National Space Society Issues Call for Papers for 2006 International Space Development Conference: "Your Ticket to Space"
This year has been a turning point for space. From the X PRIZE flights to water on Mars, from the surprising discoveries about Saturn to the new plan for human exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond—space is being revolutionized at a fantastic pace.
How will space be opened in the next phase of exploration and development? How will these discoveries and advances affect our lives?
The National Space Society is seeking papers and speakers to discuss the latest issues in space science, technology, policy, commerce, exploration, and more at the 24th International Space Development Conference (ISDC), held in Washington, DC on May 19-22, 2006.
This year's conference, "Your Ticket to Space," will look at how the newest advances will lead to a spacefaring civilization. Individuals wishing to speak must submit an abstract of 300 and 500 words by Monday, February 1, 2006. For more details about submission guidelines, interested individuals are encouraged to review the Call for Papers online or email their questions and comments to [email protected].
The past year has seen dramatic developments in the way the public thinks about space, from Congressional approval of NASA's Vision for Space Exploration to the successful flights of the world's first privately built tourist spacecraft. ISDC offers six different tracks for discussing the various implications of these exciting changes in space activities, including:
Government — These discussions will address the impacts of space on education, history, space law and policy, and presidential and NASA policies.
Private sector — These discussions will look at space commerce, financing, training for individuals wishing to lobby Congress, the use of space in media and entertainment, developments in the suborbital rocket industry and its relationship to government regulations, developing private spaceports, developments in space tourism, and the latest ideas in space vehicles and hotels.
Space Science — Space science continues to be a crucial activity to our understanding of the space environment. These discussions will address developments in space science, from lessons learned from Earth observation satellites and space medicine to the latest developments in robotic explorations and observations of the Moon, Mars, near-Earth objects (NEOs), Saturn, and beyond the solar system.
Space Settlement — Discussions regarding developments in settlement of the Moon, Mars, and free space.
Space Technology — These sessions will discuss the technologies that will enable human beings to live beyond the earth, including agriculture, computers, power and propulsion, mining and materials processing, space elevators, and nanotechnology.
Teen Programs — ISDC will provide a competition for young people in space arts, ranging from space-related music to poems, short stories, paintings, films, and public service announcements.
More information about the conference, including registration and hotel information, is available on the conference web site.
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About NSS
The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent, international, educational, grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. Founded in 1974 by Wernher von Braun, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizen's voice on space. The National Space Society's vision is people living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth. NSS members promote change in social, technical, economic, and political conditions to advance the day when people will live and work in space.
Media Contact:
Jeff Foust
ISDC 2006 Communications Manager
[email protected]