Aerospace industry shows strong support for Florida Space 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 31, 2005) — Recognizing the need to address the opportunities and challenges facing Florida’s space industry and the resulting impact on its economy, members of the local aerospace industry and those with interests in Florida are showing strong support for the inaugural Florida Space 2005 conference. The event, which takes place Nov. 15-17 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, intends to draw participants from throughout Florida’s diverse space community and from the space sector nationwide. Senior level executives from numerous aerospace companies will speak and participate at Florida Space 2005. Industry speakers include Mr. Bretton S. Alexander, vice president, Government Relations, Transformational Space Corporation LLC; Mr. Eric C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer, Space Adventures, Ltd.; Mr. William ‘Bill’ Bastedo, principal, Booz Allen Hamilton; Mr. David Bethay, director of Mission Management & Utilization, The Boeing Company – Florida Operations; Mr. Kevin R. Brown, associate, Booz Allen Hamilton; Mr. Daniel J. Collins, vice president, Expendable Launch Systems and vice president & program manager, Delta Programs, The Boeing Company; Mr. Francis A. DiBello, president and chief executive officer, Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation; Dr. Benjamin E. ‘Ben’ Goldberg, director of Engineering, Research & Advanced Programs, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Florida Operations; Mr. John B. Higginbotham, chairman, SpaceVest; Mr. Alan Ladwig, manager, Washington Operations, Space Systems Business Development, Northrop Grumman; Mr. Adrian Lafitte, director, Florida Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Ms. Anne Martt, director for Space Operations Development, United Space Alliance; CAPT Michael J. McCulley, USN (Retired), president and chief executive officer, United Space Alliance; Mr. Mike Spence, principal director, The Aerospace Corporation; and Mr. Joseph Wiendl, vice president, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Additionally, several aerospace companies are providing sponsorships for conference activities. Key sponsors of Florida Space 2005 are Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, co-sponsor of the Opening Ceremony and Reception; United Space Alliance, co-sponsor of the Opening Night Fireworks; 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. Additional sponsors include Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), ATK Thiokol, Delaware North Parks Services, and Perot Systems. Highlights of the conference include the opening ceremony, reception, and fireworks; innovative, timely panels; keynote luncheons with Dr. Michael Griffin, administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command; a featured speech from The Honorable Toni Jennings, lieutenant governor of Florida; and the closing reception and dinner featuring The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force. Florida Space 2005 is conducted by the Space Foundation 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.