U.S. Space Industry Preparing to Transform the Future at 19th National Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.(Oct. 22, 2002) — Despite a weak global economy, space industry revenues are expected to rocket past the $145 billion mark in 2002. New launch systems are coming on line. NASA is articulating a bold new vision for future exploration. And space-based systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation and communication are expected to play an ever-increasing role in national security and homeland defense. Against this backdrop of sweeping transformation, the space industry is gearing up for what promises to be its most exciting and interesting annual gathering ever – the 19th National Space Symposium. Hosted by the not-for-profit Space Foundation and strongly backed by most of the nation’s leading space companies, the symposium is held each April in Colorado Springs – the military space capitol of the world and home to such influential military organizations as NORAD, Northern Command and Air Force Space Command. The 19th National Space Symposium (theme: “Transforming the Future”) will be held April 7-10, 2003 at The Broadmoor Hotel. Already the roster of speakers, panelists, exhibitors and sponsors reads like a “Who’s Who” of the industry. More than 4,000-space professionals from around the world are expected to participate. “Despite weakness in the economy and serious concerns about overcapacity in the satellite manufacturing and commercial launch sectors, there is great forward momentum in the space industry right now,” said Elliot G. Pulham, president and chief executive officer of the Space Foundation. “We are seeing earlier commitments and more forward planning for this event than ever before.” Among the speakers already expected for the April event are the Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable James Roche; Commander-in-Chief of NORAD and commander of Northern Command, Gen. Ralph “Ed” Eberhart; NASA Administrator, the Honorable Sean O’Keefe; commander of Air Force Space Command, Gen. Lance Lord; Department of Defense Director of Research & Engineering, the Honorable Ronald Sega, and other luminaries. The premier annual gathering of the U.S. space industry, the National Space Symposium is the only event to fully integrate all sectors of the industry – civil, commercial and national security – to ensure relevance and value for all participants. Topics of discussion for the 2003 conference and trade show include

• “Space & the War on Terrorism: Operators Share the Lessons Learned”
• “The National Aerospace Initiative (NAI) – Revealing the New Technologies and Next Steps”
• “Transforming the Space Industrial Base”
• “The Role of Space in Homeland Defense and Homeland Security”
• “The View from Washington”
• “Space Systems and Technologies for First Responders -Systems, Solution, Products and Markets”
• “Views from the Top – a CEO Roundtable”

Program content will be expanded in the months ahead, ensuring that only the most timely and critically important issues are addressed. With billions of dollars in business-to-business space deals struck each year at the conference, the National Space Symposium places heavy emphasis on executive networking. Major special events planned for 2003 are * Opening Ceremony (April 7) with the presentation of the Douglas S. Morrow, Jr., Public Outreach Award; and the Space Foundation Space Achievement and Education Achievement Awards

• Corporate Partnership Dinner (April 8)
• Presentation of the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award (April 9) at a special luncheon
• 15th anniversary Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner (April 10)
• Space Career Fair for college students (April 10)

Reflecting the importance of the National Space Symposium across all sectors of the industry, virtually all major U.S. space companies have taken high profile corporate sponsorship roles, including

• Analytical Graphics
• BAE Systems
• Ball Aerospace & Technologies
• The Boeing Company
• Computer Sciences Corporation
• Eastman Kodak
• Harris Corporation
• Infinite Links
• Lockheed Martin
• Microsat Systems
• Northrop Grumman
• Oracle
• Orbital Sciences
• Penwal Industries
• Space.com
• Space News
• SpaceVest
• Spectrum Astro
• TRW

Despite the fact that its size has once again been expanded, the Boeing Exhibit Center is quickly reaching capacity. Of the more than 400 companies and organizations expected to participate in the symposium, nearly 100 will be exhibitors. For a current exhibitor list, to register online or get more information on the agenda, speakers and sponsors visit www.spacesymposium.org, or call the Space Foundation at (US) 719-576-8000, or toll-free in the US and Canada at 1-800-691-4000. The Space Foundation is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to vigorously advance and support civil, commercial and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. In addition to the National Space Symposium, the Foundation and its partnering organizations will conduct the Space at the Crossroads Conference, Feb. 19, 2003, at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC; and the International Space Symposium, Oct. 28-30, 2003, at the Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, DC.