24th National Space Symposium Set for Blastoff!

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Apr. 4, 2008) — The premier annual gathering of the global space community, the 24th National Space Symposium is set to begin next week. The symposium offers an outstanding program consisting of spectacular special events, prominent speakers, timely panels, and innovative education activities. This four day conference brings together more than 7,500 participants from across the United States and many foreign countries. The 24th National Space Symposium will take place April 7-10 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Symposium highlights include an extensive exhibit center with more than 140 companies and organizations represented, co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin; special events including a spectacular Opening Ceremony with award presentations and entertainment by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, co-sponsored by United Space Alliance; the elite Corporate Partnership Dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman; 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; the exclusive Space Technology Hall of Fame Private Induction Ceremony, co-sponsored by Cisco Systems; and the grand finale, the gala 20th anniversary Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner honoring the 2008 inductees featuring speaker Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD., co-sponsored by Space Florida.

Speakers from all sectors of space – civil, commercial, and national security – will highlight the accomplishments and address the opportunities and issues facing the space industry today. Among noteworthy speakers are The Honorable Wayne Allard, United States Senate; The Honorable Mark Udall, United States House of Representatives; The Honorable Michael W. Wynne, secretary of the Air Force; Gen. C. Robert Kehler, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command; Gen. Victor E. Renuart, USAF, commander, United States Northern Command and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command; and Ms. Anousheh Ansari, chief executive officer & co-founder, Prodea Systems.

Key panel discussions include “Mind the Gap: Shuttle Retirement and Other Challenges on the Road to the Moon and Mars;” “HOT TOPIC from Strategic Space and Defense 2007 — Operationally Responsive Space;” “The NASA Administrators’ Forum;” and “Climate Change, Space, and Implications for National Security.”

Other highlights of the 24th National Space Symposium include the Opening Night Reception, co-sponsored by ATK; Opening Night Fireworks and Late-night Reception, co-sponsored by Raytheon; the Corporate Partnership Cocktail Reception, co-sponsored by AMERICOM Government Services; and the Space Technology Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception, co-sponsored by Axiom Worldwide.

Additional co-sponsors of the symposium are Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, BAE Systems, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Cisco Systems, CSP Associates, Computer Sciences Corporation, Goodrich Corporation, Harris Corporation, Hitachi Consulting, Honeywell, Infinite Links, Intelsat General, ITT, Perot Systems Government Services, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, SEAKR Engineering, Inc., Stellar Solutions, United Launch Alliance, and U.K. Trade & Investment. 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.

Visit www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org for secure online registration, an updated program agenda, confirmed speaker list, and exhibitor list.

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.  The Space Foundation will conduct the inaugural Space Business Forum: New York, on June 18, in New York City, and along with partnering organizations, Strategic Space and Defense 2008, scheduled 6-8 October in Omaha, Neb.  For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

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