Nobel Laureate Dr. Riccardo Giacconi Headlines 40th Space Congress Science Session; Astronomer Showcases Breakthrough Discoveries Of NASA's Great Observatories.

Business Editors/Science Writers

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2003

The 40th Space Congress will kick off Monday, April 28, 2003, at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral with the first day dedicated to space science. Dr. Riccardo Giacconi, Nobel Laureate and Research Professor with Johns Hopkins University, will open the day with a discussion on the many breakthrough discoveries of NASA's observatories, including the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, Hubble and Chandra. "The great Observatories of NASA have been at the forefront of astrophysical research in the last decade. From their combined results, a new and deeper understanding of the universe has emerged. They have changed every field of astronomy." Giacconi, principal investigator for the ultra-deep survey with Chandra, has already obtained one of the deepest X-ray exposures to date with a million-second observation, and is participating in the follow-up optical work in this field.

An astronomer with a long history and expertise in deep surveys, Giacconi was the principal investigator of the program which discovered the first X-ray stars and the X-ray background in the 1960s and conceived of and led the implementation of the Uhuru and Einstein X-ray Observatories in the 1970s. An expert in the analysis and interpretation of astronomical data, he has authored books on X-ray astronomy as well as over 200 articles on astrophysical topics. He shared a prestigious Wolf Prize in Physics for his pioneering research in X-ray astrophysics and in 2002, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, which have led to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources.

"We are honored to have such a distinguished panel of scientists for Space Congress this year," said Kevin Hoshstrasser, Chairman of the 40th Space Congress. "Dr. Giacconi's 40+ years of experience offers a wealth of information for the attendees and brings to life the evolution of many of the current observatory programs and the benefits derived from them."

Panel and Paper sessions at the 40th Space Congress will emphasize this year's theme "Linking the Past to the Future: A Celebration of Space" and will focus on the space program's scientific achievements that have lead to upcoming MARS and (SIRTF) missions. The forum also examines other space program issues such as life in space, research, transportation, and the International Space Station.

The event includes exhibits, a student science fair, black-tie Gala, and evening with the Astronauts. All events are open to the public. To register, visit http://www.spacecongress.org or call 321/452-3068.

About Space Congress

The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies (CCTS) created Space Congress in 1962 to give space professionals a forum to meet and share their knowledge of technical areas and issues facing the space program. Space Congress is organized in cooperation with NASA, the Department of Defense, industry and academia. CCTS uses Space Congress proceeds to present annual achievement and technical awards, conduct an annual Career Night to expose local students to scientific, engineering and related careers, and to sponsor or support many local educational programs offered by schools and groups in the Space Coast area. For more information visit http://www.spacecongress.org or call 321/868-1623.