18th National Space Symposium Deemed a Success

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Apr. 17, 2002) — `Biggest and best` say Space Foundation officials in describing the recently concluded 18th National Space Symposium. The symposium, which ran from April 8-11 at The Broadmoor hotel, brought more than 3,800 total participants to Colorado Springs for panel discussions, networking opportunities and to visit the 90 companies in the 26,000 square foot Boeing Exhibit Center. “Our number of paid registrants was off just slightly from last year,” said Steve Eisenhart, Space Foundation Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy, “but our total attendance actually increased.” Eisenhart said that more exhibitors and media participated in this year’s symposium. “We have a reputation for being the premier U.S. space policy and programs conference anywhere,” said Eisenhart, “and the overflow audiences for space leaders such as NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, Under Secretary of the Air Force Peter Teets, and General Ed Eberhart of U.S. Space Command are testimony to that reputation.” One of the most popular events of the week was “A Salute to America’s Military Astronauts” where 26 past and present astronaut heroes were honored at a luncheon. Other special events for the week included the presentation of Space Achievement Awards to the men and women of U.S. Space Command and the NASA/Industry Galileo Team. Gene and Majel Barrett Roddenberry, creators of “Star Trek,” were awarded the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award. The inaugural General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award was presented to Norman R. Augustine, chairman emeritus of Lockheed Martin. Satellite Radio Technology, and pioneering companies Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Radio Inc., were inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. The increasing popularity of the event is also marked by the early commitments for sponsorships of the 2003 Symposium. TRW has signed on to co-sponsor the Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, Ball Aerospace and Technologies will co-sponsor the Corporate Partnership Dinner, Spectrum Astro will co-sponsor the Opening Ceremony and Eastman Kodak will co-sponsor the Opening Reception. Oracle will sponsor the Internet CyberCenter with Space.com, who is also the Web site sponsor. The Boeing Company will again sponsor the Exhibit Center and SpaceVest returns as sponsor of the Official Poster. Space News is the symposium’s Official Sponsoring Publication, while Analytical Graphics Inc. is the Official Software of the 19th National Space Symposium. The symposium is conducted annually by the Space Foundation, a national non-profit organization advancing space endeavors and space education. For more information and to order symposium proceedings, visit www.spacefoundation.org.