Inspiration Mars Panel Slated for 29th National Space Symposium

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 21, 2013) – Panel discussions at the Space Foundation’s 29th National Space Symposium provide insight into the global space community’s latest hot topics.

On Thursday, April 11, the Space Foundation will bring together the principals of the Inspiration Mars Foundation for a featured panel discussion with:

• Dennis Tito, chairman, Inspiration Mars Foundation
• Taber MacCallum, chief technology officer, Inspiration Mars Foundation, and CEO, Paragon Space Development Corporation
• Jane Poynter, president, Paragon Space Development Corporation
• Jonathan Clark, M.D., chief medical officer, Inspiration Mars Foundation, and associate professor of neurology and space medicine, Baylor College

The Inspiration Mars Foundation, an organization founded by private space traveler Dennis Tito, has announced plans for the first human mission to Mars in 2018. The Space Foundation has cited the plan as a powerful new platform that aligns with the Space Foundation’s mission to advance space related endeavors to inspire enable and propel humanity.

Named Inspiration Mars, the mission will take advantage of the simultaneous occurrence of the lowest predicted solar radiation exposure and the closest alignment of Earth and Mars to send a two-person American crew – a man and a woman – on an historic journey to fly within 100 miles of Mars and return safely to Earth. The target launch date is January 5, 2018.

Tito’s nonprofit Inspiration Mars Foundation cites that its primary goal is to “to provide a platform for unprecedented science, engineering and education opportunities.” Learn more by visiting www.inspirationmars.org.

About the Space Symposium
The Space Symposium will be held April 8-11 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo., and includes education programs and special presentations for young space professionals under the age of 35, part of the Space Foundation’s New Generation Initiative.

The Space Symposium is offered in conjunction with a separate Space Foundation conference, Cyber 1.3, to be held during the day on April 8, immediately preceding the Space Symposium’s opening ceremony. Register securely for both events at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org/register, which includes a live chat tab for customer service questions.

Space Symposium and Cyber 1.3 speakers and agenda are subject to change, so see the most current details at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org/agenda.

Cyber 1.3 and Space Symposium Co-Sponsors
Co-sponsors include: a.i. solutions; Aeroflex; Aerojet; Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI); Arianespace, Inc.; Astrium; ATK; Avionics Intelligence; Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.; Barrios Technology; Blue Ridge Networks; Booz Allen Hamilton; Colorado Space Business Roundtable; Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau; EADS North America; Euroconsult; Fisher Space Pen; Fluor; General Dynamics; Global Technology Resources, Inc. (GTRI); GMV USA; Government Executive Media Group; Inmarsat; Intelsat General Corporation; Lockheed Martin; Maui Economic Development Board; McCollister’s Transportation; Millennium Engineering and Integration Co.; Moog; Müller-BBM VibroAkustik Systeme, Inc; Northrop Grumman; Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne; Raytheon; SAIC; Secure World Foundation; SES Government Solutions; Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC); SSL; SpaceX; Spincraft; Stellar Solutions; Stevens Institute of Technology; Tech Briefs Media Group; The Boeing Company; United Launch Alliance; Universities Space Research Association (USRA). Official media partners include Aviation Week, SatNews Publishers and SpaceNews.

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 U.S. stock market 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. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Its world headquarters features a public Visitors Center with two main areas – the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®. The Space Foundation also 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 Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

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