ISDC96 History

Rugged Individualism Track (Entrepreneurship and Volunteerism, May 23-27) A look at how entrepreneurs and volunteers are paving their own way into space–and how you can participate. Find out about the latest in space entrepreneurship, orbital tourism, and volunteer-run space and satellite programs.

• Space Business Case Studies (Thurs. 5/23)
• Space Tourism (Sat. 5/25)
• Amateur Satellite & Rocket Projects (Sat.-Sun. 5/25-26)
• Private Space Missions (Fri. 5/24)

Large-Scale Programs Track (Government and Big Business in Space, May 23-27) Government programs, large-scale private space ventures. Session topics will include planetary exploration, the International Space Station, solar power satellites, and space settlement.

• Space Shuttle / Space Station (Thur.-Fri. 5/23-24)
• New Launch Vehicles (Sat. 5/25)
• Planetary Exploration (Sat.-Mon. 5/25-27)
• Solar Power Satellites (Sun. 5/26)

Technology Frontiers Track (Technology and More, May 23-27) The nuts and bolts of spaceflight. We will include sessions on telerobotics, propulsion, exploration architectures, and space on the Internet.

• Space Life Sciences Symposium (Fri. 5/24)
• In-Situ Materials (Fri. 5/24)
• Biospheres and Space Habitation (Sat. 5/25)
• Asteroids: Peril or Promise? (Sun. 5/26) (Special session by the Philadelphia Area Space Alliance)

Education Track (Space for Educators, Parents, and Students, May 25-27) Resources, trends, and workshops for educators, parents, and space enthusiasts interested in learning how to integrate space into the current curriculum. Learn how to prepare today’s youth for the scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

• Space on the Internet Session (Sun. 5/26)
• Space Education Workshops (Sat.-Mon. 5/25-27)
• Journey from New York Back to the Moon! Spend an exciting evening with fellow teachers, parents, and space enthusiasts on a “Return to the Moon” mission at the Beuhler Challenger Center in Paramus, NJ
• Saturday’s education program: Project: Contact: A workshop for teachers and students.

Additional ISDC’96 Activities

• AIAA Dinner Thursday Night and NSS Space Pioneer Award for Media to Jeffrey Kluger, Co-author, Lost Moon (Apollo 13)
• The Foundry (space project workshop) (Sat.-Sun. 5/25-26)
• NSS Board Meeting (Sun. 5/26)
• NSS Awards Ceremony (Sun. Eve 5/26)

Special Events and Co-Located Activities A number of separate space-related events are being held in conjunction with ISDC 96–most included with your ISDC registration fee. See below for details.

• “New Roads to the Stars” Interstellar Flight Symposium
• Symposium on Starflight Technology, May 23-24
• NY Space Expos logo
• 1996 New York Space Expo
• Astronaut / Scientist / Visionary Speakers Program
• Space Collectibles / Stamp / Merchandise Show
• US Postal Service Station / ISDC’96 Postal Cover
• “Art of the Distant Earth” Space Art Exhibit
• One-Day Professional Space Courses (extra fee)
• Special NYC, Buehler Challenger Center tours (extra fee)
• Analog Magazine Science Fiction Panel
• Analog Magazine will host a panel of science fiction authors on their view of the future of spaceflight. Moderated by Analog editor Stanley Schmidt, the panel is scheduled for the morning of Monday, May 27.
• Students for the Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS)
• Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), an organization of spaceminded college and university students, will host their annual conference on Friday, May 24, at ISDC’96. The program will include discussion on the SEDSAT tethered satellite project, SEDS amateur rocketry program, and other activities. For more information on this separate-admission activity, contact:
  • Mark Ciotola
  • 285 Buckingham Way #103
  • San Francisco, CA 93132
  • (415) 564-4114

Professional-Level One-Day Short Courses (extra fee) Four exciting, relevant courses on the leading edge of space! In conjunction with the National Space Society’s 1996 International Space Development Conference and the 1996 New York Space Expo in New York City, these deeply discounted, one-day courses are being made available for a fee in addition to the ISDC’96 / New York Space Expo registration price. You need not register for either event to attend these courses. Each course is taught on a professional but accessible level, intended for the space-initiated public. All courses will be held at the Grand Hyatt New York, 42nd Street at Park Avenue, Manhattan, concurrently with ISDC’96 and the 1996 New York Space Expo. Follow these links for detailed course descriptions, instructor backgrounds, and costs and the registration form. (Registration deadline: May 1, 1996; late registrations subject to availability.) Sponsored by:

• Space Expos of America Inc.
• Launchspace Inc.
• International Space University

Primer on Launch Vehicle Technologies & Systems (Thurs. 5/23)

• Dr. Marshall Kaplan, Launchspace Inc.
  • Overview of / trends in expendable, reusable launchers.

An Introduction to Remote Sensing (Thurs. 5/23)

• Dr. Scott Madry, International Space University
  • Basics of Earth imaging, including applications, software.

LEO Constellation Design & Spacecraft Design Impacts (CANCELLED)

• Mr. Robert Cenker, PE, Launchspace Inc.
  • Introduction to spacecraft system technologies, trends.

Chaos, Orbital Dynamics and Fuzzy Boundaries (Fri. 5/24)

• Dr. Edward Belbruno, The Geometry Center, U of Minn.
  • New low-energy planetary missions through chaos theory.

Tours of NYC and Beyond New York City is a great vacation spot, with the Grand Hyatt New York right in the middle of it all. Organized sightseeing, shopping and dining trips will be available, as will child day care. Scheduled extra-fee tours include:

• Wall Street / NYC Technology Tour (Fri. 5/24)
• Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island (Sat. 5/25)
• “Jackie O” Walk / Metropolitan Museum of Art (Sat. 5/25)
• Self-Guided Double-Decker Bus Tours of NYC (All Days)
• Discount Broadway Show (Sat. Eve 5/25)
• Buehler Challenger Center (Fri. Eve 5/24) (Includes tour, “Return to the Moon” simulated mission.)