Countdown Begins for 27th National Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 5, 2010) -- The countdown has begun for the 27th National Space Symposium, which is set for April 11-14 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Space Foundation is offering a Super Early Bird rate with up to $500 in savings for industry attendees who register before Jan. 14, 2011.

Symposium details, including the initial agenda, how to get the Super Early Bird rate, how to exhibit and how to become a sponsor, can be found at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

Extraordinary Agenda
Recognized as the premier gathering of the global space community, the 27th National Space Symposium will feature forums, panels, presentations, speeches, special events and ample opportunity to hear from and network with the space community's most influential leaders.

Last year's event featured more than 100 top-level speakers from around the globe. Early confirmed Symposium speakers and panelists for this year's event include:

• Wes Bush, chief executive officer and president, Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Col. Robert D. Cabana, USMC (Retired), former commander, Space Shuttles Endeavour and Columbia and current director of John F. Kennedy Space Center
• Gen. Bruce Carlson, USAF, (Retired), director, National Reconnaissance Office
• Col. Eileen Collins, USAF (Retired), former commander, Space Shuttles Columbia and Discovery and recipient of the Space Foundation's 2007 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award
• Col. Fred Gregory, USAF (Retired), former commander, Space Shuttles Atlantis and Discovery, former NASA deputy administrator, and managing director -- aerospace and defense strategy for Lohfeld Consulting Group
• Brig. Gen. John E. Hyten, USAF, director, space acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force
• Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and chief executive officer, Arianespace, Inc.
• James Maser, president, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
• Col. Brewster H. Shaw, Jr., USAF (Retired), former commander, Space Shuttles Columbia and Atlantis, current vice president and general manager, Space Exploration, for Integrated Defense Systems at The Boeing Company, and a current member of the Space Foundation Board of Directors
• Andrew Sukawaty, chairman and chief executive officer, Inmarsat
• Vice Adm. Richard H. Truly, USN (Retired), former commander, Space Shuttle Challenger, former NASA administrator and a life director of the Space Foundation
• Dr. Johann-Dietrich Worner, chairman executive board, German Aerospace Center (DLR)

More speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.

The 27th National Space Symposium is preceded by a full-day Cyber 1.1 event on Monday, April 11, that builds on the success of last year's sold-out cyberspace session. The Cyber 1.1 program will be held in The Broadmoor's International Center, thus allowing for a larger audience and better access to the opening Symposium events. Cyber 1.1 requires separate registration; a substantial discount is available when registration is combined with National Space Symposium registration.

The Symposium officially kicks off Monday evening, April 11, with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, sponsored by Northrop Grumman.

The Boeing Exhibit Center, which also officially opens Monday evening, will occupy three halls, making room for more exhibits and more events.

The 27th National Space Symposium will feature expanded New Generation Space Leaders programs for young, up-and-coming space professionals, age 35 and younger. It will repeat the popular "speed mentoring" session with top-level space leaders as well as special targeted sessions and events. New Generation speakers will also be integrated into the Symposium agenda.

Prestigious Awards
The 27th National Space Symposium includes presentation of prestigious Space Foundation awards including the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award; the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award; the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award; the John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration; the Space Achievement Award; and the Space Technology Hall of Fame® induction and dinner. Nominations and applications for the Shepard, Swigert and Space Achievement Awards are welcome; for details go to www.spacefoundation.org/2010/10/02/nominate-now-for-distinguished-space-awards.

Last year's honorees included legendary astronaut Capt. John W. Young, USN (Retired), actor Leonard Nimoy, teacher Allen Robnett, the LCROSS Mission and the Hubble Space Telescope Repair Mission. The Space Technology Hall of Fame® inducted digital fly-by-wire technology and Eagle Eyes protective eyewear.

2011 honorees will be announced as they are selected.

Education Events
As an extension of its comprehensive space-based education programs, the Space Foundation will host a national group of Teacher Liaisons and selected Colorado teachers and students for workshops, tours and "Audience with an Astronaut" sessions.

Art Work
The 27th National Space Symposium artwork and poster features an extraordinary image, courtesy of NASA, of the Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). Photographed by one of the STS-129 crew members, it shows the sun rising over the horizon with the Russian section of the orbital outpost in the foreground. The poster is co-sponsored by the International Space University (ISU).

27th National Space Symposium Co-Sponsors
Confirmed co-sponsors of the 27th National Space Symposium include a.i. Solutions; Analytic Graphics, Inc. (AGI); ATK; Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.; The Boeing Company; Cisco Systems, Inc.; General Dynamics; Integral Systems; International Space University; Lockheed Martin; Northrop Grumman; Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne; Raytheon; SpaceX; and United Space Alliance. Space News International and Aviation Week are official media partners. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; interested companies should contact [email protected].

27th National Space Symposium Website
The event website, which can be found at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org, provides information on the agenda, speakers, the Boeing Exhibit Center, registration, accommodations and awards. It also provides comprehensive information for media wishing to attend and cover the event, and it features photos and videos from the 26th National Space Symposium.

About the Space Foundation
The Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit organization and the foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry - civil, commercial, military and intelligence. Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom, and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." An expert in all aspects of the global space industry, the Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

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