Thursday, February 22, 2007

Dallas to host 2007 International Space Development Conference

By Pegasus News wire

The National Space Society (NSS) announced details of the 2007 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) to be held in Dallas from May 25-28.

Leaders from NASA, the burgeoning private space industry and international space programs to share the latest news and preview tomorrow's space technologies. The ISDC bills itself as the premier public space event for 26 years.

Additionally, two pre-conference events are scheduled in the days leading up to ISDC, including the Symposium on Space Venture Finance on Thursday, May 24, and the bi-annual meeting of the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) from May 22 through May 24.

Ah, the Quad - Mesquite born and raised.

More than 30 prominent space leaders have already confirmed their participation in ISDC 2007, including: Rep. Nick Lampson, U.S. Congressman from Texas; Buzz Aldrin, legendary Apollo astronaut and Chairman of the ShareSpace Foundation; Robert Bigelow, hotel entrepreneur and founder of Bigelow Aerospace; Michael Coats, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center and former space shuttle commander; Dr. Simon "Pete" Worden, director of NASA's Ames Research Center; Laurie Leshin, Director of Sciences and Exploration at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; John Carmack, legendary computer game designer and founder of Armadillo Aerospace; Donna Shirley, management consultant, author and former manager of NASA/JPL's Mars Exploration Program; Rick Homans, New Mexico's Economic Development Cabinet Secretary and driving force behind the state's planned spaceport; Hugh Downs, legendary journalist and Chairman of the National Space Society's Board of Governors; Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 astronaut and founder of the Near Earth Object-focused B612 Foundation; Dr. Shannon Lucid, astronaut, scientist and former record holder for long-duration space flight; Dr. Paul Spudis, lunar science expert; and many others.

The conference will include programs, presentations and exhibits focused on space exploration and settlement, astronomy and scientific research, commercial space ventures, space tourism, and other topics. The conference will also feature displays of real spaceflight hardware, such as the Quad rocket vehicle, built by Armadillo Aerospace in Mesquite.

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