Space Elevator Conference starts this week

The 2009 Space Elevator Conference, being held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, Washington, begins this week.  This is the same location as the conference was held in last year and I can personally attest to the wonderful facilities that this conference is being held in.  Once again, we owe Microsoft a very large “Thank You” for helping to make this possible.

Following is the official Press Release for the conference:

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Space Elevator Conference 2009 Set To Open August 13

Researchers and the public will convene in Washington State to explore building the first “Stairway to the Stars”

Redmond, Wash. (July 28, 2009) –Scientists, researchers and space enthusiasts from throughout the world will gather on the Microsoft campus August 13 – 16 for Space Elevator Conference 2009, an exploration of the technical, legal and social issues and challenges of building an Elevator to Space.

A variety of events are planned for the public, as well as the scientific community, on this revolutionary way to send cargo and humans into space. Events include:

•    A four day technical conference discussing the issues and challenges of constructing an Elevator to Space
•    Space Elevator 101, a half day public information event geared towards the layperson
•    A special showing of the film “Orphans of Apollo”
•    The NASA Centennial Challenge Strong Tethers Competitionfor a possible purse prize of up to $2 million.

Space Elevator Conference 2009 will kick off on Wednesday, August 12 with a free Space Elevator overview presentation and Q & A session open to the public at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, Wash.

Space Elevator Conference 2009 is sponsored by the Space Engineering and Science Institute (SESI), JPL Space Foundation and Microsoft Corporation.  Dates are as follows:

•    Space Elevator overview presentation Wednesday August 12 from 7 – 8:30 PM.
•    Technical conference: August 13-16th from 7AM. – 8:30 PM. Thursday through Saturday, and 7AM. – 6 PM. on Sunday.
•    NASA Centennial Challenge Strong Tether Competition Friday August 14 from 9:30 – 11AM.
•    “Orphans of Apollo” Friday August 14, 7 – 8:30 PM
•    Space Elevator 101: Saturday August 15 from 9 AM. – 1 PM. and again from 1 – 4 PM

Pricing for the technical conference is $300 in advance and $375 after August 1 for the full four days, including breakfast and lunch daily.  Student pricing as well as one and two day passes to the technical conference are also available.  The NASA Centennial Challenge Strong Tether Competition is limited to conference attendees only and is included in the price of registration.  Admission to Space Elevator 101 is $40 in advance for 1 – 4 people or $50 at the door. Ticket prices for “Orphans of the Apollo” is $10 per person.  To register online or to purchase advance tickets please visit www.spaceelevatorconference.org.

Media Contacts:

Michael Laine
Space Elevator Conference
Telephone: 360-863-1417
Email: laine@liftport.com

Belinda Young
BYPR
Telephone: 206-932-3145
Email: byoung@bypr.com

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It’s still not too late to register to attend.  Visit the official conference website for more details.  Hope to see you there!