Thirty-Third Annual Conference Opens May 14 In Los Angeles

The 33rd Annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC 2014) kicks off on Wednesday, May 14, for five days of presentations, panels, exhibits, lunches and dinners celebrating this year's theme, "A Space Renaissance." ISDC is the yearly conference of the National Space Society (NSS), a nonprofit organization that has hosted the gathering since 1982. This year's venue is the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport.

Among the notable VIPs at ISDC 2014 is the Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, who will open Thursday morning's plenary session, and Elon Musk (pictured), CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, who will accept the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Award during Friday evening's Governor's Dinner.

Apollo 11 astronaut and author Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the Moon (pictured, below), will speak at a noontime luncheon on Saturday. A total of six astronauts will be attending the conference. "I've participated in the ISDC since the very first one in 1982, and it remains the preeminent meeting of its kind anywhere in the country," said Aldrin. "I am looking forward to speaking at the conference again this year and I encourage anyone with an interest in space exploration and innovation to join me at ISDC 2014."

Throughout the event, a stellar cast of experts and dignitaries, including astronauts, scientists, engineers, educators, aerospace industry leaders, and government officials will share their knowledge and opinions on contemporary space exploration topics. Exhibitors from many leading companies will also be on hand to showcase the latest space-related products, projects and technologies.

Additional distinguished speakers include Geoff Notkin, meteorite expert and star of TV's Meteorite Men; former NASA Astronaut Rick Searfoss, Director of Flight Test Operations and Chief Test Pilot for XCOR Aerospace; Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX; Taber McCallum, Cofounder of Paragon Space Development Corporation; and over 200 additional presenters and panelists. Three members of the Mercury MESSENGER team will also be participating.

ISDC covers a number of broad topic areas organized into Program Tracks and sub-tracks. One track garnering considerable interest is Space and Media, focusing on the effects of media on the public's perception of space exploration. Conference attendees will hear from some of the creative minds behind movies like Gravity, Oblivion, and Star Trek: Into Darkness, and the current hit television series COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey. Other major tracks include Space Experience, Living in Space, NASA/Exploration, Mars, and Space Solar Power."ISDC 2014 is shaping up to be an amazing conference with an extraordinary group of talented speakers and panelists," said Mark Hopkins, Chairman of the Executive Committee for the National Space Society. "Some event seating is limited, so anyone interested in registering should act quickly."

Online registration is currently open with a variety of options, from single day registration passes to full conference registration with meals. Discounts are provided for youth, full-time students, seniors, and members of NASA Federal Credit Union and the National Space Society and its affiliates

FMI: http://isdc.nss.org/2014