Sponsored by NASA and the United Space Alliance, the prime contractor for the space shuttle fleet, the conference will highlight the new technologies that will be incorporated into the Space Shuttle over the next decade and longer. Organizers expect the hundreds of exhibits to draw thousands of visitors to the center's Silicon Valley research facilities.
Researchers from Ames and private industry will be showing off advanced space-mission robotics, spacecraft docking mechanisms, and new flight simulators. Exhibits will feature surface rover vehicles, present new thermal protection systems, neural net technologies, and next-generation cockpit design. Astrobiology and space laboratory design will also be in focus.
The fact that the space shuttle is a continually evolving vehicle will be clear at discussions that address topics from new rocket-engine design to communications and guidance systems. With 95 missions complete, the Space Shuttle program boasts a 98.9-percent success rate, and is called the most reliable and versatile spacecraft in the world. The new technologies on display this week will allow the shuttle fleet to continue its success, say NASA and the United Space Alliance officials.
One of the immediate beneficiaries of some of these new systems could be Space Shuttle Columbia. When it returns from space this afternoon, Columbia is scheduled for some time in the shop, where technicians will install several new components and overhaul old ones.
The conference opens Wed. July 28 at 6 p.m., and continues each day through Sat. July 31. On Friday night the keynote addresses will be delivered by former-astronaut Sen. John Glenn and by space.com Chairman and CEO Lou Dobbs. Saturday is being named space technology education day, and will include speeches by state and local politicians, educators and scientists. NASA, Boeing and Lockheed aircraft will also be available for viewing.
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