Spotlight
Panel Explains Why We Fly
The last panel discussion of this year’s 26th National Space Symposium featured three seasoned space travelers discussing Why We Fly – Common Experience, Uncommon Perspectives. Moderated by Jeannie Kranz, director of strategic relations for the Office of Government Relations of Jacobs Technology and daughter of famed former NASA flight controller Gene Kranz, the panel featured the first Chinese…
Symposium Broadcasts, Analyzes Obama Speech
One of the hottest topics at the 26th National Space Symposium was the controversy swirling around President Barack Obama’s FY2011 budget proposal for NASA (see President Obama’s remarks here; see related Space Watch articles of NASA Administrator Charles Bolden’s remarks and on the NASA – The Budget and The Way Ahead panel here). Attendees watched…
Sheridan Speaks on Air Force Space Acquisition
This year’s 26th National Space Symposium offered many perspectives on national security and numerous space-related issues. Presenting a view from Air Force Space Command was Lt. Gen. John T. Sheridan, USAF, commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command speaking on “Air Force Space Acquisition.” Sheridan listed seven things that make progress in acquisition…
Videos Capture Symposium Highlights
This year’s 26th National Space Symposium featured historic moments, such as the speech by legendary astronaut Captain John W. Young, USN (Retired), accepting The General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award. For the benefit of those who weren’t able to see Young’s speech in person, and for those who would like to see it again, the Space Foundation has…
Opening Ceremony Launches Symposium with Style
The April 12 Opening Ceremony for the 26th National Space Symposium was a celebration of the factors that make space an exciting and challenging industry. During the event, three of five prestigious awards conferred at the Symposium were presented to honor education, exploration, and innovation: Allen V. Robnett, a science teacher at Gallatin High School in…
NASA is Double Symposium Topic
NASA’s budget and future direction was the topic of two presentations at the 26th National Space Symposium last month. NASA Administrator Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., USMC (Retired), kicked off the main agenda on April 13 and, later that day, a panel discussed the future of the agency. Transformation is Bolden’s Focus Bolden focused…
Air Force Space Command – On The Edge
Gen. C. Robert Kehler, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command, gave his “straight from headquarters” view at the 26th National Space Symposium, saying that his job is to think about what happens next.. “We know what we’ll look like in 2030; we’ll get to space then through EELV and growth of commercial,” he said. “But,…
Symposium Has International Flavor
 The National Space Symposium is growing in international influence, this year with 20 nations represented, participation in four agenda presentations, and three major delegations in attendance. Paul Weissenberg, Ph.D., director for aerospace, GMES, security, and defence for the European Commission, spoke about Europe’s Ambition in Space and Wang Wenbao, director of the China Manned…
Historic NRO Gathering at Space Symposium
The 26th National Space Symposium made history with the appearance of the current director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the nine living former directors of the NRO. Current director, Gen. Bruce A. Carlson, USAF (Retired), spoke on April 14, and the former directors participated in a forum on April 15. Plus, the entire…
"It’s Not What I’ve Done; It’s What We Gotta Do"
“It’s not what I’ve done; it’s what we gotta do.” That was how former Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle Astronaut Captain John W. Young, USN (Retired), framed his brief, but powerful acceptance speech April 13 when he was awarded the Space Foundation’s highest honor – the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award. Young called for…