The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), Women in Aerospace (WIA), the Space Enterprise Council (SEC) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will be hosting the first of a two-part discussion on the lessons learned following the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. The discussion will examine the role of Earth observation satellites in disaster relief should such an event occur in the future, as well as other areas that could benefit from Earth observation satellites.

Speaking at the discussion is John Kelly, Jr., retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and deputy undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with an introduction by Bob Walker, former chairman of the House Science Committee. The discussion will take place in room 2325 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 19. The event access fee is $5 for members of SSPI, WIA, SEC or AIAA and $10 for individuals who are not members of any of the hosting organizations. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you are planning on attending, as it is a required.