COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 31, 2008) -- Several noteworthy individuals have recently confirmed their participation as featured speakers and panelists for the 24th National Space Symposium. The newly confirmed speakers include Mr. Robert A. Bednarek, president & chief executive officer, SES New Skies; Ms. Evie Haskell, editor-in-chief, The BRIDGE Media Group; John M. Logsdon, Ph.D., director, Space Policy Institute, and acting director, Center for International Science and Technology Policy, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University; and Gen. Lance W. Lord, USAF (Retired), chief executive officer, Lance Lord & Associates, LLC. They join the list of previously confirmed speakers, which includes senior leaders from across the space industry.

Logsdon and Lord will serve as panelists on the "When Worlds Collide" panel at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, joining Mr. Paul Graziani, president and chief executive officer, Analytical Graphics, Inc., and Brig. Gen. Robert 'Tip' Osterthaler, USAF (Retired), president and chief executive officer, AMERICOM Government Services. On Wednesday afternoon at 2:15, Bednarek will give featured remarks from the international industry perspective, with Haskell serving as interviewer.

In addition to previously confirmed congressional participation, The Honorable Tom Feeney, U.S. House of Representatives will also take part various aspects of the symposium.

Actress Jolene Blalock, known for her role as Commander T'Pol on Star Trek: Enterprise, has also committed to serve as special guest award presenter for the Space Technology Hall of Fame Private Induction Ceremony and special guest master of ceremonies for the Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, on Thursday, April 10.

In addition to these newly confirmed significant additions to the program, the 24th National Space Symposium promises a spectacular lineup of speakers, panels, awards presentations, networking opportunities, an extensive exhibit center, and more. The symposium kicks off with entertainment by the jazz, blues, and swing group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the presentation of several annual Space Foundation awards in an Opening Ceremony co-sponsored by United Space Alliance. Following the Opening Ceremony, Opening Night Reception, co-sponsored by ATK will officially open the Exhibit Center co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin. The evening will close with Opening Night Fireworks and Late-night Reception, co-sponsored by Raytheon.

Other highlights of the 24th National Space Symposium include the Corporate Partnership Cocktail Reception, co-sponsored by AMERICOM Government Services; the Corporate Partnership Dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman; the presentation of the Space Foundation's highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, at a luncheon co-sponsored by Boeing; the Space Technology Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception, co-sponsored by Axiom Worldwide, and the Space Technology Hall of Fame Dinner, co-sponsored by Space Florida.

Additional co-sponsors of the symposium are Analytical Graphics, Inc., ATK, BAE Systems, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Cisco Systems, CSP Associates, Computer Sciences Corporation, Harris Corporation, Hitachi Consulting, Honeywell, Infinite Links, Intelsat General, ITT, Perot Systems Government Services, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, SEAKR Engineering, Inc., Stellar Solutions, and United Launch Alliance. Media partners for the 24th National Space Symposium are Aviation Week, Space News, and Via Satellite. Frontier Airlines is the official airline of the conference.

Online registration and more information, including an updated program agenda, confirmed speaker list, and exhibitor list, are available at www.NationalSpaceSymposium.org.

About the Space Foundation

Founded in 1983 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Space Foundation is an international nonprofit organization advancing space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity. A leader in space awareness activities, major industry events, and educational enterprises that bring space into the classroom, the Space Foundation is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo. It conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office, and has field representatives in Houston and Cape Canaveral, Fla. Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation also conducts Strategic Space and Defense 2008, scheduled 6-8 October in Omaha, Neb. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.