Plenary Sessions

The scientific interest and the orbital proximity of Mars have captured the world's attention and imagination. As a result, a number of recent space missions to the "red" planet have taken place, and more are planned in the coming years. As such, this session addresses the unique operations challenges of both the Mars surface and the orbiting exploration vehicles. Invited speakers from the US, Europe and Japan will present results from MARS Rover Spirit and Opportunity Missions, MARS Express and Nozomi.

Introductory Remarks
Andy Dowen, NASA/JPL

Plenary Chair
Lt. General Tattini
Deputy Director of JPL, NASA

Operational Challenges and Solutions for a Small Planetary Lander
Mark Sims, University of Leicester

Mars Express Challenges and Achievements
Mike Mckay, ESA

JAXA: NOZOMI Exploration Operations Challenges
Prof. Ichiro Nakatani, JAXA

Spirit and Opportunity on Mars
Pete Theisinger, NASA/JPL

Wireless Phones for Martian Geologists: How the Mars Exploration Rovers Benefited from an Orbiting Mars Relay Network
Chad Edwards, NASA/JPL

The Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Steven Squyres, Cornell University

Space as a domain is increasingly attaining practical and strategic importance in the economic interests of nations as well as contributing to the quality of life in general for humankind. As space operations become a global enterprise the challenge is to find practical and innovative solutions and to foster the spirit of sharing and cooperation. This session focuses on the technical and programmatic issues pertaining to space operations in general and operations of satellites in particular.

Introductory Remarks
Dr. Shabeer Ahmed
Director of DFL, CSA

Government/Industry Partnerships: The Promise and The Pain
Rich Schell, Lockheed Martin

EUMETSAT's GEO and LEO Experiences
Sean Burns, EUMETSAT

Experiences and Challenges of the CNES Space Operations
Geneviève Campan, CNES

NASA Space Operations: Fulfilling Mission Needs over the next Two Decades
John Rogers, NASA

Present Day Challenges of Satellite Operators
Roger Tinley, Telesat Canada

The International Space Station (ISS) Program is the largest global undertaking to date related to space exploration and exploitation. The program is being followed with great interest around the world, especially for the promise it potentially holds for the future development of humankind. The coordination and operation of this international endeavour has its own unique challenges. The measures taken or planned to operate the ISS by its partners (USA, Japan, Europe, Russia, and Canada) will be shared in this session.

Introductory Remarks
Benoît Marcotte
Director of Operations Engineering, CSA

International Space Station
Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA

Technical and Logistics Challenges for International Space Station Operations Tactical Timeframe – NASA Perspective
Susan Creasy, NASA

Technical & Logistical Challenges of ISS Operations from a Canadian Perspective
Chris Lorenz, CSA

The European Automated Transfer Vehicle Operations
Lionel Baize, ESA

Columbus Operations Challenges
Joachim Kehr, CNES

Operations of Japanese Elements of ISS
Chikara Harada, JAXA

Ground System Technology Challenges in the ISS program
Mike Kearney, NASA/MSFC

Question Period

Closing Remarks