President to Host Space Conference
Monday, March 8, 2010
By: Tom Parkinson

March 8, 2010 - President Obama plans to host a conference in Florida next month on his administration's approach to the next step in space exploration. The White House says Mr. Obama, top cabinet officials and leaders from the aerospace industry will discuss the future of U.S. efforts in human space flight at an April 15 conference in the Space Coast area. The space shuttle fleet is being retired this year, and the administration is dropping plans for a return to the moon. The White House says the president will unveil an "ambitious plan" for NASA at the conference next month. President Obama's budget backs private industry space exploration and developing new rocket technology. The venue for the president's space conference has not been announced.