Mar 12, 2024   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Universities Space Research Association and The Space Policy Institute to Host Symposium on March 21, 2024, in Washington DC

WASHINGTON, D.C.--March 12, 2024. The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) invites members of media to attend its annual half-day symposium: Space Nuclear Technology: Research & Development for Evolving Space Missions at the Holiday Inn, Washington DC, National Mall on March 21, 2024. The Symposium is being held in partnership with the Space Policy Institute of George Washington University.


     WHAT:           Symposium on Space Nuclear Technology: Research and Development for Evolving
                      Space Missions
            (Sponsored by USRA and The Space Policy Institute)


     WHEN:  
            
              Thursday, March 21, 2024 -- 1:00 PM-5:30 PM


     WHERE: 
            Holiday Inn Washington D.C. National Mall.


     WHO:   
            Prominent Business, government, academic and policy leaders


     WHY:            To discuss how Space Nuclear Technology Can Contribute to Science, Exploration
                      and the Future
            Security Environment
-- Press registration is complimentary. -- If you plan to attend, please RSVP to sfarukhi@usra.edu; Ph: 443-812-6945 -- The Media are invited to attend a reception immediately following the Symposium at 5:30 PM. -- The event will be livestreamed. Here is the livestream link which will go live at 12:45 PM on March 21, 2024: https://events.tvworldwide.com/Events/usra_240321

LINE UP OF SPEAKERS

    --  FRANKLIN CHANG-DIAZ, Founder Ad Astra Rocket Company
    --  PRASUN DESAI, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Space Technology
        Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
    --  THOMAS LOCKHART, Director, J-8, U.S. Space Command, Department of
        Defense U.S. Space Command, Department of Defense
    --  ANTHONY CALOMINO, Space Nuclear Technology Portfolio Manager, NASA
    --  ROGER MYERS, National Academy of Engineering
    --  CHRISTINA BACK, Vice President, Nuclear Technologies and Materials,
        General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
    --  JUSTIN KASPER, Chief of Technology, BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC
    --  HARLAN BOWERS, President, X Energy, LLC
    --  TABITHA DODSON, Program Manager, DRACO, DARPA, Department of Defense
    --  DOUG BURNS, Space Nuclear Propulsion Project, NASA Marshall Space Flight
        Center
    --  LINDSEY HOLMES, Vice President, Advanced Projects, AMA, Inc.
    --  ALEX GILBERT, Director, Space & Planetary Regulation, Zeno Power
    --  JEFF WAKSMAN, Program Manager, Project Pele, Department of Defense
    --  JEFFREY KING, Professor, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,
        Colorado School of Mines

Media Coverage

    --  All sessions will be on-the-record and may be video- or audio-recorded
        by accredited journalists, provided symposium proceedings are not
        disrupted. A press room and mult-box will be available on-site.
        Interviews may be conducted after all sessions conclude at the speakers'
        individual discretion.
    --  Follow the conversation on Twitter using #USRAedu, or on Facebook at
        www.facebook.com/USRAedu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Suraiya Farukhi, Director Communications, Sfarukhi@usra.edu; 443-812-6945

Media Credentials, Inquiries
All media should register for a badge to attend symposium sessions and the reception. Reporters, producers and photojournalists with valid media credentials are encouraged to pre-register via email with their name, news affiliation, title and phone number to Suraiya Farukhi (sfarukhi@usra.edu; (443) 812- 6945 by 5:00 pm Friday, March 15, 2024. All media requests received after this deadline will be handled onsite at the symposium on Thursday, March 21. Both pre-registered and onsite registrants are required to provide a business card, press pass or equivalent identification at the media registration desk the day of the symposium. Registration for press is complimentary.

USRA Background
In 1969, at the request of NASA and other federal policymakers, NASA established USRA as an independent, nonprofit bridge for scholars and scientists to study samples of lunar rock and soil collected by Apollo astronauts. Now - 50 years later - USRA's mission encompasses far broader space- and aeronautics-related sciences exploration through leading-edge research, technology and education programs; space and aeronautics policy formation; and the operation and management of world-class facilities and initiatives through a consortium of 117 universities, the private sector and federal and foreign governments.

USRA's contributions over a half century touch nearly every aspect of space science, research and development and education - from biomedicine and astrophysics to space technology, facility management and operations, and education. By partnering with NASA, academic institutions worldwide, and industry, USRA has enabled the study of the universe from airborne, ground-based and orbiting observatories as well as from space-based platforms. Its scientists and engineers have helped develop advanced technologies for complex spacecraft and human exploration into deep space. USRA's operation of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory with NASA and Google is also producing some of the most important discoveries of our time. USRA's workforce development initiatives impact the entire education spectrum - including K-12 STEM and student internship programs at federal laboratories and USRA facilities.

More information about USRA and this symposium are available at newsroom.usra.edu

Media Contact:
Suraiya Farukhi, Ph.D. Director, Communications, USRA
sfarukhi@usra.edu cell: (443) 812-6945

/PRNewswire -- March 12, 2024/

SOURCE Universities Space Research Association