Show To Feature Aerial Salute By USAF Thunderbirds

Kennedy Space Center plays host to the inaugural World Space Expo, celebrating NASA's 50 years in space exploration. World Space Expo will take place from Thursday, November 1, 2007 through Sunday, November 4, 2007 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex east of Orlando, FL.

"Working with NASA, we are gathering together some of the most exciting efforts in space exploration into a comprehensive space exposition, World Space Expo. The event will give all who attend a glimpse of mankind's space achievements from the place that sends people into space," said Daniel LeBlanc, Chief Operating Officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, host of the four-day event.

"The Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds will mark only the second time an air show has been held at Kennedy Space Center, with special viewing from the NASA Causeway."

The World Space Expo is billed as a unique event to celebrate humanity's first 50 years in space with a look forward to exploring the moon and beyond. Among the featured participants for the four days will be aerospace heroes John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, as well as the Pioneering Women of Aerospace forum, featuring Eileen Collins and other prominent female space veterans.

World Space Expo is sponsored by Space Florida, the principal organization charged with fostering the growth of Florida's space industry by the State of Florida, and Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism.

Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space, November 3-4, 2007 Space flight and flight training have deep roots that originate with military aviators. World Space Expo will highlight these roots with a special Aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space featuring some of the most significant aircraft in use by our military today.

The Aerial Salute will take place on the NASA Causeway overlooking the Banana River and will include aerial demonstrations by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, as well as performances by the F-22 Raptor, and the US Navy's F-18 Super Hornet.

The US Army Golden Knights parachute team will also perform, and a P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight is also scheduled.

The Space Florida Commercial Space Pavilion will feature displays and products from the traditional space contractor community as well as space tourism organizations and emerging private entrepreneurial companies. Sponsored by Space Florida, confirmed exhibitors include SpaceX, the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Transportation, and the X Prize Foundation -- featuring a full scale model of SpaceShipOne.

FMI: www.kennedyspacecenter.com/worldspaceexpo