COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A battlefield commander studies high-resolution satellite imagery to help find the hidden whereabouts of the enemy. New data from Mars rovers move closer the day of a human expedition setting foot on that distant world. A private company is on the verge of introducing the latest "killer application" that brings space technology down to Earth into the palm of your hand.

The items topping the list for discussion are:

• "The New NASA Vision How We Got HereWhat It Means";
• "Space and Homeland Security - The Science and Technology Roadmap";
• "Space Control and Situational Awareness Leading Edge Thinkers on the Challenges of Tomorrow"; and
• "Export Controls, Satellites, Launch Vehicles and Related Technologies - A Government Perspective.

Compared to previous National Space Symposium gatherings, there is one theme that has moved front and center stage, said Elliot G. Pulham, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Space Foundation -- the organization that annually conducts the event.

"NASA, the industry and the nation are absolutely ready to move out on the new vision for space exploration," Pulham told SPACE.com . "NASA leadership, industry leadership and members of the Moon/Mars commission will speak to the vision throughout the week. Concepts and potential solutions will be very much in evidence," he said.

The symposium brings together the most senior-level speakers, and includes an extraordinary exhibit area packed to the doors with the newest space systems and technologies.

This years symposium has a heavier human space exploration flavor than it has had in quite some time, Pulham said.

Last years gathering, he added, was largely focused on military space, spurred by world events. Tanks were rolling into Baghdad as the meeting began. "There was, obviously, a tremendous and intense interest in the military space operations." Furthermore, the loss of space shuttle astronauts onboard Columbia was a dark cloud that hovered over the event.

Today, NASA is being recharged and energized. Military space is now an arena where lessons learned have sparked an array of responses and programs, made possible by new budget authority. Lastly, in the commercial space sector, business is on the rebound, Pulham explained.

"There is a significant harmonic in all three sectorsso the total amperage level, if you will, should be pretty good," Pulham said.

Despite harmonics, the symposium is tackling an issue that produces much discord: export control.

Pulham said the export control issue is the "undiscovered country" that influences policies in how best to involve global partners in space exploration, missile defense, as well as homeland security efforts.

"Export control plays into a lot of things," Pulham added. "Its going to play into NASAs ability to procure things from international partners. It continues to play into the limitations that our satellite companies -- both the manufacturing companies, the launching companies, and the operating companies -- to export their technology and build their business base."

"Its the monster under the bed for most of the industry," Pulham noted. "It remains a burr under the saddle of industry."