Report from Washington

A key event in Washington in October was the quiet release of the much anticipated new National Space Policy. This represents the first comprehensive space policy since 1996. The policy articulates the United States' goals in space and guidelines for the nation's continued activity in civil, commercial and national security space. It establishes parameters governing both domestic and international space endeavors. In its statement on the National Space Policy, the Space Foundation commends the new policy that clearly and correctly outlines why all space activities must remain a top priority for the United States. While reactions throughout Washington and the space community have been mixed on specific implications of policies outlined in the document, there is broad support for the underlying principles. Ultimately, the full impact of this new National Space Policy remains to be seen.
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Headquarters Report

Space Foundation set to release The Space Report: The Guide to Global Space Activity

On Nov. 13, the Space Foundation officially releases The Space Report: The Guide to Global Space Activity. The book presents, for the first time in a single document, comprehensive data and analysis authoritatively characterizing global space activities. With detailed references and its sources fully annotated, this report describes the full range of space activities during 2005: space infrastructure, space products and services, space revenues and government budgets, how space products and services are used, their impact, and the outlook for the future. The Space Report is compiled from independently sourced existing data from all space activities – civil, commercial, and national security. The book is the latest publication resulting from the Research and Analysis efforts of the Space Foundation. Official release activities and media briefings are scheduled for the week of Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C., and New York City, NY.

Space Foundation holds Pacific Space Leadership Forum

In support of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSPACECOM), the Space Foundation conducted the Pacific Space Leadership Forum Oct. 20-21, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gen Paul Hester, commander, PACAF, and Gen Kevin Chilton, commander, AFSPACECOM, headlined the intimate gathering of senior executive level U.S. military leaders, military and civil space leaders from partner nations in the Pacific, and senior industry executives. The purpose of the meeting is to build bridges, connections and understanding among the space industry and the civil and military leaders of the Pacific, especially as it relates to the application of space systems and complementary aerospace systems in the region for mutual advantage.

Space Foundation senior vice president speaks at economic development summit

Space Foundation Senior Vice President of Education and Workforce Development Dr. Patricia Arnold was a featured speaker Oct. 24 at the Charles County (Maryland) 2006 Economic Development Summit. Dr. Arnold's presentation focused on the benefits of integrating space education, particularly Earth systems science and astronomy, into the classroom. The presentation also introduced attendees to the Space Foundation's educational efforts to inspire, enable, and propel the next generation of explorers and particularly to its Summer Institute, a series of five, week-long, graduate-level courses that cover a wide range of space topics and are designed to help teachers use space themes in their classrooms to enable improved student performance in literacy, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other subject areas.

More than 300 students visit
Strategic Space and Defense 2006

Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons, invited educators, and more than 300 elementary, middle, and high school students from Nebraska and Iowa toured the exhibit center at Strategic Space and Defense 2006 as part of a Space Foundation educational outreach program to inspire, enable, and propel the next generation of explorers. The students were from Bellevue East High School, Bellevue West High School, King Science and Technology Magnet Center, Lathrop Elementary Magnet, La Vista Junior High, Masters Elementary School, Millard North Middle School, Montclair Elementary School, Papillion Junior High, and the Science Research and Innovation Center. Additionally, the Space Foundation hosted a Space Career Fair during the conference for college students, transitioning military, and entry-level aerospace personnel to meet exhibiting aerospace and defense companies.

Space Foundation exhibits at Wirefly X PRIZE Cup

With a successful Strategic Space and Defense conference fresh in their minds, a handful of representatives from the Space Foundation did a stellar job of promoting Foundation interests by exhibiting at the Wirefly X PRIZE Cup 2006 in Las Cruces, N.M. The space exposition took place Oct. 21-22 at the Las Cruces International Airport.

Foundation programs such as The Space Report and the Space Certification Program generated much interest from the more than 10,000 participants, comprised of astronauts, leaders, visionaries, space industry professionals, and the general public. Additionally, more than 6,500 area students visited the Foundation's booth and witnessed a live demonstration of the Foundation's Apophis Virtual Lab. Space Foundation Board Member and Director of the Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson also attended the event on Friday to film a segment for the PBS-NOVA spin-off program NOVA ScienceNow. Generous media interest resulted in various interviews and photo opportunities for the Foundation.

In addition to numerous exhibits, this year's cup featured three spectacular competitions with more than $2.5 million in prize purses, multiple high-powered sounding rocket launches, the unveiling of the Rocket Racing League's development X-Racer, multiple static engine test firings live on the field, flyovers by the T-38 astronaut trainer, and a variety of other rocket surprises.

Strategic Space and Defense 2006 draws top national security leaders

The Space Foundation and Space News conducted Strategic Space and Defense 2006 Oct. 10-12 at the Qwest Center Omaha Convention Center and Arena. The conference addresses both the space-related and strategic missions of the United States Strategic Command, expanding the dialogue and fostering relationships and understanding between the senior leadership of the Command, appropriate component and supported commands, the aerospace contractor community, federal officials, and other leaders. More than 2,000 speakers, registrants, exhibitors, media, students, and volunteers participated, and more than 50 companies were represented as exhibitors at the conference.

Speakers at Strategic Space and Defense 2006 included two congressmen, congressional staff members, senior executive leaders from the aerospace industry, a broad representation of leaders from within the Command and throughout the armed forces, and international leaders, including the senior space official in the Indian Air Force.

For a podcast of the closing speech from United States Strategic Command Commander Gen James E. Cartwright, a complete program agenda, and speaker, exhibitor, and sponsor lists, visit www.StratSpace.org. Strategic Space and Defense will return to the Qwest Center Omaha Oct. 9-11, 2007.

Florida Space 2006 cancelled

This year's Florida Space event, scheduled for Dec. 5-7, 2006, at the Buena Vista Palace in Orlando, Fla., has been cancelled due to launch processing requirements by NASA, the Air Force and the contractor community for the early December launches of both the Atlas vehicle and the Space Shuttle Discovery.

We are currently in the process of contacting all of those affected by this decision, including speakers, registrants, sponsors, and exhibitors. If you have any questions, e-mail us at FloridaSpace@SpaceFoundation.org or call us at (800) 691-4000.