International Panels Contrast Space Approaches; Share Belief in Collaboration

OMAHA, Neb. (Nov.4, 2009) - Two panels of international space leaders spoke at the Strategic Space Symposium yesterday afternoon. Although the candid descriptions of their nations' space programs underscored significant differences, the panelists all shared a desire for increased collaboration and cooperation.

"Space is global, it is expensive and it is expansive; Canada won't go it alone. It's multi-year, multi-agency, and multi-national," said Maj. Gen. Stuart Beare, chief of force development, National Defence, Canada. "This means collaboration, cooperation, coordination, and, ultimately, integration."

Lt. Col. Shlomo Feder, head of Space Branch, Israeli Air Force, talked about a very different space program, but agreed about the need for collaboration, explaining that Israel and France share more tha 30 years of space cooperative experience, with the main focus on remote sensing.

Air Commodore David Steele, air attache, Embassy of Australia, Australian Department of Defence, told attendees to "watch this space" for more advanced remote sensing capabilities in Australia, pointing out that his country's expansiveness and position in the southern hemisphere could be a great asset to nations, such as the U.S., that need better surveillance in the southern skies. (Gen. Kevin P. Chilton discussed the need for space situational awareness in the southern hemisphere during his remarks earlier in the day. To see more about his remarks, click here.)

Both panels were moderated by Air Commodore Mark Roberts, Royal Air Force, United Kingdom. Other panelists included Brig. Gen. Yves Arnaud, commander, French Joint Space Command, French Ministry of Defence General Staff, OE Hiroshi, director general for International Affairs, Bureau of Defense Policy, Ministry of Defense, Japan, and Air Commodore Jan van Hoof, assistant director capabilities, NATO's Joint Air Power Competence Centre at Kalkar in Germany.

The Strategic Space Symposium continues today at the Qwest Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb.

Presented through a Space Foundation/United States Strategic Command partnership and themed Advancing Space Capabilities and Strengthening Operations to Promote Global Security, the Strategic Space Symposium is providing a platform for discussing challenging space issues and shaping space policy, in addition to showcasing industry best practices, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging space capabilities. For more details on the agenda, click here.

Major Space Foundation Strategic Space Symposium sponsors include: 

• Space News: Exclusive Media Partner
• AMERICOM Government Services: Exhibit Center
• Northrop Grumman: Nov. 3  Keynote Luncheon
• Raytheon: Nov. 4 Luncheon - Warfighter Perspectives

Additional Space Foundation co-sponsors include Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, AVIATION WEEK; the Bellevue (Nebraska) Chamber of Commerce, Boeing, CISCO Systems, CSC, CSP Associates, Defense Systems, Intelsat General Corporation, Integral Systems, Inc., Lockheed Martin, ManTech, the NASA Nebraska Space Grant, Sterling Computers, and SpaceX.

No federal endorsement of the Space Foundation or any of its members or affiliates is intended or implied. Sponsorship agreements are with the Space Foundation for programs and materials supplied by the Space Foundation. 

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