Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 17:26:34 -0400
From: NoFlyby Action Site <noflyby-AT-nonviolence.org>
Subject: AUT: Please sign this statement


Please consider endorsing this Statement: 
(See http://www.nonviolence.org/noflyby/alerts/sign-on.htm)


"Sign-on for 6/24/98 UN Cassini NoFlyby Press Conference"


	We, the undersigned, support the objectives of abolishing technologies and
weapons that threaten the mass destruction of life.  In particular, 

	WE BELIEVE that the scheduled August 18, 1999 Cassini space probe's
record-speed and record-plutonium flyby of Earth poses unnecessary risk to
life and should be abandoned.

	WE BELIEVE that NASA and the nuclear industry underplay the harmful impact
of radiation exposure.  

	Space programs have already released destructive amounts of plutonium
radiation into our atmosphere by nine documented accidents. The Cassini
space probe is carrying Plutonium-238 on board. Even if it had merely been
upgraded to today's plutonium powerpack yield rates, it could have used 5
times less plutonium. This shows how little NASA is concerned with the
amount of plutonium they use.  

            On June 23, 1997, Dr. Gerhard Strobl stated on German national
television that his company, Angewandte Solarenergie, has developed new
high-efficiency solar cells for the European Space Agency (ESA) which could
be ready within a few years to power deep space missions such as the
Cassini mission. Other solar options have been identified by NASA's own
scientists and engineers, as long ago as 1985, well before the Cassini
mission was designed. Why doesn't NASA devote the time and effort to
develop solar technologies for the mission?  

 	WE BELIEVE NASA is motivated not by beneficial science for humanity, but
by a desire for military funding. Using nuclear power on scientific
missions where alternative technologies exist can only be explained by a
desire to get the public used to using nuclear power in space, which is a
critical step in their plans toward the militarization of space. This
policy jeopardizes the health of everybody on Earth.    

	The June 1995 NASA Environmental Impact Statement reports, "In  the
unlikely event that a VVEJA or VEEGA inadvertent reentry occurred,
approximately 5 billion of the estimated 7 to 8 billion world population at
the time of the swingbys could receive 99 percent or more of the radiation
exposure."  

            A Cassini flyby accident could DOUBLE the current man-made
radiation activity in our atmosphere.  There is a debate among scientists
about how much damage this would cause. NASA claims that only "2,300 health
effects could occur over a 50-year period."  Dr. Ernest Sternglass,
professor emeritus of radiological physics at the University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine said that they underestimated the cancer alone by
thousands of times and there are new studies showing low-levels of
radioactivity are disproportionately more damaging than high levels.  In
light of reason such a dangerous and uncertain mission is ludicrously
irresponsible. NASA recently disclosed that 13 additional plutonium-fueled
space shots are possible in coming years. So even if Cassini avoids an
accident, NASA plans to continue to put humanity and life at risk.

	We BELIEVE that it is time to change the destructive path of the Nuclear
Military Complex, which continues to poison our Earth in the pursuit of its
hellish profits.  We believe it is wrong, in every aspect, to tax people to
fund their projects, which are a total disregard for the sacredness and
health of all life, and for science, the scientific method and our
democratic free choice and right not to be threatened.

       	NASA plans to direct the Cassini space probe around Venus toward
Earth on June 24, 1999.  We  have time and the responsibility to question
the safety of flybys and launches carrying dangerous amounts of plutonium
on board. It is time to say NO! to the heralding of another destructive
atomic age before we enter a new millennium.  We call upon our national
officials, religious leaders, and each individual to question NASA's
"right" to jeopardize life. 

       	Make August 18 an International Day of Awareness to stop the
advancement of all Plutonium technologies and weapons. 

       	Let's call for Congressional Hearings to review the risks of the
Cassini Earth flyby.

	 ". . . While we have much to learn through the exploration of space, in
this instance the grave potential danger posed by the plutonium on the
probe would seem to outweigh the potential benefit from this mission. It is
too important to squander the public's trust on such a risky mission. A
NASA that all Americans can support instills hope for the future, not fear
of tragedy . . ." (This quote is from a letter to President Clinton by 15
members of Congress, dated September 26, 1997.)

Signees:

Karl Grossman 
Michio Kaku 
Ross McCluney 
Ernest Sternglass 
Helen Caldicott 
Tina Bell  
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Metro, NY) 
Martin Kelly 
The Nonviolent Web 
Russell Hoffman 
Kai Petzke 
Ellen Thomas 
Prop 1 - Peace through Reason  
Bruce Gagnon 
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space (Globenet) 
Brian Keaney  
Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice 
Regina Hagen 
"Stoppt Cassini" Campaign 
Bill Sulzman 
Harvey Wasserman 
Barbara Wiednerb 
Grandmothers for Peace International 
Jonathan Haber 
Joe McIntire 
Action Site to Stop Cassini Earth Flyby

This statement is posted at
http://www.nonviolence.org/noflyby/alerts/sign-on.htm and can be obtained
by sending a SASE to: 
	NoFlyby,    P.O. Box 1999,   Wendell Depot,   MA 01380. 

PLEASE sign-on by writing to above address or to <noflyby-AT-nonviolence.org>

PLEASE distribute and use Sign-On Statement in letters to the editor, news
releases, postings on bulletin boards, etc.

For more information check out the NoFlyby Action Site
http://www.nonviolence.org/noflyby

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