Florida Space 2005 opening ceremony program announced

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 26, 2005) — As momentum continues to build for the inaugural Florida Space 2005 conference, Space Foundation officials announced today plans for the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. Florida space professionals and those with interests in Florida will gather at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Nov. 15-17 for the conference. Set in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the opening ceremony and reception will feature a performance from national recording artist and jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, science fair displays and recognition of science fair winners, and a fireworks display. It will be the first fireworks show to take place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is the co-sponsor of the opening ceremony and reception, and United Space Alliance is the co-sponsor of the opening fireworks display. In featured speeches, dynamic panel sessions, and networking opportunities, leaders from throughout the global and local space industry will meet to address the opportunities and challenges facing Florida’s space industry and the resulting impact on its economy. Featured speakers include Dr. Michael Griffin, administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command; The Honorable Toni Jennings, lieutenant governor of Florida; Mr. Lon Rains, vice president, Editorial, Imaginova Corp. and editor, Space News; and The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force. Additional key sponsors of Florida Space 2005 are Space Gateway Support, co-sponsor of the Wednesday Opening Luncheon; the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and Space Coast Office of Tourism, co-sponsors of the Wednesday Happy Hour; The Boeing Co., co-sponsor of the Thursday Keynote Luncheon; L-3 Communications, co-sponsor of the Thursday Cocktail Reception; and Lockheed Martin, co-sponsor of the Florida Space Gala Dinner. Other sponsors include Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), ATK Thiokol, Delaware North Parks Services, and Perot Systems. Florida Space 2005 is expected to become the leading event serving the Florida space community. The Space Foundation is organizing the conference in association with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing, Florida Space Authority, and The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies. It builds on the best features of Space Congress and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Symposium, both long-time community space events now retired, and whose heritage will be honored at this inaugural event.

About the Space Foundation Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. In addition to Florida Space 2005, the Space Foundation annually conducts, along with its partnering organizations, the National Space Symposium, April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and Strategic Space, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.