The Strategic Space and Defense Conference 2008 was brought to a close by Gen. Kevin Chilton. The general thanked the Space Foundation, industry representatives, and international partners for the support they provide United States Strategic Command, and urged further international participation at the conference in future years. He also congratulated NASA on its 50th anniversary and recognized the impact of NASA on the strategic environment. Leadership in manned and unmanned spaceflight is essential to keeping the United States at the forefront of technology and admiration around the world. Setting the bar high has served us well in the past and will continue to do so.

 

The general spoke about recent developments such as the historic SpaceX launch to orbit of the first privately-developed rocket and the first Chinese spacewalk. He also discussed the U.S. shootdown of a failing NRO satellite and mentioned that it put USSTRATCOM in the unusual position of being supported by other commands instead of providing support. For the future, assured access to space is a major concern. Even with a string of 58 successful launches, there will be a failure at some point and there should be a contingency plan in place.