FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Patricia Grace Smith has announced that the 6th Annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Forecast Conference will take place on February 11 and 12 at the Fairmont Hotel in D.C. The theme of this year’s conference is “Commercial Space – Looking to the Future.”

The first day of the conference begins at 9 a.m. with keynote speaker and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Science Rep. Sherwood H. Boehlert (R-NY). 

At noon, the luncheon speaker will be Gil Klinger, director for space policy of the National Security Council of the White House. Throughout the day various panels will cover issues such as the human presence in space, legal considerations for private lunar missions, and entrepreneurship.

The second day of the conference also begins at 9, with keynote speaker Bob Walker, a former congressman and now chairman of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. While in Congress, Walker was chairman of the Committee on Science.  Day two panels will focus on space education, legislation, and propulsion.

Prior to 1989, no commercial space transportation industry existed, and the U.S. only launched commercial satellites on vehicles owned by the government. Various events in the 1980s led to the development of the U.S. industry and by 2000 the industry accounted for more than $60 billion in economic activity and provided untold benefits to consumers. Both economic and consumer service levels are expected to grow.

The FAA is responsible for regulating US commercial space transportation.

FMI: http://ast.faa.gov