Heads Of International Space Agencies To Discuss Future Space Exploration Initiatives

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in coordination with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF),  is pleased to announce  the initial program for the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) to take place May 22–24, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

The opening day of the event will feature a “Heads of Space Agencies Global Space Exploration Dialog.” Moderated by AIAA Executive Director Bob Dickman, it will bring together Charles Bolden, administrator, NASA; Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general, European Space Agency; Steve MacLean, president, Canadian Space Agency; Vladimir Alexandrovich Popovkin, head, Russian Federal Space Agency; and Chen Qiufa, administrator, China National Space Administration, for a candid discussion on the future of space exploration initiatives in the global community. Dr. Keiji Tachikawa, president, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organization, have also been invited.

GLEX will present a series of panel discussions and forty technical sessions featuring more than 300 papers, continuing the international dialog that is critical to advancing future space exploration initiatives. Among the subjects to be discussed are: The human space exploration value proposition; utilizing the International Space Station (ISS) as a platform for future exploration; capabilities for deep space exploration; political issues surrounding international cooperation; engaging the general public in space exploration; and the Global Exploration Roadmap.

In addition to the agency heads, other notable speakers will include: William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, NASA; John Karas, vice president and general manager, Human Space Flight, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company; Alexey Krasnov, head of manned spaceflight programs, Russian Federal Space Agency; Clay Mowry, president, Arianespace Inc.; Steve Squyres, Goldwin Smith professor of astronomy, Cornell University; John Elbon, vice president and general manager, Space Exploration, The Boeing Company. Jie Yuan, vice president, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation; and François Auque, chief executive officer, EADS Astrium, have also been invited to participate.

Bob Dickman, executive director, AIAA, stated: “The IAF and AIAA are committed to supporting the international relationships that will enable exploration of outer space. The GLEX program was designed to encourage the sharing of programmatic, technical, and policy information as well as collaborative solutions, challenges, lessons learned, and paths forward among all nations with the desire to explore. We are excited and honored to welcome the international space exploration community to Washington, D.C. for these important discussions and look forward to the results.”

FMI: www.GLEX2012.org