SPACEWATCH - April 2006 | Vol. 5

April 2006 | Vol. 5 | No. 4

The View from Here

A 1% Solution, but not "carte blanche"

Elliot G. Pulham
President & Chief Executive Officer

In our recently released book The Case for Space Exploration, the Space Foundation advances a substantial body of evidence in support of space exploration as a national imperative. We offer several key recommendations as well. There is a clear sense that we have arrived at a defining moment in humanity's push beyond the home planet. Never has space exploration dominated the agenda of a National Space Symposium the way it will during this year's event (April 3-6), nor can we remember when we have last seen the interest of such mainstream "non-space" media as WIRED, Business 2.0 and The New York Times focused upon the human push into space.
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Report from Washington

The month of March kicked off with a bang. On March 1, the Space Foundation officially released The Case for Space Exploration: Failure is Not an Option. The Space Foundation's Washington, D.C., office held the release on Capitol Hill in an event with Congressmen Ken Calvert (CA) and Mark Udall (CO) as honorary hosts. The featured speaker was Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson provided the personal and professional staff members in attendance with in an in-depth discussion on the value of space exploration. Following the release event, copies of The Case for Space were hand-delivered to every office on Capitol Hill. Copies also were sent to key policy makers at the Pentagon, NASA, DOC, FAA and within the White House and mailed to key state agencies, industry and academia.
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Headquarters Report

One Industry - Go for Launch!

All is in place for the 22nd National Space Symposium set for April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The Space Foundation's signature event and the premier annual space industry conference draws the most senior leaders from all sectors of the global space industry - civil, commercial, and national security. More than 7,000 registrants, guests, speakers, exhibitors, and media are expected to attend this year's symposium. The 22nd National Space Symposium features 40 percent more exhibit space in the Lockheed Martin Exhibit Center than last year. It is not too late to participate! For a complete agenda and online registration, visit www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

Unique professional opportunity available for Hawaiian teachers or teachers of Hawaiian students

The Space Foundation's Lucy Enos Memorial Scholarship for Teachers provides a unique opportunity for a teacher to travel to Colorado Springs and participate in the Summer Institute program, which begins June 19. Eligible applicants include any credentialed teacher working with students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who is of Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian ancestry, or who works exclusively or extensively with children of Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian ancestry. Applications for the Lucy Enos Memorial Scholarship for Teachers are due to the Space Foundation by April 14, 2006.

The application should take the form of a letter, not to exceed two pages, stating the applicant's qualifications and motivation for applying, experience or interest in space themes in the classroom, what the applicant hopes to gain from the experience, which course among the five offered at the Summer Institute the applicant would like to attend, and how the knowledge gained will be applied in the classroom. A principal or other supervisor should endorse the application. Applications should be addressed to Dr. Patricia Arnold, Vice President, Education and Workforce Development, Space Foundation, 310 S. 14th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. The recipient will be notified on or about May 1. For more information about education programs at the Space Foundation, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

Space Foundation announces third flight of Teacher Liaisons

Teacher Liaisons are a vital component in linking the Space Foundation, NASA, schools and school districts to improve space and science education. This year, the Space Foundation has selected 81 outstanding educators from 26 states and Germany for the 2006 class of Teacher Liaisons. They will be recognized April 3 during the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd National Space Symposium.

The 2006 Teacher Liaisons are Sarah Allen, Nicole Betts, Russ Billings, Terry Bramschreiber, Gene Bush, Nerio Calgaro, Carla Callahan, Brendan Casey, Sukassa Chapman, Carol Clark, Larry Cohbra, Linda Copeland, Susan Corrigan, Brian Cox, Jennifer Cramer, Lois Douglas, W. Jayson Duncan, Stacey Jo Fancher, Kent Franklin, Linda Gardner, Misty Garland, Thomas Gillespie, Tamara Glickman, Eileen Bross Grzybowski, Diane Haggard, Myrna Hall, Julie Hamilton, Kelli Hamilton, Geraldine Haracz, Colleen Howard, Kenneth Huff, Mohsen Janatpour, Sheree' Kearns, Martin Kelsey, Beverly Ketron, Amy Kline, Timothy Krupica, Carla Lam, Rachel Leaf, Terri McManus, Brian Patrick McNelly, Tracy Mackey, Kalman Mannis, Sandra Lee Morales, Judy Moore, Cyndy Moriarty, Andrew Neely, Cathy Oates-Bockenstedt, Vicki Lynn O'Neal, Anthonette Pena, Jason Petula, Diana Prazma, Zamaria Dijana Rocio, Chantelle Marie Rose, Teresa Rowe, Erik Russell, Gail Sanchez, JoAnn Schapp, Judith Schieble, Monica Schmidt, Michael Brenden Simoneaux, Jeffrey James Smith, William Smith, Vivian Smithwick, Jeaneen Stadjuhar, Mary Stander, Darryl Stanford, Cynthia Diane Thorpe, Jean Trusedell, Abigail Urish, Amelia Margiree Vandehey, Lois Vavra, Michael Waiksnis, Maria Walls, Kelly Ann Wardlaw, Christine Watroba, Beverly Willis, Dawn Wingate, M. Elaine Young, Heather Zimmerman, and Andra Lynn Zoller.

The 54 Teacher Liaisons of the 2005 class, who represent 23 states, will transition to alumni status, joining the 30 educators of the 2004 class.

Space Awareness Programs recognize 25th anniversary of the space shuttle program

The Space Foundation promotes the importance of space exploration by recognizing the incredible technologies and products with origins in the space program through the Space Technology Hall of Fame® and the Space Certification Program. For the 25th anniversary of the launch of the first space shuttle April 12, 1981, the Space Foundation will be highlighting several technologies that are directly connected to the space shuttle program. Watch for a special CNN.com interactive feature.

The Space Foundation has inducted 52 outstanding technologies that are improving life on Earth into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. The 2006 inductees are the iRobot PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot and Novariant AutoFarm RTK AutoSteer. The Space Certification Program provides an official certification seal for those products that trace their roots to the space program.

MDA and SpaceX join Space Foundation

The Space Foundation welcomes MDA and SpaceX as its newest corporate partners!

With offices across North America, MDA is a well-established space contractor with more than 40 years experience in developing innovative space systems. MDA develops next-generation solutions for on-orbit servicing, planetary exploration, Earth observation, communications and space surveillance.

SpaceX was founded with the goal of substantially improving the reliability and cost of space transportation. SpaceX is committed to becoming the world's premiere choice for delivery of spacecraft to orbit and beyond with the Falcon family of launch vehicles.

Space Foundation corporate member companies will be recognized at the upcoming Corporate Partnership Dinner held during the National Space Symposium in April. Corporate members also receive significantly lower exhibit rates; complimentary registration(s) to the National Space Symposium and Strategic Space and Defense; special offers and discounts on sponsorships and conference registrations; invitations to special meetings with key government or industry leaders; advance notification of significant marketing and business development opportunities and much more!

If you have not yet joined, do so in 2006! Visit the Corporate Members Web site for more information and a comprehensive list of our members.