The View From Here
Space Industry Has More "Right Stuff" Than Ever
If there’s one thing this spring season has demonstrated, it is the fact that our space industry, around the world, has more of the “Right Stuff” than ever before. Consider, for a moment, our recently completed 28th National Space Symposium. Despite the fact that U.S. government spending on space is flat or declining and that core…
Traveling by Smoke, and Other Lessons From Papua
The natives of Papua, New Guinea, believe that the nighttime stars are the eyes of sleeping people and animals. Their eyes go up into the heavens to keep watch over them while they rest. Have we been asleep? Who has been watching over the U.S. human spaceflight (HSF) program? The first and most fundamental point of…
Tyson Inspires, Challenges
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, bestselling author and host of the upcoming FOX show COSMOS, was everywhere at the 28th National Space Symposium, including opening the program on April 17 with one of the most inspiring talks the audience has heard in years. It is impossible to capture Tyson’s enthusiasm in a brief…
Space Technology Hall of Fame® Inductees Honored
Two extraordinary space-based innovations were recognized at the 28th National Space Symposium. Recognized first at the Space Technology Hall of Fame® Private Induction Ceremony, co-sponsored by CISCO Systems, and then at the Space Technology Hall of Fame® dinner, co-sponsored by SpaceX, were: Flexible aerogel insulating material High-resolution optical sensing fire detection system called FireWatch Both technologies were originally developed…
Why We Love the Internet
We love the multitude of amazing space information and photos on the Internet! Keep up-to-date with lots of space information on The Planetary Society’s new website. See a robotic cargo vehicle docking with the International Space Station here. See the Top 100 Hubble Photos here. And a few of the Best Space Photos from SPACE.com here. This is…
Certification Partners Enhance Teacher Liaison Workshop
This April for the 28th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, 69 Teacher Liaisons attended an all-day workshop, enhanced by presentations involving three Space Foundation Space Certification Program Partner companies and another organization that is exploring certification linkage with the Space Foundation. Space Certification Program Partners are those recognized by the Space Foundation and displaying…
Bills Affecting NASA, NOAA Budgets Released
On April 19, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, which funds several agencies, including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Senate bill would provide NASA with $19.399 billion in FY 2013, $1.6 billion above the President’s request. However, the increase is…
SGAC Fusion Forum Intersects with Symposium
The United Nations’ Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), an organization of university students and young professionals from around the world engaged in space policy, participated in the 28th National Space Symposium in a big way, beginning with the inaugural Space Generation Fusion Forum. Held April 15-16 at The Broadmoor Hotel, site of the National Space Symposium, Fusion Forum comprised a competitively chosen group…
New Generation Panel Looks at Risk, Opportunities
New Generation Space Leaders participated in a wide range of special programs and general attendee events at the 28th National Space Symposium. The first targeted workshop, Taking Risk and Creating Opportunities, held on April 17, was moderated by Space Foundation Government Affairs Associate Tommy Sanford and included: Dr. Lance Bush, president and chief executive officer, Challenger Center…
Panel Covers Effects of Tightening Budgets
New Generation Space Leaders attending the 28th National Space Symposium learned about space budgets from a panel of experts on April 18. The Exploring the Heavens and Protecting the Warfighter on a Budget panel covered the effect of tightening budgets on both NASA and Department of Defense space activities. Since the challenging budget environment is likely to…