Panel Discussion To Be Moderated By Jim Bell Of The Planetary Society

Not too long ago, the U.S. space program was the jewel of U.S. science and technology efforts. Highly visible, it had a "can do" mentality, performed extraordinary technical and scientific feats under intense deadlines and was a source of national pride. Today, the space program is at a major crossroads. We no longer send astronauts to the moon, the Space Shuttle program has been retired, and many of the most ambitious planetary space exploration efforts have been cutback or curtailed due to budget concerns and uncertainty.

What do we see as we look ahead for the space program? Where does space exploration fit as a national priority? Should NASA continue in its lead role of U.S. space efforts? Should the private sector take over? Should space be commercialized? How can universities work with commercial companies to advance space exploration? 

A panel of leading experts will meet to discuss these topics and explore other options available in space exploration at this critical time for the U.S. and the world.

Panelists include:

• Lori Garver, former Deputy Administrator, NASA
• Alex Saltman, Executive Director, Commercial Space Flight Federation
• Steve Isakowitz, President, Virgin Galactic
• Debra Facktor Lepore, Vice President and General Manager, Strategic Operations, Ball Aerospace
• Laurie Leshin, Dean, School of Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Ariel Anbar, Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University

Jim Bell (pictured), President, the Planetary Society and Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, will moderate the panel. The event is scheduled for November 15, 2013; 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 am, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

http://forum.asu.edu/forum/space-exploration