Inaugural Florida Space 2005 set to convene at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 14, 2005) — The Space Foundation presents Florida Space 2005 Nov. 15-17 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The conference has drawn leaders and participants from throughout Florida’s diverse space community, and from government, Washington, D.C., and the space sector nationwide. Florida Space 2005 commences Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Rocket Garden with a performance by jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, an opening reception, and a fireworks display. Florida Space 2005 is expected to become the leading event serving the Florida space community and is conducted in association with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing, Florida Space Authority, and The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies. In featured speeches, dynamic panel sessions, and networking opportunities, participants will meet to address the opportunities and challenges facing Florida’s space industry and the resulting impact on its economy. Highlights of the conference include the opening ceremony, reception, and fireworks; keynote luncheons with Dr. Michael Griffin, administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command; a featured speech from The Honorable Toni Jennings, lieutenant governor of Florida; and the closing reception and dinner featuring The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force. More than 300 registrants, in addition to nearly 600 attendees at the opening ceremony, are expected to participate in various aspects of Florida Space 2005. The Space Foundation is also conducting a Space in the Classroom educational component on Friday, Nov. 18, in which a select group of local middle school students will learn about careers in aviation and aerospace, view aircraft and rocketry, and build and launch paper rockets. Key sponsors of Florida Space 2005 are Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, co-sponsor of the Opening Ceremony and Reception; United Space Alliance, co-sponsor of the Opening Night Fireworks; Booz Allen Hamilton, co-sponsor of Wednesday’s Continental Breakfast; Space Gateway Support, co-sponsor of the Wednesday Opening Luncheon; the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and Space Coast Office of Tourism, co-sponsors of the Wednesday Happy Hour; The Boeing Co., co-sponsor of the Thursday Keynote Luncheon; L-3 Communications, co-sponsor of the Thursday Cocktail Reception; and Lockheed Martin, co-sponsor of the Florida Space Gala Dinner. Other sponsors include Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), ATK Thiokol, Delaware North Parks Services, and Perot Systems. Florida Space 2005 builds on the best features of Space Congress and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Symposium, both long-time community space events now retired, and whose heritage will be honored at this inaugural event.

About the Space Foundation Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. In addition to Florida Space 2005, the Space Foundation annually conducts, along with its partnering organizations, the National Space Symposium, April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; Inside Aerospace, 24-25 April 2006, in Washington, D.C.; and Strategic Space, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.