student CND Network website for the latest information at
www.studentcndnetwork.freeserve.co.uk)
July 26, 2001
For those brave souls who can hang, stay until dark
with candles.
On Friday, July 27 at 1am, Vandenberg will test launch the Peacekeeper ICBM. This system is part
of the nuclear warfighting system and definitely needs our signs, banners and attention to stop it.
Signs and banner info may include: Stop Star Wars, stopping war is not a crime (Greenpeace actioneers
have received felony charges!), stop arrest and jail persecutions of vandenberg protesters, stop the NMD in
Alaska, stop the spy satellites, etc.
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB
Window: 7/27/01 08:01Z to 7/27/01 14:01Z
The Air Force successfully conducted the first test flight of the Peacekeeper June 17, 1983, from Vandenberg Air Force
Base, Calif. The missile traveled 4,190 miles (6,704 kilometers) before dropping six unarmed test reentry vehicles to
planned target sites in KMR.
The Peacekeeper missile is America"s newest intercontinental ballistic missile. The Peacekeeper is a four-stage intercontinental ballistic
missile capable of carrying up to ten independently-targetable reentry vehicles with greater accuracy than any other ballistic missile. Its
design combines advanced technology in fuels, guidance, nozzle design, and motor construction with protection against the hostile nuclear
environment associated with land-based systems. The Peacekeeper is much larger than Minuteman, over 70 feet long and
weighing 198,000 pounds. It is a four stage missile like the Minuteman III, with the first three stages being solid
propellant and the fourth stage bu hypergolicly fueled with hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Although capable of carrying eleven
Mark 21 RVs, treaty limits mandated deploying the Peacekeeper with only ten RVs. The entire missile is encased in a
canister in the silo to protect it against damage and to permit "cold launch". The Minuteman II and III ignite their first
stage engines while in the LF, but the Peacekeeper is ejected by pressurized gas some fifty feet into the air before first
stage ignition.
The Peacekeeper is a three-stage rocket ICBM system consisting of three major sections: the boost system, the
post-boost vehicle system and the re-entry system.
The boost system consists of three rocket stages that launch the missile into space. These rocket stages are mounted
atop one another and fire successively. Three of the four stages exhausted their solid propellants through a single
adjustable nozzle which guided the missile along its flight path.
Motorcases made of kevlar epoxy material held the solid propellants. The fourth stage post-boost vehicle employed a liquid
propellant rocket propulsion system to provide velocity and attitude correction for missile guidance. The post-boost
vehicle also employed a self-contained inertial navigation system that allowed the missile to operate independent of
ground reference or commands during flight.
The 28-foot first-stage solid-fuel rocket motor is capable of boosting the missile to about 75,000 feet. The 18-foot long
second-stage motor propelled the missile to an altitude of about 190,000 feet. The rocket motor in the eight-foot third
stage supplied the thrust to boost the missile to about 700,000 feet.
The post-boost fourth stage vehicle was designed to maneuver the missile into position for the multiple reentry vehicles
to deploy in their respective ballistic trajectories.
Following the burnout and separation of the boost system"s third rocket stage, the post-boost vehicle system, in space maneuvers the
missile as its re-entry vehicles are deployed in sequence.
The post-boost vehicle system is made up of a maneuvering rocket, and a guidance and control system. The vehicle
rides atop the boost system, is about 4 feet (1.21 meters) long.
The top section of the Peacekeeper is the re-entry system. It consists of the deployment module, up to 10 cone-shaped
re-entry vehicles and a protective shroud. The shroud protects the re-entry vehicles during ascent. It is topped with a
nose cap, containing a rocket motor to separate it from the deployment module.
The deployment module provides structural support for the re-entry vehicles and carries the electronics needed to
activate and deploy them. The vehicles are covered with material to protect them during re-entry through the atmosphere
to their targets and are mechanically attached to the deployment module. The attachments are unlatched by gas pressure from an
explosive cartridge broken by small, exploding bolts, which free the re-entry vehicles, allowing them to separate from the deployment
module with minimum disturbance. Each deployed re-entry vehicle follows a ballistic path to its target.
The Peacekeeper was the first U.S. ICBM to use cold launch technology. The missile was placed inside a canister and loaded into the launch
facility. When launched, high-pressure steam ejected the canister from the launch silo to an altitude of 150 to 300 feet, and once the
missile has cleared the silo, the first stage ignited and sent the missile on its course. This technique allowed to launch the
Peacekeeper from Minuteman silos despite the fact that the Peacekeeper was three times larger than the Minuteman III.
July 30, 2001
On July 30, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary for Defence Donald Rumsfeld will be in Canberra, talking to our minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and to Minister for Defence Peter Reith.
High on the agenda will be Missile Defence and the US efforts to enlist the support of our government for this system.
Missile defence will set back efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons by decades or reverse them completely.
Our government needs to hear a message from you: 'NO' to missile defence/Star Wars. And NO to Australia's involvement in this plan through the Aust/US joint facilities at Pine Gap near Alice Springs.
Protests against missile defence/Star Wars are planned for 4pm July 30th at US consulates in Sydney and Melbourne.
