International Space Development Conference, 2005: Get Your Ticket to Space

The last year has seen a number of significant space developments. President Bush introduced a new exploration initiative for NASA, featuring the development of new spacecraft to return humans to the Moon and venture on to Mars. In the meantime, the agency works to return the Space Shuttle to flight while its robotic explorers venture to all corners of the Solar System. The private sector has been active as well, with the successful flights of SpaceShipOne as well as the continuing efforts of other companies to develop new vehicles to serve space tourism and other markets, and even carve out a role in NASA's exploration plans.

Given the dynamic nature of space exploration and development today, how can space advocates keep abreast of all these activities and their significance? One of the best ways is to attend the International Space Development Conference, presented by Transformational Space Corporation, to take place May 19-22 in Washington DC. The ISDC is an opportunity to spend a few days in the company of several hundred other people interested in space, from experts to ordinary people, learning about the latest space developments and making personal and professional connections.

The theme of this year's ISDC is "Your Ticket to Space". The heart of the conference will be three and a half days of presentations The conference sessions feature six major tracks:

• Government space activities, including the Vision for Space Exploration as well as space law, policy, education, and history;
• Private space activities, such as the development of new vehicles, spaceports and markets, as well as financial and regulatory issues;
• Science, ranging from studies of the Moon and Mars to the search for life in the universe;
• Settlement of the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere in the solar system;
• Technologies required for space exploration and development, such as propulsion, life support, and nanotechnology; and
• A space arts competition for teens.

These tracks will feature plenary speeches by leaders in their fields, panel sessions, and other presentations. For those interested in presenting at the conference, a Call for Papers is available on the conference web site (http://isdc.nss.org/2005/cfp.html); the deadline for submitting abstracts for consideration is February 1.

There's more to the ISDC than just papers and presentations. Just before the conference the NSS will conduct its annual legislative conference, an opportunity to brief Congressional offices on key space policy issues. During the conference there will be a variety of luncheons and dinners, tours, and other special events. The highlight of the conference will be a gala dinner Saturday night at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center. Attendees will dine in the shadow of the space shuttle Enterprise with some special presentations--and maybe a surprise or two--in store.

Most of the conference events--other than the gala dinner--will take place at the conference hotel, the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington. The conference web site, http://isdc.nss.org/2005/, has more information about the conference, including hotel, travel, and registration details. Come to Washington in May and get your ticket to space!