Center for Aerospace Policy Research


SHORT COURSE

The U.S. Government
Space Sector

October 14-16, 2008

School of Public Policy
3401 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22201-4498

Co-sponsored by the American Astronautical Society* and the Space Foundation**

COURSE PRESENTATIONS                SPEAKER BIOS

The United States has been a world leader in space activities throughout the Space Age. With the demise of the Soviet Union and the subsequent steep decline in space spending in Russia, both civil and military, the U.S. today stands as the single space superpower. Central to this superpower status is the broad range of ongoing space related activities carried out by the U.S. government, including the implementation of the space exploration vision announced by President Bush in 2004..

This two and a half day course, to be held in the Washington area, is intended to provide participants with an understanding of the extent of the U.S. government's involvement in space activities. Relevant departments and agencies of the Administration will be addressed along with the key congressional committees. Particular attention will be paid to the roles and interactions of these different organizations in the development and implementation of U.S. space policy, within the Administration and the legislative process. U.S. government space activities within the broader context of space activities worldwide will also be addressed.

The course will consist of presentation sessions involving individual lectures by prominent speakers from government and academia, and panel sessions addressing specific topics, which will include non-U.S. participants. Panel sessions will include group discussion involving both the panelists and course participants.

* The American Astronautical Society, formed in 1954, is the premier independent scientific and technical group in the United States exclusively dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration.   Visit  www.astronautical.org
** The Space Foundation, based in Colorado Springs, is a national non-profit organization, which vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence.  Visit  www.spacefoundation.org

The course is aimed at new intakes to the government, or government employees seconded to Washington from around the country, who will be working in a specific sector of space activities, but who will benefit from an understanding of how their activities fit within a broader context. It will also be of benefit to members of the commercial sector involved in government space contracts or required to interface with the government in the course of their work. Non-U.S. government and industry representatives, whose work requires them to interface with U.S. government space programs, will also profit from the course, as will employees of professional societies whose activities require them to liaise with the government.

Class size will be limited to a maximum of 40 registrants.

 Please direct general questions about the conference to:
Ian Pryke
ianpryke@cox.net