International Panel Underscores Global Dimensions of The Next Space Age

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 3, 2009) — The exploration, development and use of space is an increasingly international activity. To date, nine countries operate spaceports, more than 50 countries own or have partial ownership in satellites – and citizens of 39 nations have traveled in space. Highlighting the growing international nature of space activities, the 25th National Space Symposium features an international panel discussion with speakers representing non-U.S. agencies from three continents.

The 25th National Space Symposium, the premier annual gathering of the global space community, will take place March 30 – April 2 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The symposium brings together all sectors of space – civil, commercial, national security, new space entrepreneurship, and finance – to highlight accomplishments and address opportunities and issues facing the space community today. With its theme The Next Space Age, this year’s program focuses on major shifts in the economies, philosophies, and mechanics of the global space industry.

The “International Agencies Look to The Next Space Age” panel features:

• Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general, European Space Agency
• Steve MacLean, Ph.D., president, Canadian Space Agency
• Hideshi Kozawa, executive director for planning and management and international relations, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
• Paul L. Weissenberg, Ph.D., director, coordinator for aerospace, security and defence, European Commission
   

This stellar panel will address how the nations of the world are building space programs, the economic and technical impact of the globalization of space and the political implications of a multi-national cosmos.

The symposium offers workshops, forums, panels and presentations covering all aspects of space, a number of special dinners and luncheons and presentation of several prestigious space-related awards.

The Symposium also includes extensive programs for selected teachers and students, a Space Career Fair, and the Boeing Exhibit Center representing more than 140 organizations and companies. More than 7,500 registrants, guests, speakers, exhibitors, and media representatives from around the world are expected to attend.

Co-sponsors of the symposium include Aerojet, The Aerospace Corporation, a.i. solutions, Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, ARES Corporation, ASRC Federal, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boeing, Braxton Technologies, Cisco Systems, Inc., Cobham, General Dynamics, Hitachi Consulting, Honeywell, IBM, Infinite Links, Intelsat General Corporation, International Space University, ITT, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, The Mitre Corporation, Northrop Grumman, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Raytheon, Regis University, SAIC, SEAKR Engineering, Inc., SERCO, Stellar Solutions, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, United Space Alliance, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Webster University. Media partners are Aviation Week, Space News, and Via Satellite.

Online registration and more information, including an updated program agenda, confirmed speaker list, and exhibitor list, are available at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. A leader in space awareness activities, major industry events, and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom, the Space Foundation is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo. It 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. In addition to the 25th National Space Symposium, the Space Foundation, along with partnering organizations, will also conduct Space Business Forum: New York on June 4, 2009, in New York, N.Y., and Strategic Space and Defense 2009 from Oct. 6 – 8, 2009, in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

###