Low Earth Orbit For Humans As Well As Cargo Is The Goal
Industry and government leaders will
meet on June 18 to explore the promising future of commercial space
transportation -- of humans as well as cargo -- in meeting
government and private sector needs in low Earth orbit. The special
half-day event, "Innovations in Orbit: An Exploration of Commercial
Crew and Cargo Transportation," will feature panelists and speakers
from NASA, the FAA, and the private sector, discussing a broad
array of innovative commercial space transportation concepts.
Organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA), the discussion is free and open to the public, and takes
place on Thursday, June 18, in Washington, DC
The event will feature an industry panel moderated by aerospace
consultant Patti Grace Smith, a former FAA Associate Administrator
for Commercial Space Transportation. Featured panelists include:
Mike Gold, director of the Washington, D.C. area office of Bigelow
Aerospace; George Sowers, vice president for business development
and advanced programs at the United Launch Alliance; Max Vozoff,
director of civil business development for Space Exploration
Technologies; and Frank L. Culbertson, senior vice president for
human space programs at Orbital Sciences Corporation.
A government panel will follow, moderated by Michael Beavin,
senior program analyst at the Department of Commerce Office of
Space Commercialization. Featured panelists include: Valin Thorn,
deputy program manager of NASA's Commercial Crew & Cargo
Program; Ken Davidian, the "Encourage, Facilitate, and Promote"
program lead at the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation;
Chan Lieu, senior professional staff member at the U.S. Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Jeff
Bingham, senior advisor on space and aeronautics for the minority,
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
AIAA President David Thompson stated, "This gathering provides
an important opportunity to discuss the future of commercial and
government interaction in space. As commercial firms and government
agencies increase their use of space, it is critical that we
examine the needs of both enterprises, and the designs for
commercial crew sustainment and cargo transportation systems to
meet those needs. This gathering will give attendees a
comprehensive look at those needs and the systems which will meet
them."