With a theme of "Building on the Past to Power the Future," the first-ever Von Braun Symposium will be held at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Oct. 21 and 22. The American Astronautical Society and the National Space Club of Huntsville are hosting the event in conjunction with NASA and co-sponsors The Boeing Company, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin and Teledyne Brown Engineering. The symposium will feature panel discussions and guest speakers focusing on the current state and future of human space flight.

"We are excited to offer this great opportunity in Huntsville, a city that has played such a vital role in America's space program," said AAS Executive Director Jim Kirkpatrick. "The Symposium will be an excellent opportunity to hear what's going on with the future of human space flight directly from the leaders in the field."

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Director David King will open the event, followed by a panel discussion about the Ares I rocket with NASA representatives and industry partners. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will be the luncheon speaker on Oct. 21, and the afternoon will feature a discussion about the Ares V heavy cargo launch vehicle and future potential science missions as well as a look at Huntsville's historical role supporting the U.S. space program. The agenda also includes discussions about the political environment for the space industry under a new administration, and an industry panel looking at the future of space exploration. The annual Von Braun Dinner, to be held Oct. 22 at the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, will follow the symposium.

Those interested in attending the event should visit http://www.astronautical.org/vonbraun/

All panels and discussion events will be open to the news media to attend. News media must register at www.astronautical.org/vonbraun/ no later than October 16.

Formed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society (AAS) is the premier independent scientific and technical group in the United States exclusively dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration.