The Space Foundation announced today that the Northrop Grumman Exhibit Center has sold out for the 20th National Space Symposium, which takes place March 29-April 1, 2004, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The symposium, hosted by the Space Foundation, is the premier annual space industry conference anywhere in the world and the nearly 30,000 square foot Northrop Grumman Exhibit Center the largest in the event’s 20-year history.

“This is the earliest exhibit center sell-out in the history of the National Space Symposium, coming a month earlier than last year,” said Chuck Zimkas, Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer. “The 2004 exhibit center, sponsored by Northrop Grumman, is 8 percent larger than in 2003. We’re studying the possibility of expanding the facility to add another 2,000 sq. ft. for additional customers.”

Space-related organizations from around the world have contracted to place more than 110 e! xhibits in the Northrop Grumman Exhibit Center. Many companies’ booths will be expanded, including Northrop Grumman’s, which more than doubled in size from last year. For a complete list of exhibitors or more information on exhibiting, visit www.spacesymposium.org.

More than 5,000 space professionals from around the world are expected to participate in the 20th National Space Symposium. The event draws the most senior executive leadership from NASA and other space agencies, NOAA, the commercial space and satellite broadcasting industry, research universities and academia, space tourism concerns, the Department of Defense, military space commands and the global space industry. Early confirmed speakers include the Honorable Peter B. Teets, ADM James O. Ellis, Jr., USN, Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, and Lt Gen James R. Clapper, USAF (Retired).

The 20th Anniversary National Space Symposium kicks off on Monday, March 29 with a spectacular Opening Ceremony, sponsored ! by Lockheed Martin, featuring the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra, the presentation of awards and special guest Miles O’Brien of “CNN News.” Other program highlights include the Space Career Fair for College Students, Corporate Partnership Dinner sponsored by Ball Aerospace & Technologies, and the Gen. James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award Luncheon, sponsored by Spectrum Astro. The four-day event concludes with the Space Technology Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, sponsored this year by The Boeing Company.

For complete conference details and online registration, visit www.spacesymposium.org or call the Space Foundation at 1-800-691-4000.