Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson to Deliver Capstone Speech of 24th National Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 21, 2008) — By popular demand, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, one of the most highly sought-after public speakers in America, will return to deliver the capstone address of the 24th National Space Symposium during the 20th anniversary Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner.  The symposium, the premier annual gathering of the global space community, will take place April 7-10 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The 20th anniversary Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, co-sponsored by Space Florida, begins at 7:00 p.m. on April 10 and concludes the week’s activities. Tyson is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History and the host of NOVA Science Now.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Tyson join us again to bring to a close what promises to be another stellar National Space Symposium,” said Elliot G. Pulham, Space Foundation president and chief executive officer.  “Dr. Tyson’s speech at the 2007 Hall of Fame dinner “The Universe is Good” was the highlight of the 23rd National Space Symposium. No one is more qualified to address this year’s theme “Our Expanding Universe” than Neil Tyson. Attendees at the symposium will again be able to enjoy and learn from the always insightful and entertaining observations of this remarkable man.”

It’s been a busy year for Tyson.  His The New York Times Best Seller, Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, continued to be a popular read; he was named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world; and Harvard University named him one of its 100 most influential alumni.  While continuing to host NOVA Science Now, Tyson also began pre-production planning to revise the famed COSMOS television series.

Despite being in heavy demand by the popular media – among other distinctions, he holds the record for the most appearances on The Colbert Report – Tyson has kept a keen eye on the cosmos and on the space industry.  His speech at the 23rd National Space Symposium was one of the highlights of the conference, and his return to the 24th National Space Symposium will be much anticipated.

The symposium brings together all sectors of space – civil, commercial, and national security – to highlight the accomplishments and address the opportunities and issues facing the space industry today. More than 7,500 registrants, guests, speakers, exhibitors, and media from across the United States and many foreign countries are expected to attend the 24th National Space Symposium.  Participants, who represent both the history and future of this $220 billion industry, include senior executive leadership from NASA, NOAA, and other civil space and government agencies; the commercial space and satellite broadcasting industry; the Department of Defense and military space commands; space entrepreneurs; universities and academia; and senior representatives from the global space industry.

Highlights of the 24th National Space Symposium include an extensive exhibit center representing more than 140 organizations and companies co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin; a spectacular Opening Ceremony, co-sponsored by United Space Alliance; Opening Night Fireworks and Dessert Reception, co-sponsored by Raytheon; the Corporate Partnership Dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman; and the presentation of the Space Foundation’s highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, at a luncheon co-sponsored by Boeing.

Additional co-sponsors of the symposium are Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Cisco Systems, CSP Associates, Harris Corporation, Honeywell, Infinite Links, Intelsat General, ITT, Perot Systems Government Services, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and Stellar Solutions. Media partners for the 24th National Space Symposium are Aviation Week, Space News, and Via Satellite. Frontier Airlines is the official airline of the conference.

Online registration and more information, including an updated program agenda, confirmed speaker list, and exhibitor list, are available at  www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity.  A leader in space awareness activities, major industry events, and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom, the Space Foundation is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo.  It conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office, and has field representatives in Houston and Cape Canaveral, Fla.  Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation also conducts Strategic Space and Defense 2008, scheduled 6-8 October in Omaha, Neb.  For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

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