A Tribute to Space Exploration Honors Astronauts at ASME Keynote Event.

Recognizing the contributions of engineering to space travel while commemorating the historic first steps on the moon - and looking beyond, ASME celebrates Space Exploration - Commemorating the Past, Envisioning the Future, the theme of this year's keynote event at the ASME International Congress and Exposition in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Nov. 13-19.

Ken Mattingly, veteran Apollo and space shuttle astronaut, and one of the real-life heroes of the movie Apollo 13, will deliver the keynote address, Nov. 15, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Mattingly will share the true story behind one of the most inspiring examples of crisis management in recent history - the plight of Apollo 13.

Rear Admiral Mattingly (USN Ret.), an accomplished aerospace industry executive, joined NASA's Apollo program in 1966. Named command module pilot of Apollo 13, Mattingly was pulled from the flight just 72-hours prior to launch for medical reasons, but was instrumental is providing vital ground support that helped bring the Apollo 13 crew back to earth once their mission to the moon went terribly awry.

In addition to serving on the support crews of Apollo 8 (the first lunar orbit) and Apollo 11 (the first lunar landing), he served as the command module pilot of Apollo 16, and was a key member of the fledging space shuttle program.

The ASME keynote event will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The Society is scheduled to present the prestigious ASME President's Award to former astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

Established in 1998, the President's Award provides an opportunity for the Society's Office of the President to present special recognition to prominent individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to the engineering profession. ASME President Amos E. Holt, Ph.D., and Immediate Past President Thomas M. Barlow will make the presentations to the Apollo 11 astronauts.

Representing the future of space exploration, ASME has invited Danny Olivas, Ph.D., an ASME member and veteran astronaut of two space shuttle flights, to greet the hundreds of engineers expected to attend the event. Olivas, a mechanical engineer and ASME member since 1991, performed three space walks outside the International Space Station during his recent flight on Discovery (STS-128). Selected by NASA in 1998, Olivas was assigned to his first shuttle flight, in June 2007, as a member of the crew of the Atlantis (STS-117).

The keynote event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Northern Hemisphere Ballroom of the Dolphin Hotel.

In addition to the event, the 2009 ASME Congress will include presentations on the latest in engineering innovation. Experts will speak on advances in aerospace technology, transportation systems, bioengineering, energy sustainability, emerging technologies and the environment, among other topics.

ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.

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Source Citation
"A Tribute to Space Exploration Honors Astronauts at ASME Keynote Event." Professional Services Close-Up 29 Oct. 2009. Business Economics and Theory. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. .

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