Please note also that Friends of the Earth in Melbourne is starting a collective to work on this campaign - come along to the first official meeting on Thursday 2 August at 4pm.
Meeting to discuss missile defence and plans for national protest at Pine Gap Easter 2002: @ Friends of the Earth (upstairs meeting space) - 312 Smith Street, Collingwood: 4pm Thursday August 2.
Contact:
August 4, 2001
(More details)
August 4, 2001
August 4 from 11 AM to 1 PM will call attention to the administration's
dangerous plan to install a missile shield, thus abrogating the ABM treaty which has prevented nuclear war for the past 30 years. Carol
Wolman and John Lewallen of the Nuclear Peace Action Group will speak at an open mike.
On Monday, August 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, people will gather for a silent vigil at the peace/friendship plaque on the Mendocino headlands
just south of the parking area at the west end of Little Lake Street to commemorate Hiroshima Day.
August 5, 2001
Contact:
August 5/6, 2001
August 6, 2001
Contact: Brandywine Peace Community,
brandywine@juno.com
August 6, 2001
August 9, 2001
Contact: Brandywine Peace Community,
brandywine@juno.com
August 9, 2001
Contact: Brandywine Peace Community,
brandywine@juno.com
August 25, 2001
Saturday, Noon
Among the speakers at the event will be:
For more info contact: (212) 987-5020 or http://www.nationalactionnetwork.org
August 27, 2001
Peace Movement Aotearoa, pma@xtra.co.nz
Greenham anniversary protests. Background blurb now on the PMA website at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/gnham20.htm
September 6-8, 2001
CODE TO HOLD TOWN MEETING IN DELTA JUNCTION
CODE - Citizens Opposed to Defense Experimentation - will be holding a press conference TODAY , Thursday, September 6 at 12 noon to discuss their plans for a town meeting in Delta Junction on Friday and a demonstration at Ft. Greely on Saturday. The press conference will be held at AkPIRG, 507 E Street, Suite 213, Anchorage.
The Delta Junction town meeting will take place at 6:30 PM at Rica's Roadhouse, mile 275 on the Richardson Highway on Friday, September 7th.
The CODE demonstration will occur at Ft. Greely's main gate from 1-3 PM on Saturday, September 8.
Current CODE Members: Alaska Impact, Alaska Action Center, Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), Alaska Injured Workers' Alliance (AIWA), Green Party of Alaska - South-central Bioregion, Cook Inlet Keeper, Kodiak Rocket Launch Information Group, Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AkPIRG), No Nukes North, Greenpeace.
See: demonstration report
September 29, 2001
NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON - the first day of the Sept 29-Oct 2
Washington DC convergence against the IMF and World Bank.
More details from: www.iacenter.org
October 5, 2001
(An international teach-in to be held in Ottawa to address why the state
is using military and police force to protect the interests of global corporations against democracy. To be held during the opening of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings.)
Panels 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Evening Panel 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Special Saturday October 6, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Registration & Information
Sliding scale for the full day $20 to $60
Supporters include: End the Arms Race, GRACE (Global Resource Action Center
on the Environment), The Council of Canadians, The International Forum on
Globalization, Veterans Against Nuclear Arms, Coalition to Oppose the Arms
Trade, Canadian Labour Congress, Ottawa and District Labour Council,
Canadian Union of Public Employees, National Union of Public and Government
Employees, Canadian Auto Workers, Ontario-PIRG Ottawa, Canadian Union of
Postal Workers, Canadian Voice of Women and Science for Peace.
Peter Coombes,
October 6-7, 2001
A project of the Nuclear Free Great Basin Campaign:
http://www.shundahai.org/nfgb/nfgb.html
October 13, 2001
Reports from world-wide actions.
October 24, 2001
White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1111
Because the U.S. has chosen to bomb Afghanistan, one of the most tragic and war ravaged countries in the world, the Washington Peace Center and the National Coalition for Peace and Justice (a coalition of the nation's largest peace and justice organizations) urge you to join the growing international movement demanding the there be "No More Victims."
We urge you to unite with thousands of concerned citizens from across the country and call President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and your senators and representatives and ask them to:
(1) Exercise the Rule of Law, not the Rule of Force, in bringing those responsible for the September 11th attacks to justice. War is not the answer.
(2) End the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan to allow aid workers to return and restore the delivery and distribution of essential aid to Afghan civilians. Food drops and bombs are not the answer.
(3) Strongly support the United Nations¹ special representative, Frances Vendrell, and the UN-led peace process in Afghanistan.
(4) Defend civil liberties and condemn attacks on American Arabs, Muslims, Sikhs and all.
The National Call-In Day has been endorsed by the National Coalition for Peace & Justice, which includes Peace Action, War Resisters League, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Education for Peace in Iraq Center, Women¹s Association for Nuclear Disarmament, Pax Christi, American Friends Service Committee and other national organizations. November 9, 2001
Report from action.
December 1, 2001
BUSINESS LEADERS FOR SENSIBLE PRIORITIES
1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1520 1, 2001 Chasing Windmills of Peace is this war necessary? are there alternatives? caipirinha productions, in association with mother jones magazine san francisco film
centre: doors open at 5pm |
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