Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 29, 2003) – The Space Foundation announced today that its recently concluded 19th National Space Symposium (April 7-10, 2003) grew 20 percent as compared to the 2002 event – attracting record numbers of registrants, exhibitors and other participants. The premier annual space industry conference and trade show, held at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, this year attracted more than 5,200 total participants.

The National Space Symposium is the only major space-related conference to fully integrate all sectors of space – commercial, civil and national security – and annually attracts the most senior national leadership of the space community. Featured speakers and panelists included leaders from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, Department of Defense, United States Strategic Command, United States Northern Command, and Air Force Space Command; the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force; the NASA administrator, chief of staff and directors of the Kennedy, Johnson, Goddard and Marshall Space Centers; and CEOs from most of the leading U.S. space companies.

“The companies, agencies and organizations that comprise the U.S. space industry have invested a great deal of time, attention and resources toward making the National Space Symposium the single most valuable and productive annual industry gathering,” said Elliot G. Pulham, Space Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer. “As stewards of this event we have worked closely with the space community at all levels to ensure we continue to provide our customers with the value they seek. We are gratified and humbled by the industry’s ever-increasing support of the Foundation and its mission.”

More than 1,400 symposium registrants were joined by over 1,000 students and teachers and an estimated 2,800 exhibitors, volunteers, customer support representatives, media, guests and others – a National Space Symposium record of more than 5,200 total participants. More than 120 companies, agencies and organizations participated in the exhibition center – also a new record.

A complete summary of the proceedings of the 19th National Space Symposium will be available soon on CD-ROM and may be ordered by phone at 1-800-691-4000.

The 20th Anniversary National Space Symposium is scheduled March 29 – April 1, 2004. Information on Space Foundation programs can be found on-line at www.spacefoundation.org, including information on the following:

Space Foundation Summer Graduate Courses for Educators:

  • Space History & Space Law – June 16-20, 2003
  • Earth Systems Science – June 23-27, 2003
  • Rocketry and the Biology of Living in Space – July 7-11, 2003
  • Biology and Physical Research – July 14-18, 2003
  • Astronomy Principles for the Classroom – July 21-25, 2003
  • Space Technologies in the Classroom – July 28-August 1, 2003

(all courses held in Colorado Springs)

Space Foundation Symposia:

  • Strategic Space 2003 – Sept. 2-4, 2003 (Omaha)
  • 2003 International Space Symposium – Oct. 28-30, 2003 (Washington, D.C.)
  • Space at the Crossroads – Feb. 18, 2004 (Washington, D.C.)