IAC2009: Korea Hosts World Space Agency, Industry Leaders At Premier Astronautics Event

Daejeon Korea will host the 60th International Astronautical Congress (IAC2009) from October 12-16. One of the most important annual events for the space community, the IAC allows professionals to confirm the latest ideas, current activities and future ambitions occurring in a diverse range of space-related topics. This year's Congress, organized by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and Daejeon Metropolitan City, is expected to bring together a record 3000 participants from over 70 countries. Plenary Events and Highlight Lectures will feature senior members of the major space agencies, industries, academia and astronauts such as 1st Korea astronaut Soyeon Yi (CR). Up-to-date space programs and achievements will be presented during Technical Symposia and Sessions grouped into 5 categories: Space Science and Exploration, Applications and Operations, Technology, Infrastructure, and Space and Society. Exhibitions at the IAC also provide opportunities for networking and business interaction as participating agencies and institutes are exposed to cutting-edge projects such as the International Lunar Observatory Association and other New Space endeavors. Throughout the week, Korea will provide its international visitors with a glimpse of its rich cultural traditions, all the while focused on the theme of the Congress, 'Space for Sustainable Peace and Progress.' Pictured (TL): IAF President B Feuerbacher (R) gives the IAF flag to Daejeon Mayor Park Seoung-hyo (L). (Credit: IAC2009)

Competitors Aim to Win California Space Authority / NASA Regolith Excavation Challenge

New technologies to excavate lunar regolith so that humans may one day utilize the Moon’s rich mineral content will be showcased at this year’s 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge. Sponsored by the CSA along with the California Space Education Workforce Institute, the competition will be held at NASA Research Park in Moffett Field CA on October 17-18. 23 teams will compete to build autonomous, mobile excavators that can excavate a minimum of 150 kg of simulated regolith using under 80 kilograms of hardware within 30 minutes, all while being able to operate under lunar-like conditions. Since the start of the competition in 2007, no team has accomplished this feat.  Astrobotic Technology Inc., led by William ‘Red’ Whittaker (TL) of Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute is one of the competitors vying to win with their excavator. The Monteleone family (CR) of Palm Bay FL, entering as ‘The Invading Huns,’ has stepped up to the challenge with their excavator, ‘Attila.’ Team leader, Bruce Monteleone, a student at Florida Tech, heard of the challenge and with the help of his family, began building ‘Attila’ in May 2009. The Regolith Excavation Challenge is a national prize competition under the NASA Centennial Challenges that awards $750,000 in prize money. (Credit: CSA, Astrobotic Technology Inc., attilarobot.com)