Societal Benefits of Space Exploration and Development to be Highlighted at AIAA Space and Astronautics Forum in San Diego Written 23 July 2014

July 24, 2014 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will hold its AIAA Space and Astronautics Forum and Exposition 2014 (AIAA SPACE 2014), August 4–7, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, Calif. The theme of the event will be "Space: Connecting, Protecting, and Enhancing a Global Society"

“From exploration efforts on Mars, to the utilization of space-based resources, to understanding our own planet and improving global communications – AIAA SPACE 2014 will offer something for everyone engaged in the development and use of space,” said AIAA Executive Director Sandra H. Magnus. “SPACE 2014 brings together a diverse array of representatives from government, academia, and industry from the world’s spacefaring nations to serve as the incubator for ideas, designs and policy proposals aimed at technology development, scientific research, and international collaboration to realize our dreams of continuing expansion into low Earth orbit and traveling beyond.”

Featuring three discussion tracks, a dynamic plenary program, AIAA’s new Forum 360°program, and over 400 individual presentations across 25 topic areas, AIAA SPACE 2014 is an international forum that will provide insights into three important roles that space development and exploration play in our society: utilizing space and advanced technologies to connect and protect a global society; employing Earth observation data to support and advance scientific and societal needs; and developing and exploring space to benefit humanity.

Specific topics of discussion include: the future of the satellite industry, space-based Earth remote sensing, Mars exploration, the current state of human spaceflight capacity, the transformative economic impact of space development, cybersecurity in space systems, the future of space-based communications, and expansion of the nation’s network of spaceports.

Featured speakers for AIAA SPACE 2014 include: John Celli, president, Space Systems/Loral (SSL); Jason Crusan, director, advanced exploration systems, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters; Vern Fotheringham, chairman, president, and CEO, Kymeta Corporation; Michael Gazarik, associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters; Philip Harlow, president and COO, XTAR LLC; Robert P. Hoyt, CEO and chief scientist, Tethers Unlimited; Jack Kaye, associate director, research, Earth Science Division, NASA; Aaron Kemmer, CEO, Made in Space Inc.; and William Lapenta, director, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

AIAA SPACE 2014’s other notable speakers include: Robert Aalseth, division chief, Advanced Concepts Division (MCX), MILSATCOM; Skot Butler, vice president, satellite networks & space services, Intelsat General Corporation; Carissa Christensen, managing partner, The Tauri Group; Paul Chodassenior scientist, NASA/JPL-Caltech; Nancy Colleton, president, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; Chad Edwards, chief technologist and telecommunications engineer, Mars Exploration Program, NASA/JPL-Caltech; MicheleGates, Asteroid Redirect Mission, NASA Headquarters; Joseph Guinn, manager, Mission Design and Navigation Section, NASA/JPL-Caltech; William Hill, Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters; Lt. Gen. Larry James, U.S. Air Force (retired), deputy director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Col. Gregory Johnson, U.S. Air Force (retired), president and executive director, CASIS; Philip McAlister, Commercial Crew, NASA Headquarters; Peter Platzer, CEO, NanoSatisfi; Larry Price, deputy program manager, Orion, Lockheed Martin Space Systems; Chris Scolese, director, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Samuel Scimemi, director, International Space Station, NASA Headquarters; Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president, Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems; Frank Slazer, vice president, space systems, Aerospace Industries Association; and Richard Zurek chief scientist, Mars Exploration Program, NASA/JPL-Caltech.

AIAA’s new "Forum 360° Program"will offer SPACE 2014 attendees a series of discussions taking a broad look at the current state of manned space programs, the future of space exploration, emerging trends in space-based communication, and cybersecurity in space systems. Discussions include: Satellite Industry Executives Panel, Current Launch Vehicle Update, Robotic Mars Explorers Encounter Comet Siding Spring, The Future of Flexible Digital Satellites, The Coming Decade of Mars Exploration, Human Spaceflight Report, Satellite Industry Dynamics, Emerging Space: The Next Industrial Revolution, Model-Based Systems Engineering, Astronomy from Space 30 Years in the Future, The Future of High Throughput Satellites, Learning from the Untold Stories of Human Spaceflight Contingencies, Cybersecurity in Space Systems, The Future of Space-Based Communications, Building Blocks to Mars, The Near-Term Future of On-Orbit Servicing, and a NASA Exploration Technology Review.

SPACE 2014 will offer two special sessions: the first, “NASA Innovative and Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Fellows Update and Town Hall,” at 10:00 a.m., on August 7, will give attendees a chance to meet with NIAC staff, in small group settings, to discuss new developments in technology and systems. The special second session, on August 6, geared toward young professionals, and part of AIAA’s “Rising Leaders in Aerospace” program, will be a discussion of the various “crossroads” that young professionals must navigate in the workplace, including subjects like career development, pursuit of advanced degrees, when to move to take the job, and how to balance work and family life.

Jamie J. Bock, professor, physics, California Institute of Technology, and senior research scientist, NASA JPL, will deliver the William H. Pickering Lecture on August 6 at 6:30 p.m. Bock will speak on the topic “Searching for Vibrations from the Big Bang.” The lecture honors William H. Pickering, a former director of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and honors his initiation and leadership of America’s unmanned scientific space program, from Explorer I in 1958 through the development of the Viking orbiters and Voyager outer planet and interstellar missions. The lecture is free and open to the public.

AIAA will present six awards recognizing excellence in the fields of space missions and technology development during a 12:30 p.m. luncheon on August 7. The recipients and their awards are: Peter J. Garland, AIAA Senior Member, and director, advanced programs, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, will receive the AIAA 2014 Aerospace Communications Award;The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Industrial Team, Airbus Defence and Space Transportation, Bremen, Germany, will receive the AIAA 2014 George M. Low Space Transportation Award; James H. Newman, AIAA Associate Fellow, and professor, space systems, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, will receive the AIAA 2014 Haley Space Flight Award; Eugene Fleeman, AIAA Associate Fellow, and consultant, missile design and system engineering, Lilburn, Georgia, will receive the Eugene Fleeman; and Eugene Fleeman, AIAA Senior Member, and vice president, satellite systems, Skybox Imaging Inc., Mountain View, California, will receive the AIAA 2014 Space Systems Award.

The premier sponsor for AIAA SPACE 2014 is Lockheed Martin Corporation. Additional sponsors include: a.i. Solutions, Bastion Technologies, The Boeing Company, Crean and Associates Aerospace Consultants, Dunmore Corporation, SSL, and United Launch Alliance. The media sponsor is Space News.

For more information on AIAA SPACE 2014, please contact Duane Hyland or call 703.264.7558. Registration is complimentary for credentialed members of the media.