WHO: Florida Space 2005 draws attendees from throughout Florida’s diverse space community and the space sector nationwide.

WHAT: The Space Foundation conducts Florida Space 2005 in association with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing, Florida Space Authority, and The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies. The conference features leading speakers, panels, and networking events.

WHEN: Nov. 15, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Nov. 16, 7:45 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Nov. 17, 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.

WHERE: Universe Theater and Debus Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fla.

HOW: Advance media registration, a complete program agenda, and lists of speakers and sponsors are available at www.FloridaSpace.org. Media are encouraged to register in advance, due to security requirements. All broadcast media must be escorted while at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. To obtain an escort, contact Stephanie Fibbs at 719-271-1430, Andrea Farmer at 321-449-4318, or Jillian Dick at 321-449-4273.

Media should enter through the marked Florida Space 2005 entrance, to the left of the Visitor Complex entrance, and go directly to the Media Center to obtain badges. The Media Center is located on the second floor of the Nature and Technology building, to the right inside the entrance. Florida Space 2005 parking is in lot 6 on Tuesday and lot 4 on Wednesday and Thursday.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR MEDIA:

TUESDAY, Nov. 15 Media Center hours 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. – Opening ceremony featuring jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa and including Science Fair displays, recognition of Science Fair winners, and recognition of Jack Wiles, the first chairman of The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies. Several NASA astronauts will be signing autographs. The opening reception and fireworks display in the Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden will follow the ceremony. Space Foundation spokespeople will be available to discuss Florida Space 2005.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 16

Media Center hours 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 8:45 a.m. -The State of Global Space with featured speaker Mr. Lon Rains, vice president, Editorial, Imaginova Corp. and editor, Space News

9:10 a.m. – The State of Florida Space with featured speaker Mr. John Glisch, editorial page editor, Florida Today

12:15 p.m. – Keynote luncheon featuring Dr. Michael Griffin, administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2:00 p.m. – Featured speaker The Honorable Toni Jennings, lieutenant governor of Florida

5:00 p.m. – Media roundtable featuring Space Foundation representatives Dr. Patricia Arnold, vice president, Education & Workforce Development; Jim Banke, vice president, Florida Operations; and Jay DeFrank, executive director, Research & Analysis, and vice president, Washington Operations

THURSDAY, Nov. 17

Media Center hours 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TBD – Media roundtable with The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force

8:30 a.m. – Welcoming remarks from The Honorable Bob Allen, Florida House of Representatives

8:45 a.m. – Featured Breakout Opportunity Part I – The Vision for Space Exploration including Mr. Kevin R. Brown, associate, Booz Allen Hamilton; Mr. Brian E. Chase, assistant administrator for Legislative Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Mr. Alan Ladwig, manager, Washington Operations, Space Systems Business Development, Northrop Grumman; Ms. Anne V. Martt, director for Space Operations Development, United Space Alliance; and Mr. Jeffrey E. ‘Jeff’ Carr, chairman, Coalition for Space Exploration as moderator

12:15 p.m. – Keynote luncheon featuring Gen Lance W. Lord, USAF, commander, Air Force Space Command

1:45 p.m. – Featured mega-session Positioning Florida for the Future – “Financing the Future” including Mr. Francis A. DiBello, president and chief executive officer, Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation; Mr. John B. Higginbotham, chairman, SpaceVest; and Mr. Joseph Wiendl, vice president, Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; and Dr. Jay DeFrank, executive director, Research & Analysis and vice president, Washington Operations, Space Foundation as moderator

3:00 p.m. – Featured mega-session Positioning Florida for the Future – “Policies of the Future” including Mr. Lee F. Arnold, general counsel, Office of Congressman Tom Feeney; Mr. Dale R. Ketcham, director, Spaceport Research & Technology Institute; Mr. Adrian Lafitte, director, Florida Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Corporation; and Ms. Patricia Grace Smith, associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration

6:00 p.m. – Closing dinner with featured speaker The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force

FRIDAY, Nov. 18

Space Foundation Space in the Classroom program for middle school students in conjunction with Florida Space 2005 – “Opportunities in Aviation & Space”

9:45 a.m. – Students learn about careers in aviation and space and view aircraft at the TIX Jet Center at the Space Coast Regional Airport (TICO)

12:30 p.m. – Students learn about aviation, aerospace, and rocketry and build and launch paper rockets at the NASA Exploration Station.

PRE-EVENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Interviews are available with Space Foundation spokespeople Steve Eisenhart, senior vice president for Policy and Public Affairs, and Jim Banke, vice president of Florida Operations. To schedule an interview, contact Stephanie Fibbs, manager of Communications & Media Relations at 719-271-1430.

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. In addition to Florida Space 2005, the Space Foundation annually conducts, along with its partnering organizations, the National Space Symposium, April 3-6, 2006, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; Inside Aerospace, 24-25 April 2006, in Washington, D.C.; and Strategic Space, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.