IAC 2008

29 September - 3 October 2008

World’s biggest space show comes to Britain

Plans for the 59th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – the world’s biggest international space conference – being hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, by the British Interplanetary Society (BIS), are progressing well. More than 2000 scientists, engineers and space experts from around the world will take part in the week-long programme of presentations, exhibitions and discussions.

BIS members’ day at space congress

An exclusive day for members of the British Interplanetary Society is being organised for the final day of the IAC 2008 in Glasgow, Scotland, this autumn. The day is aimed at those who will not be attending the full week Congress as a delegate but nevertheless would like to get a flavour of the event.

“The IAC is a special event on the annual world space calendar, attracting many of the top space people, companies and organisations,” said Suszann Parry, Society executive secretary. “It was last held in the UK in 1987 so this really is a unique and rare opportunity to share in a big space occasion right on our doorstep.”

The BIS members’ day will be on Friday, 3 October, and admission will be free. The programme is expected to be as follows:

9 am - 12 noon
Exhibition - a chance to tour the large space exhibition and view the stands from many space companies and organisations.

12 noon – 2 pm
Sandwich lunch - meet members of the BIS Council and the Editor of Spaceflight magazine     

2 pm - 3.30 pm
Three part open plenary

‘Space travel and science fiction’
The first part will deal with the imagination inspired by space and the aspirations to travel beyond the Earth. It will feature a high profile figure from the space science fiction/fantasy genre, who will talk about how the power of space inspires an interest in science fiction.

‘Medical aspects of human spaceflight’
George Whitesides, the Executive Director of the National Space Society and an advisor to Virgin Galactic, will speak about future public spaceflight opportunities.
Melchor Antunano, the director of the FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, will talk about the IAA study on medical requirements for space tourist flights.
 Loretta Hidalgo - planning the first ever space honeymoon on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo with fiancee George Whitesides - will talk about her perspective and motivations for making such a flight.

‘Life as an astronaut’
The final part will feature questions and answers to a panel of astronauts on what it’s really like to prepare for and then go into space. Participants will be invited to submit written questions in advance and to roving stewards in the hall. Astronauts will include Michael Lopez-Alegria (USA), Sergei Krikalev (Russia), Chiaki Mukai (Japan) and Jean-Francois Clervoy.

3.30 - 4.30 pm
Highlight lecture - ‘Fusion, antimatter & the space drive: charting a path to the stars’
 Human and robotic exploration of the solar system is underway but the true vision for space exploration is interstellar travel to other stars and habitable worlds. The lecture - by Kelvin Long, of the Tau Zero Foundation - will discuss progress in propulsion concepts: fusion, antimatter, solar sail and more exotic concepts like the space drive - which aim to deliver this vision.

Any BIS member wishing to attend should apply for a ticket(s) via email to mail@bis-spaceflight.com by 31 August. Members may bring one guest.

There is a wide range of accommodation in Glasgow for those wanting to stay over and make the most of exploring this interesting city but members are advised to book early as there will be high demand during the week. Further hotel and B&B details can be found on www.iac2008.co.uk or www.seeglasgow.com

Space theme days for highlight lectures

The 2008 IAC in Glasgow, Scotland - being hosted by the British Interplanetary Society - promises to be an excellent opportunity to combine high quality technical discussion with debate on important policy issues. Each day will have a theme, reflected in the Plenary Events, Late Breaking News and Highlight Lectures for that day.

Monday – Agencies Day
Following the morning Opening Ceremony, there is a Plenary Event which brings together the heads of the world’s major space agencies – including Europe, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, India and Japan. Each agency head will make a short presentation on plans for the future.

The Highlight Lecture will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Space Station and the worldwide co-operation between the space agencies underpinning the ground-breaking project.

Tuesday – Industry Day
An opportunity for industry to discuss future commercial opportunities in space and issues that need to be resolved to encourage private sector initiatives.
The day will begin with a joint Plenary between heads of agencies and heads of industry. The afternoon Plenary will explore legal and financial aspects of the measures needed to create an appropriately open, commercial but regulated environment for future space operations.

