COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo -- The face of space is changing. This is evident in the engagement of military and intelligence-gathering space systems during the Iraqi conflict. It is also the case at NASA where a technical and organizational shakeout of the civilian space agency is underway in the wake of the Columbia tragedy.
A myriad of challenges now facing government and industry moves to center stage at the 19th National Space Symposium, a program of the Space Foundation, held here April 7-10. All sectors of space are represented -- commercial, civil and national security - involving the most important and influential officials within the national space leadership.
New programs proposed at NASA, continued industry consolidation in the U.S. and Europe, and space systems playing a crucial role in Operation Iraqi Freedom -- these are among agenda items to be discussed during the symposium.
Top topic: transformation
"With all that is going on in the world today, the focus on space has never been sharper or more intense," said Elliot Pulham, Space Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Despite the exigencies of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Columbia accident investigation, the support of senior government and industry leadership has remained remarkably strong," Pulham told SPACE.com .
One is not hard-pressed to find a central topic for this year's symposium.
The key theme is "transformation" -- as seen in a sampling of panel discussion topics:
- Transforming the Space Industrial Base
- Transforming Space Transportation - Initiatives for the Future
- The Role of Space in Homeland Defense and Homeland Security
- Transforming Government-Industry Partnerships
- Transforming Our National Security.
Thorny issues
Moderating the discussion on transforming government-industry partnerships is Richard DalBello, Executive Director of the Satellite Industry Association (SIA), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.
"U.S. satellite manufacturers and operators take great pride in the role they have played and continue to play in protecting the homeland, informing the public, and providing essential support to U.S. and coalition forces in the field," DalBello told SPACE.com .
"The National Space Symposium offers the satellite industry an important opportunity to demonstrate its technology and skills to a broad audience of decision makers, industry professionals, and the public," DalBello said.
DalBello said a host of thorny issues that will be highlighted at the symposium. Among them:
- Stable Spectrum Environment -- Recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take spectrum from the mobile satellite industry and give it to the terrestrial cellular industry cause significant concern. The industry must do a better job of educating the FCC as to the strengths and limitations of satellites and the critical role that they play in the U.S. economy and in homeland and national security;
- Realistic Export Controls -- Overly strict export rules and aggressive enforcement that place the U.S. satellite industry at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. As a result, foreign buyers have begun to look elsewhere for satellites and satellite services. As part of a new "partnership between the government and industry", there is need to develop workable export regulations that place higher walls around fewer products and ensure both security and economic vitality.
Military, NASA leadership
The 19th National Space Symposium includes the highest-level roster of speakers in the event's history, including robust participation by the national security space leadership and the most broad-based support of NASA leadership ever, Pulham said. Major aerospace industry participation rounds out this year's gathering.
Among those presenting at the symposium:
- Peter B. Teets, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office and Under Secretary of the Air Force.
- General Lance Lord, U.S. Air Force Commander for the Air Force Space Command.
- Christine Anderson, Program Director for the Military Satellite Communications Joint Program Office at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command.
- Ronald M. Sega, Director, Defense Research & Engineering.
- NASA Chief Administrator Sean O'Keefe.
Courtney Stadd, NASA's Chief of Staff, is leading a roundtable on NASA's future. Joining Stadd in the discussion are the directors of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Goddard Space Flight Center, as well as the space agency directors for the Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Johnson Space Center.
Customer satisfaction
A record attendance for this year's symposium seems assured. Pre-registration has already exceeded an earlier record total. Upwards of 4,000 to 4,500 participants are anticipated this year, Pulham reported, representing more than 500 space companies, agencies and organizations.
Year after year, the number and quality of exhibits has grown. More than 120 organizations are represented in the symposium's huge exhibit area in 2003. All major events are already sold out prior to the meeting's opening.
"The Space Foundation certainly appreciates the confidence that our customers place in us, and we are committed to ensuring that this remains the premier space event anywhere in the world," Pulham added.
Graying workforce issues
While the symposium is anchored in years of success, Pulham said the program continues to evolve. For example, this year the Space Foundation joined forces with corporate human resources and recruiting teams to offer the first ever Space Career Fair at the National Space Symposium.
At present the space industry is experiencing difficulty in attracting high quality young talent. This coupled with "the graying of the workforce" is leading the space industry toward a crisis. The Space Foundation has stepped up to the plate to take action on all educational fronts, addressing these issues at the university, educator, and middle school levels.
The result has been outstanding, with more than 500 students from across the country already registered to participate, Pulham concluded.
Visit http://www.spacesymposium.org for online registration, agenda, and other information or call the Space Foundation at 1-800-691-4000.
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