Grammy Award winning Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller to open Strategic Space 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 17, 2005) — The Space Foundation announced today that American Gramaphone artist Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller will return as the featured performers at the Opening Ceremony for Strategic Space 2005 on Tuesday, 4 October. The conference, which addresses both the space-related and strategic missions of United States Strategic Command, takes place 4-6 October at Omaha’s Qwest Convention Center and Arena. Davis and Mannheim Steamroller also performed at the Opening Ceremony for Strategic Space 2004. Davis has sold more than 36 million albums and is known worldwide for his Fresh Aire series and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums. The unique music that earned Davis and Mannheim Steamroller a GRAMMY award has been described as “18th century classic rock” where classical elements collide with rock and roll rhythms. “It is an honor to have Omaha’s own Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller again open Strategic Space,” said Elizabeth Wagner, vice president of Strategic Partnerships for the Space Foundation. “Their energetic and innovative sounds help set a dynamic tone for the entire event.” The Opening Ceremony, Mannheim Steamroller performance, and Opening Reception are co-sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Other key sponsors of Strategic Space 2005 are Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), ATK, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Blue Ridge Networks, The Boeing Co., Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and SAIC. Featured speakers include Gen James E. Cartwright, USMC, Commander, United States Strategic Command; Lt Gen James R. Clapper, Jr., USAF (Retired), Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; Lt Gen Robert Kehler, USAF Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command; Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, Commander, Air Force Space Command; The Honorable David Heineman, Governor, State of Nebraska, and The Honorable Dr. Ronald Sega, Under Secretary of the Air Force. The Space Foundation and Space News present Strategic Space 2005 to expand and continue the dialogue begun in 2003 at the first Strategic Space conference between the senior leadership of the Command, component and supported commands, the aerospace contractor community, federal officials and other leaders. Secure online registration, a complete program agenda, and speaker, exhibitor, and sponsor lists are available at www.StratSpace.org. The Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that advances and supports civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Space News is the premier business-to-business international news weekly dedicated entirely to the commercial and military space and satellite communications’ businesses. For more information, visit www.space.com/spacenews.