ISDC 2005 a huge success!
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With over 800 registrants and the top names in space, the 2005 ISDC was perhaps the best ever!
NSS members met and debated pioneers like Burt Rutan, Elon Musk, and Peter Diamandis, while hearing the latest on the explorations of Saturn, Mars and extrasolar planets. A few of the many highlights: Presenting sponsor Transformational Space brought a new twenty-foot mockup of its new space vehicle, the t/Space CXT. The Spaceward Foundation erected a forty foot model of its upcoming space elevator competition. IMAX director Mark Cowen wowed the crowd with the inside story of Tom Hanks' upcoming moon movie, Magnificent Desolation. Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart announced a bold new plan to study the threat of Near Earth Object 2004MN4. NASA's Centennial Challenges program announced a new prize competition for producing oxygen from Moon rocks. Virgin Galactic's Will Whitehorn shared the latest plans for their new personal spaceflight experience. Burt Rutan received the coveted Von Braun award from Apollo pioneer Konrad Dannenberg, then shared his personal vision of the future. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta keynoted the society's anniversary gala at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar Hazy Center, hosted by NSS Board of Governors Chairman Hugh Downs.
All in all, it was a tremendous success. Special thanks go to conference chair Bob Goetz and the entire conference team, as well as all the sponsors and partner organizations.
Next year's conference will be held next May 18-21 in Los Angeles, in an exciting new partnership with the Planetary Society. See you there!
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