Theme for 25th National Space Symposium

The Space Foundation recently announced the "The Next Space Age" as the theme for the 25th National Space Symposium. Celebrating its silver anniversary, the National Space Symposium is the premier annual gathering of the global space community. The event will take place March 30 - April 2 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"With the first half-century of the space age behind us and the industry changing on a global scale, now is the perfect moment to look seriously at the coming 50 years, or 'The Next Space Age,'" said Elliot Pulham, president and chief executive officer of the Space Foundation.  "The industry is mature and global, more space-faring nations are on the rise, the age of space access for everyone is rapidly approaching, and here in the U.S. we will have a new administration and Congress.  All these factors set the tone for 'The Next Space Age' which begins at the 25th National Space Symposium."

For 25 years, the symposium has worked to bring together all sectors of space - civil, commercial, and national security - to highlight the accomplishments and address the opportunities and issues facing the space industry. This symposium's theme "The Next Space Age" reflects the new wave of efforts and advancement in space. The theme and accompanying artwork will be carried throughout the symposium from the exhibit center to a program agenda featuring panels and keynote speakers from across the space industry.

The Space Foundation commissioned the art work for this silver anniversary event by artist Richard Green, who has done eye-catching work on 3-D and futuristic designs for a number of companies, including Mondo Media and Lucas Art Entertainment Company Studios. The artwork's depiction of a futuristic space home and astronaut family looks forward to the achievements of "The Next Space Age" and the upcoming generation of scientists, innovators, and explorers that will inspire, enable, and propel us there.

More information, including an updated program agenda and early confirmed speaker list, are available at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

This article is part of Space Watch: December 2008 (Volume: 7, Issue: 12).