"Key Actions for the 21st Century" Is Topic of
National Risk-Management Symposium for Space

MCLEAN, Va. (5/6/02) -- Leaders in a transformational era for space will be defining the knowledge base and identifying the steps, tools, and methodologies necessary to maintain a record of success in the 21st century when they gather May 21-24 in McLean, Va., at Risk Management 2002, the nation's most important risk management event for space. Among those addressing the pivotal issues affecting mission success in this turbulent era will be

• Sean O'Keefe, administrator of NASA
• Dennis D. Fitzgerald, deputy director, National Reconnaissance Office
• Col. Michael J. Dunn, director of launch programs, Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center
• Keith L. Englander, deputy director, systems integration and engineering, Missile Defense Agency
• Randell J. Larsen, director, ANSER Institute for Homeland Security
• Edwin M. Squires, senior vice president, Air and Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Dr. George E. Apostolakis, professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The symposium is sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation -- an independent, nonprofit company that provides objective technical analyses and assessments for national security space programs and selected civil and commercial space programs -- and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, which is responsible for the acquisition of military space systems.

These two partners, which have been central to Department of Defense space programs for more than four decades, are joined by contributing sponsors NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Missile Defense Agency. Industry participants include The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin

Corporation, TRW Inc., Futron Corporation, and others.

In addition to nationally recognized speakers, technical sessions, panel discussions, and tutorials are featured in this exceptional program designed for risk-management professionals involved in acquiring and operating space systems.

Among the topics for discussion by a panel to be led by Dr. Sheila Widnall of MIT, formerly secretary of the Air Force, is "Managing Risk for Mission Assurance in a 'One Strike, You're Out' Environment."