Space Foundation Press Releases

Space Foundation Plays Major Role in AMOS Conference in Maui

Written by: developer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 30, 2012) – The Space Foundation is supporting the future of space with programs at the 13th annual Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies (AMOS) Conference in Maui, Hawai’i. Involvement includes presentation of a space technology panel on the main agenda, education programs for teachers and students, a reception for young space professionals and co-sponsorship of a special space situational awareness forum. The conference, a program of the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB), runs Sept. 11-14, 2012.

Space Foundation Director Moderates Technology Panel
On Wednesday morning, Sept. 12, Space Foundation Director — Space Awareness Programs Kevin Cook will moderate the panel, The Impact of Space Technology Transfer & Commercialization. Panelists include:

  • Dr. Leroy Chiao, former NASA astronaut and Space Foundation special advisor — human spaceflight 
  • David Deigan, founder, president & CEO, AFMInc 
  • Dr. Patrick K. Sullivan, chairman and founder, Oceanit

Cook runs two Space Foundation space awareness programs that focus on the adaptation of space innovations to benefit society: Space CertificationTM and the Space Technology Hall of Fame®. AFMInc’s thermal reflective products, HEATSHEETS® and Thermoflect, are both certified by the Space Foundation. Oceanit is one of Hawai’i’s largest and most diversified science and engineering companies.

Education Programs
As part of its extensive education programs that inspire students and teachers by improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, the Space Foundation will conduct sessions for school children and a workshop for teachers from the Maui area.

On Sept. 13, 300 students from Maui-area schools will participate in an Audience with an Astronaut session with former NASA astronaut and Space Foundation Special Advisor — Human Spaceflight Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. The students will hear Chiao talk about his space career, ask questions and have their pictures taken with him. In addition, the students will participate in hands-on activities conducted by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and tour the AMOS Exhibit Center where they will see the latest in space surveillance technology.

The student day is co-sponsored by the Space Foundation and MEDB in association with AFRL, Analytic Graphics, Inc. (AGI), The Boeing Company, University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy (IfA), Lockheed Martin, Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC), Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences Corporation and Pacific Defense Solutions (PDS).

On Sept. 14, about 30 middle and high school teachers will participate in a Space in the Classroom. The workshop is based on the Space Foundation’s Space Across the Curriculum courses, which teach a variety of space-related topics that teachers can then apply in the classroom. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Space Foundation and MEDB.

The conference hotel, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, is donating the lunches. Presentation Services Audio Visual is donating AV equipment for the education programs.

During the programs, the Space Foundation is also informing teachers about the opportunity to apply for the Lucy Enos scholarship, which provides professional development opportunities for a qualified Hawaiian educator, including tuition, fees, travel expenses and lodging for the recipient to travel to Colorado Springs and participate in one of the Space Foundation’s week-long Space Across the Curriculum courses. Details about this and other scholarships are available at www.spacefoundation.org/education/resources/awards-and-scholarships.

New Generation Reception
A popular AMOS event returning for 2012 will be the Space Foundation Pau Hana (after work) Networking Reception for New Generation Space Leaders, age 35 or younger. Co-sponsored by MEDB, the reception will be held on Sept. 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the Kaho’olawe Lawn at the Wailea Beach Marriot Resort & Spa. Cook will act as host for the reception and as host and moderator for other events during the week. The event is part of the Space Foundation’s New Generation Initiative, which provides professional development and networking opportunities to college students and professionals aged 35 and under.

Space Situational Awareness Forum
A new Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Forum has been added to the 13th annual AMOS Conference on Sept. 11. The forum includes three separate sessions with senior government and industry participants. See the full agenda and registration information at www.amostech.com. This session has an additional registration fee of $75.00.

About the AMOS Conference
The AMOS Conference, lauded by Air Force Space Command Commander Gen. William Shelton, USAF, as the “premier technical gathering related to space situational awareness in the world,” brings together operators, researchers, technologists and system developers who are working in many areas of SSA. The conference has proven to be a valuable forum for advancing research and development efforts in support of space warfighting technologies. Participants are drawn from Department of Defense organizations, other branches of government, academia, industry and international organizations. The AMOS Conference is a program of the MEDB, a nonprofit corporation established in 1982 to focus on diversifying Maui’s economy. MEDB’s mission involves taking innovative actions that strengthen existing industry as well as diversifying through new opportunities. For more information, go to www.amostech.com.

About the Space Foundation
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit 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.” The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes 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. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on FacebookLinkedIn and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

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