CNES Director General Confirms Role at International Space Symposium

Toulouse, France (August 30, 2002) – The International Space Symposium will launch its plenary sessions Wednesday, September 11 with a keynote address from Gérard Brachet, director general of the French Space Agency (CNES), according to conference officials.

The Space Foundation conducts the International Space Symposium, scheduled September 10-13 in Toulouse, in association with Space News and more than 30 participating agencies and supporting organizations. CNES is the host national space agency.

Prior to being elected director general in 1997, Brachet served as CNES director of scientific research and director of industrial programmes and policy.  Earlier, he was chairman and managing director of Spot Image and advisor to the European Commission for Space Research. 

Brachet earned an engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Aéronautique and a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Washington.

For more information on the International Space Symposium, including a comprehensive speaker list, program agenda, registration, sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, visit www.spacesymposium.org , or call (US) 719-576-8000.