Society News

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has commenced the final countdown for what promises to be its biggest and best yet Space Tourism Conference, to be held in London on 19 June.

Entitled ‘Open for Business’ in recognition of industry developments, the conference brings together space companies, venture capitalists, industrial partners, lawyers, tourism agencies and safety, regulatory and insurance experts.
Space tourism is now big business and the conference will be an essential event for those looking for the latest news and developments, or aiming to profit from the evolution of space travel to a global mass market.

Alongside presentations from major industry players such as XCOR Aerospace, Excalibur Almaz Limited (EAL), Space Adventures and Virgin Galactic, the conference is also being supported by an educational programme for schools on the history and use of space suits, whilst EAL’s Russian-built Reusable Return Vehicle spacecraft will be on public display at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Parliament Square.

Philip Davies, RAeS Space Group Chairman, commented: “The commercialisation of space is well underway with new investors entering the sector every few weeks. Space tourism is the glamorous part of the business with a passenger manifest that reads like a Hollywood A-list. This third RAeS conference will provide a status check on the main players before regular operations begin next year.”

“This week’s successful launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, delivering a Dragon cargo capsule into orbit for the International Space Station, demonstrates that commercial space launch has well and truly arrived.”

The Third European Space Tourism Conference: Open for Business will take place at the RAeS headquarters, No.4 Hamilton Place, Mayfair, London W1J 7BQ on Tuesday 19 June 2012. A full conference programme and online delegate registration is available on the RAeS website at: http://aerosociety.com/spacetourism

Notes to Editors

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the world’s only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community. Established in 1866 to further the art, science and engineering of aeronautics, the Society has been at the forefront of aerospace ever since. The Society promotes the highest professional standards in all aerospace disciplines; provides specialist information; acts as a central forum for the exchange of ideas; and plays a leading role in influencing opinion on aerospace matters. For further information, visit the RAeS website at: www.aerosociety.com

A limited number of media delegates can be accommodated at the conference. To register for a press pass, or for any other media enquiries, please contact:

Vicky White
Conference and Events Organiser
Royal Aeronautical Society
No.4 Hamilton Place
London W1J 7BQ
UK
Tel:  +44 (0)20 7670 4343
Fax: +44 (0)20 7670 4309
Email: victoria.white@aerosociety.com