GWU Space Policy Institute Symposium on USA Space Future
Obama Vision Should Be Clear By January 2010 State of the Union;
1% Budget for NASA Ensures American / Global Multi World Civilization

On September 28, the Space Policy Institute (SPI) of George Washington University in Washington DC is hosting a symposium entitled 'Assessing the Options of the Augustine Committee for Human Space Flight.' Recent results of the Augustine Committee injected a hard dose of realism into the current USA Vision for Space Exploration plans. The committee forecasts a 7-year gap in US human space access and a need for additional US$3B per year to successfully send humans back to the Moon or other destinations beyond LEO. Faced with the humbling prospect of a great nation being left behind while emerging space powers extend to the Moon and beyond, President Obama, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and other leaders must illuminate the vision and procure the necessary funds to reestablish America leadership in guiding humanity to multi-world species status. The upcoming January 2010 State of the Union Address is the natural time for Obama to refocus the country on this vitally important issue and secure the required financial / political support. In 2003, former SPI director John Logsdon (CL) coauthored a report that helped inspire President Bush's 2004 Vision for Space Exploration speech. Current SPI director Scott Pace (CR) is one of many space experts now calling for an increase in the NASA budget so the country can manifest this vision. 1% of the Federal Budget for NASA, a reasonable standard consistently maintained until the dawn of the 21st Century, is a clear solution to this challenge. (Credit: NASA, George Washington University)

Space Investment Summit 7 to Further Advance Commercial Space Industry

The Bigelow Company, SpaceX and XCOR Aerospace are just a few companies leading the way for the independent, private sector to advance space exploration. On September 30, investors and entrepreneurs in the space industry will converge at Space Investment Summit 7 in Boston MA to facilitate investments in entrepreneurial innovation and to synergize partnerships between the public and private sectors. Paul Eckert (L), SIS coordinator and International and Commercial Strategist of the Boeing Company will open the summit followed by business plan presentations and a session for investor questions and answers. Andrew Nelson (M) of XCOR Aerospace will present rocket engines for suborbital and low earth orbit space flight. Investor commentators include Richard Kimball of The Bigelow Company, former NASA associate and astronaut William Readdy and Vik Kachoria of Mass Aerospace Advisors. The featured presentation on ‘Making Commercial Space a Multi-Sector Industry Enabler,’ will be given by Mark Sirangelo (R), Executive Vice President of Sierra Nevada Corporation. Given the potential of significant funding and dynamism, the private industry may help inspire future generations of space pioneers. (Credit: Space Investment Summit, NGL, SpaceX, XCOR, Bigelow Aerospace, Boeing)