Contact:

Mohamed S. El-Genk, 277-0446 Michael Padilla, 277-1816

January 14, 2002

Space Technology and Applications 2002 Forum set for Feb. 3-6

“Education - Pathway to Space” is the theme for the 19th Annual University of New Mexico’s Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (ISNPS) Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-2002) set for Feb. 3 - 6 at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency Hotel.

A series of four conferences associated with space technology and applications include: Conference on Thermophysics in Microgravity; Conference on Innovative Transportation Systems for Exploration of the Solar System and Beyond; 19th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; and Conference on Commercial/Civil Next Generation Space Transportation.

Among the dignitaries invited to speak in two plenary sessions are Bonnie J. Dunbar, associate director for university research and affairs, NASA Johnson Space Center; Harley Thronson, discipline scientist, NASA headquarters; Julius Dasch, manager space grant and EPSCoR Programs, NASA headquarters; NASA Astronauts; Roderick Paige, U.S. secretary for education; Susan Sclafani, counselor to the secretary of education; Jeff Sutton, director, National Space Biomedical Research Institute; Richard Williams, NASA chief medical officer.

The forum also features a special session and space design competition for secondary school students. This outreach activity is celebrating its 15th anniversary benefiting many students and their teachers from throughout the state of New Mexico. Its organizers are Irene El-Genk, West Mesa High School and Jeffrey King, UNM Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies.

The forum is presented in cooperation with: International Astronautical Federation, American Astronautical Society, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (National and Local Section), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Heat Transfer and Energy Conversion Division), American Nuclear Society (Trinity Section), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Nuclear Engineering Division Heat Transfer Division), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society), NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, (New Mexico Space Grant Consortium).

STAIF-2002 is co-sponsored by NASA Headquarters and Field Centers, the Department of Energy and industry. Government, aerospace industry and universities are invited to exhibit and present papers at this conference.

The forum technical and publication chair is UNM Regents’ Professor Mohamed S. El-Genk, Director of the Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies.

Questions concerning the forum can be directed to ISNPS-UNM at isnps@unm.edu or http://www-chne.unm.edu/isnps or by calling at (505) 277-0446.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981