Media are invited to meet the leaders in the space science and engineering world at the 56th Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium at the Greenbelt Marriott, 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, Maryland, on March 14 and 15, 2018.
This year’s theme, “Exploration, Science and Technolgy: Partnerships for the Next Decade,” will emphasize NASA’s and other agencies’ projects and programs in the coming years. Supported by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and sponsored by the American Astronautical Society (AAS), this symposium brings together leaders in science, engineering and technology to discuss many of the common and unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“The annual Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium has been a high priority for all those involved in aerospace, science and space policy,” said Harley Thronson, chairman of the symposium’s planning committee at Goddard. “This year, we will be exploring how future partnerships might be structured and ways to allow those collaborations to be even more successful.”
During opening remarks, that begin on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. EDT, Carissa Christensen, CEO, Bryce Space and Technology, will discuss the current state of the space industry and how recent developments will impact exploration and science.
The keynote speaker will be NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot at 9:10 a.m.
Among the additional programming of the first day will be a panel discussion on “Advances and Partnerships in the Next Half of the Decade.” The panel will be held at 10:15 a.m. and the members include:
- William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- James Reuter, acting associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Bob Pearce, deputy associate administrator for Strategy, Office of the Associate Administrator, NASA Headquarters
- Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
The annual AAS awards recognizing significant achievements in space, will be presented at Wednesday’s luncheon after a keynote speech by NASA Chief Historian Bill Barry.
The closing “Spotlight” talk will be at 5:30 p.m. by Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, will present Thursday’s opening remarks beginning at 8:30 a.m.
At 3:15 p.m., the panel discussion, “What Robotics in Space Can Enable: 2025-2035,” will be an overview of how future robotics may enable missions not currently possible. It will be moderated by Ben Reed, deputy division director of the Satellite Servicing Projects Division at NASA Goddard. The panelists are:
- Todd Master, program manager, Tactical Technology Officer, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Erica Rodgers, senior technologist, Office of Chief Technologist, NASA Langley Research Center
- Al Tadros, vice president of Space Infrastructure and Civil Space, SSL
- Elizabeth “Zibi” Turtle, planetary scientist, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Thursday’s closing remarks, “Looking Ahead: 10 Years and Beyond,” will be held at 4:45 p.m. NASA Goddard Center Director Chris Scolese will moderate a discussion among:
- Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, Advanced Programs Division, Orbital ATK
- Debra Facktor, vice president and general manager of Strategic Operations and of the Commercial Aerospace Strategic Business Unit, Ball Aerospace
- Jim Garvin, chief scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Media interested in arranging interviews with NASA speakers should contact Cynthia O’Carroll no later than March 12 at 301-286-4787 or Cynthia.M.OCarroll@nasa.gov.
For details on the symposium, please visit:
http://astronautical.org/goddard
For more information about NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, visit:
Cynthia M. O’Carroll
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-4787
cynthia.m.ocarroll@nasa.gov