The Space Foundation and
the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) announced today that
Toulouse, France will be the site of the 2002 International Space Symposium.
CNES, the French Space Agency, will be the host sponsoring space agency for
the gathering of global space leaders, which will be held at the Centre de
Congres — Pierre Baudis, September 11-13, 2002.

Developed in coordination with a broad international coalition of space
agencies and organizations, the forum is designed to address business aspects
of the $100 billion global space industry.
Conducted since 1999, the event
has been previously held in Washington, DC.
This year’s symposium is
scheduled for October 29-31, at the Reagan International Trade Center in
Washington.

“The Space Foundation is proud to enjoy a strong, long-term partnership
with the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales,” said Foundation President and
Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Pulham.
“The participation and support of
CNES has been instrumental in the rapid growth of the International Space
Symposium as a premier international industry event, which in 2001 has already
attracted participants from more than 40 nations.”

“There can be no better place for the International Space Symposium to
make its European debut than Toulouse — one of Europe’s most important space
communities, and one of the most charming and inviting cities in all of
France,” Pulham added.
“The hospitality of Toulouse and the leadership of
CNES are sure to make this one of the best space business conferences ever.”

CNES president, Pr Bensoussan:
“CNES is proud and honoured to be the host
sponsoring space agency for the first European debut of the Space Foundation’s
International Space Symposium.
Combining the know-how of CNES, the skills of
major space companies and of a large number of space-related SMIs, as well as
the innovative spirit of many space research laboratories, Toulouse is
considered the capital of the European space community.
CNES and its
partners, with the support of local authorities, will work together to make
this important international event a memorable success.”

The Space Foundation is one of the world’s leading space organizations,
supporting industry leaders, space professionals and educators in their
efforts to promote all facets of space — commercial, national security and
civil.
The Space Foundation’s annual National Space Symposium is recognized
around the world as the premier U.S. space policy forum.

CNES is the French space agency in charge of conceiving, directing and
implementing French space policy.
It is actively seeking to develop the use
of space to meet the civil and military needs of public authorities, satisfy
the requirements of the scientific community and to foster the development and
dissemination of new applications.
It puts forward proposals and acts as a
driving force behind the ongoing evolution of the European Space Agency’s
objectives and the implementation of its programmes.

For information regarding the Space Foundation and its symposia, visit
www.spacefoundation.org.
To learn more about CNES visit www.cnes.fr.