The Highlight Lecture is centred on UK entrepreneurial activity in affordable access to space, satellite design and manufacture.

Wednesday – Climate Day
This day will focus on the vital contribution that Earth observation is making in helping to monitor and manage climate change and the environment. The morning Plenary will deal with the European contribution to this global collaboration and the afternoon Plenary will be a moderated discussion of the space based contribution to GEOSS.
A lunchtime slot will host a round table discussion on the role of space in managing natural hazards, debating the conclusions of the UN/IAF Workshop held the preceding Friday and Saturday.

The Highlight Lecture will look at the worldwide impact of climate change, illustrated by observations from space.

Thursday – Exploration Day
The International Space Station, the Moon, Mars and beyond are amongst the topics for Exploration Day events. Plenaries will discuss the role of the Space Station and future lunar and planetary missions, both manned and unmanned.

The Highlight Lecture will deal with longer range missions, observing and exploring the secrets of the Solar System and beyond.
   
Friday – Citizens’ Day
The morning Plenary Event looks at prospects for establishing a Moon base as an early step in the outward spread of mankind from the Earth.
In the afternoon astronauts will be introduced to answer questions on their lives and experiences from students and young people. The session will also explore medical factors likely to affect the practicalities of future commercial passenger spaceflight. It will end with a popular piece on science fiction and the romance of space travel.

The closing Highlight Lecture will explore prospects for advanced space propulsion – fusion, antimatter, the space drive - in our reaching out for the stars.


Online registration opened for Glasgow

Delegates, students and accompanying persons can now register for the 2008 International Astronautical Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, from 29 September to 3 October, online via the website www.iac2008.co.uk 

Click on Register for full details, including all the payment options for different categories of delegate. The page also has information and links for those that will need to apply for a UK visa. Bookings and credit card payments can be taken directly through the website via a secure server, or delegates can download an Acrobat PDF form to fill in on a PC or Mac computer and send back by email or fax.

There is no closing date for registrations but there are discounts for those booking either by 1 August and then before 23 September.

Society members and readers of Spaceflight and JBIS wanting to be part of this major event can attend the full Congress as a delegate/participant (see www.iac2008.co.uk for registration and cost details) or visit the space exhibition for free on one of the public days - Wednesday (1 October) afternoon between 4-6 pm, all day Thursday and between 9-12 noon on the Friday.

Delegates can chose from a wide variety of accommodation in Glasgow and comprehensive details and prices can be found by clicking on the link headed Accommodation. For a lively video introduction to the vibrant city of Glasgow itself click on the ‘Glasgow: Scotland with style’ logo on the home page. There is also more general Congress information in the downloadable brochure ‘Second Announcement Part 1’ just below the Glasgow logo.


Business benefits at IAC 2008

For any UK business with an interest in space-related products and future applications this is a prime opportunity to be part of the biggest space-dedicated exhibition and gathering of space professionals of the year. Between 29 September to 3 October 2008, the 59th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and exhibition takes place at the city’s Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) and adjoining Crowne Plaza hotel. IAC 2008 will provide an international focus for the presentation of the latest ideas, current activities and future ambitions across a diverse range of space-related areas.

The exhibition - covering 10,000 m2 and seamlessly integrated with the Congress itself - offers a unique global business and networking forum, bringing together international buyers and suppliers, and creating an opportunity for interaction, relationship-building and business generation. Centrepiece of the exhibition area will be a Host Nation Welcome Zone - an opportunity for British industry, research establishments and academia to promote their achievements and to market their activities and capabilities. A mixture of shell scheme and space only stands are available within the exhibition hall, and there are a variety of sponsorship opportunities too.

If you are interested in taking a space in the exhibition or joining activities in the Host Nation Welcome Zone, please contact Jeremy Crisp, the exhibition organiser, on tel 01344 467 444 or by e-mail, jeremy@space-exhibitions.com.


The host organisation, the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) – celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008 – is fully committed to creating the perfect conference and exhibition business environment.


For more info go to www.iac2008.co.uk