Huntsville Space Professionals To Host Town Hall Meeting Sunday Night

From WHNT 19 News: Huntsville Space Professionals To Host Town Hall Meeting Sunday Night
HUNTSVILLE, AL—Space exploration could soar to new heights as NASA builds a heavy launch vehicle, in the absence of the space shuttle. The space agency is putting its faith in private companies to do some of the work in getting the Space Launch System off the ground.

Other companies are developing their own space vehicles. Leaders at companies such as Space X and Bigelow Aerospace will be in Huntsville on Sunday, giving local businesses an opportunity to participate in their unique projects.

Some of the greatest minds in commercial space exploration will brainstorm with local company leaders at the Huntsville Space Professionals Town Hall Meeting.

"Because money is tight, people are going to have to work together. So if you're going to have to work together, why not work together here?" asked Huntsville Space Professionals founder Andy Sutinen.

He says with Huntsville's tradition in space development, and its talented workforce, utilizing the Rocket City is a no-brainer.

"It makes sense to make this the new Silicon Valley of the new private, emerging commercial space companies," said Sutinen. "Have them come here. Meet the folks in Huntsville, and then Huntsville itself. Promote our talent to them."

Sutinen says NASA is planning to give about $600 million a year to private companies in order to develop space vehicles. He says this meeting is an opportunity for Huntsville companies to get in on some of that money.

Sutinen is encouraging local companies and the public to come to the town hall meeting, but he says there's limited seating, so everyone must register online first.

The meeting is Sunday, October 30 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. at the Davidson Center, which is at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, U.S. Space and Rocket Center CEO Deborah Barnhart and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Director Robert Lightfoot will be there.

To register for the event, click here: http://www.huntsvillespaceprofessionals.com/hsp-town-hall-meeting/