NASA will sponsor the National Space
Society’s International Space Development Conference (ISDC), May 19-22,
in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored to have NASA join us at this year’s ISDC,” said George
Whitesides, the society’s executive director. “With NASA joining a
lineup of leading scientists, entrepreneurs and visionaries, we can
together best describe the importance of space exploration,” he said.

Driven by the theme “Your Ticket to Space,” the conference will examine
how commercial and government space efforts are enabling citizens to
participate and engage in space in unprecedented ways.

“Sponsoring the society’s conference gives NASA a tremendous opportunity
to speak with people about the Vision for Space Exploration and the many
benefits generated by space exploration in health and medicine, industry
and environmental protection,” said Craig Steidle, NASA’s associate
administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.

NASA will run a “Benefits of Space Exploration” track during the
conference that will include specialists from in and outside of NASA.
NASA speakers include Steidle, Dr. James Garvin, NASA’s chief scientist;
and Mary Kicza, NASA associate deputy administrator for Systems
Integration.

Speakers from many walks of life will present stories of how space
exploration led to products that benefit people on Earth, such as:

* Space suit technology that has given children afflicted with an
unusual disease a new lease on life.

* Technology used to monitor astronaut health in space that has been
used by doctors to help treat people in remote regions across the globe.

* Microspheres that have been used by industry to clean up major oil
spills.

* Digital implantable hearing aid technology that has restored hearing
to over 60,000 people.

The conference will take place at the Sheraton National Hotel in
Arlington, Va. For more information about the conference, including
online registration, hotel information and a call for papers on the
Internet, visit:
http://isdc.nss.org/2005/

For more information about NASA on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/

About the National Space Society

The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, grassroots
organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization.
Founded in 1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen’s
voice on space. NSS counts thousands of members and over 50 chapters in
the United States and around the world. The society also publishes Ad
Astra magazine, an award-winning periodical chronicling the most
important developments in space. For more information about NSS, how to
join or donate, or the annual International Space Development
Conference, visit: www.nss.org

Media Contacts:

George Whitesides/Jeremy Pyle
National Space Society, Washington
Phone: (202) 429-1600 / (415) 713-6272

Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Phone: (202) 358-1979/5241