As scientists and space industry professionals from around the world gather in Toronto for the International Lunar Conference 2005, media are invited to attend a briefing where NASA will make an announcement on an exciting challenge open to Canadian researchers. Leading industry experts will also be on hand to provide the latest updates on US and European lunar missions and breaking news from Europe’s Smart-1 mission.
The 7th International Lunar Conference 2005 brings together senior representatives of the world’s space agencies, academia and the commercial sector to discuss and plan the world’s return to the Moon. During the five-day conference, the International Lunar Exploration Working Group will work towards a collaborative international framework for the exploration and utilization of the Moon.
When: September 19, 2005, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Renaissance Toronto Hotel Raptors Room (lower level) One Blue Jays Way Toronto, Ontario
Participants in the briefing include:
- Jim Garvin – Chief Scientist, NASA (Panel Chair)
- Brant Sponberg – Manager, Centennial Challenges Program, NASA
- Mark Borkowski – Director, Robotic Lunar Exploration Program, NASA
- John Spray – Director, Planetary and Space Science Centre, University of New Brunswick
- Victoria Hipkin – Program Scientist, Planetary Exploration, Canadian Space Agency
- Bernard Foing, Chief Scientist, European Space Agency (ESA)
- Kohtaro Matsumoto – Leader, Lunar and Planetary Exploration Group, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Xifan Hao (tentative) – Deputy Director, Lunar Exploration Engineering Center, Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA)
The International Lunar Conference is sponsored by Optech Incorporated, MDA and the Canadian Space Agency. For more information on the conference visit: www.ilewg.org/ILC2005
For further information: Daven Maharaj, Optech Incorporated, Tel: (416) 661-2626, Ext. 498, Cell: (416) 356-6211; Lynne Vanin, MDA, Tel: (905) 790-4466, Cell: (416) 738-9295
