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ISDC 2005 a huge success!
With over 800 registrants and the
top names in space, the 2005 ISDC was perhaps the best
ever!
NSS members met and debated pioneers like Burt Rutan, Elon Musk,
and Peter Diamandis, while hearing the latest on the explorations
of Saturn, Mars and extrasolar planets. A few of the many
highlights:
- Presenting sponsor Transformational Space brought a new
twenty-foot mockup of its new space vehicle, the t/Space CXT.
- The Spaceward Foundation erected a forty foot model of its
upcoming space elevator competition.
- IMAX director Mark Cowen wowed the crowd with the inside story
of Tom Hanks' upcoming moon movie, Magnificent Desolation.
- Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart announced a bold new plan
to study the threat of Near Earth Object 2004MN4.
- NASA's Centennial Challenges program announced a new prize
competition for producing oxygen from Moon rocks.
- Virgin Galactic's Will Whitehorn shared the latest plans for
their new personal spaceflight experience.
- Burt Rutan received the coveted Von Braun award from Apollo
pioneer Konrad Dannenberg, then shared his personal vision of the
future.
- Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta keynoted the
society's anniversary gala at the National Air and Space Museum
Udvar Hazy Center, hosted by NSS Board of Governors Chairman Hugh
Downs.
All in all, it was a tremendous success. Special thanks go to
conference chair Bob Goetz and the entire conference team, as well
as all the sponsors and partner organizations.
Next year's conference will be held next May 18-21 in Los
Angeles, in an exciting new partnership with the Planetary Society.
See you there!
George T. Whitesides
Executive Director
National Space Society
1620 I St. NW, Suite 615
Washington, DC 20006
T: 202 429 1600
F: 202 463 8497
M: 626 833 5869
george@nss.org
http://www.nss.org
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