International Academy of Astronautics Space Exploration Heads of Agency Symposium

Lunar Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI) and the IAA Space Exploration Conference
Hi, this is David Allison, I’ll be doing occasional updates. 

One of the events Michael Laine attended to look for more experts and adviser for the Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI) is the IAA Space Exploration Conference. This space exploration conference is one of the ways space agencies around the world come together to develop partnerships. This is why Michael attended; “...to develop partnerships for this project.”

The IAA  ( International Academy of Astronautics ) Space Exploration Conference is a two day symposium; which is a “Heads of Agency” event. Held in Washington D. C..

Heads of Agency Summit on Exploration is exactly that: The leaders of thirty-two national space agencies from around the world, along with the vanguard of the space exploration community were in attendance starting January 9 2014 from the current space faring nations. 

On the stage a rare event of thirty-two flags were represented from familiar national space programs' such as the European Space Agency, Japan’s JAXA, India’s ISRO, as well as newcomers South Africa, Mexico, and Australia. 

One of the striking terms that stood out to Michael, and everyone else at the IAA Space Exploration Conference is that all thirty-two nations were represented by men at this symposium. Everyone discussed the very evident need for women to get more involved in astrophysics and space exploration as well as becoming part of the leadership in these agencies worldwide. 

So, as a result, the composition in terms of demographics all being men brought about a dialog in which everyone discussed how to go about changing this. The fact that the industry needs more women in leadership roles was a concern for everyone there. 

The one of the key speakers' and the one that stood out to Michael, was director of the CCE (Comision Colombiana del Espacio) Colombian Space Commission Angelino Garzón.  He spoke during Session 5 : Space Exploration: The Imperative of Global Cooperation.

He ( Vice President Angelino Garzón ) said that there is a great divide between the the “...have, and have not nations...” with regard to developing space. The phrase that stood out was: 

“The major space countries can't always be the jockeys' and the developing space countries can't always be the horse.” 

By this he meant that running space programs can't always be led by the long time well established space agencies, leaving the scraps and minor aspects to newly established programs'. Rather there has to be the ability to take turns taking the leadership reins. Developed space agencies should not bully the developing agencies, but partner with them. 

And this is what Michael was doing there —developing partnerships' around the world for LiftPort’s Lunar Space Elevator Infrastructure (LSEI).

These are the places, Heads of Agency symposiums like the IAA International Academy of Astronautics Space Exploration Conference, where Michael goes fishing for leadership among, the three hundred or so, women and men attending. I can't go into detail about these partnerships, just yet, but, I will say this: It's exciting.