FY 2013 Report on NASA Sponsored Large Conferences 

January 2014 
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FY 2013 Report on NASA Sponsored Large Conferences 

Overview: In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum 

M-12-12, Section 2 – Conferences, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

is providing this report on conferences. This report provides a summary of conference activities 

by NASA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. It includes a brief overview of some of the value roles that 

conferences play, such as in key dissemination and exchange of cutting edge scientific and 

technological knowledge. 

The Space Act of 1958 requires NASA to “provide for the widest practicable and appropriate 

dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof.” Conferences 

provide an important vehicle for accomplishing this mandate. NASA scientists, engineers, and 

leaders present scientific and technical papers and participate in interchanges on leading-edge 

research and technology with peers in the Federal Government, academia, the science 

community, the aeronautics and aerospace industries, and international partners at conferences. 

NASA attended and sponsored conferences address a broad and diverse range of scientific and 

engineering challenges faced in carrying out its missions, including Earth science research, 

advanced aeronautics, and the cutting-edge technologies needed for both current and planned 

robotic and human space flight programs. 

In addition to facilitating the dissemination and advancement of scientific research, conferences 

also serve as a cost-effective way for NASA to carry out other mission-related purposes, such as 

educational outreach and program development, planning, and information gathering. For 

example, conferences on program management provide opportunities for examination of current 

trends in aerospace project and engineering management; offering forums for the exchange and 

dissemination of best practices, new ideas, and training for managers across NASA to help the 

Agency cost-effectively meet the toughest challenges in space exploration today. 

FY 2013 Conferences: Net conference expenses for the 2013 fiscal year, for conferences held 

by NASA and which cost the Agency more than $20,000 and all conference events costing the 

Agency more than $100,000, totaled just over $7 million. NASA participated in 23 large 

conferences in FY 2013 for which it spent more than $100,000. Detailed information on the 

events approved under the justification and approval process under OMB M-12-12 follows. 

Changes in FY 2013: FY 2013 saw numerous changes in the conference review and approval 

process. NASA already required NASA sponsored conferences greater than $20,000 to be 

centrally reviewed and approved by the Agency Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and those over 

$100,000 by NASA’s Deputy Administrator. Midway through the fiscal year, the 

congressionally mandated sequester was implemented, resulting in NASA establishing additional 

reviews and senior level approvals for all conferences rather than just those over the thresholds 

mentioned above. 
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

63rd International 

Astronautical 

Congress (IAC) Naples, IT 10/1/2012 10/5/2012 $242,009.13 50

Web site Link: http://www.iafastro.com/index.php/events/iac/iac-2012

Purpose: The 63rd International Astronautical Congress, themed “Space science and 

technology for the needs of all,” took place in Naples, Italy between October 1, 2012 and 

October 5, 2012. There were 3,300 attendees in total, 160 technical sessions, 8 plenary events, 

3 highlight lectures and 3 late breaking news, appearances by the second man on the Moon 

Buzz Aldrin and first Chinese woman in space Liu Yang.

Conference Location Start Date End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

Supercomputing 2012

Salt Lake 

City, UT 11/10/2012 11/16/2012 $266,065.00 65

Web site Link: http://sc12.supercomputing.org/

Purpose: Spotlighting the most advanced scientific and technical applications in the world, 

the supercomputing conference brought together the international supercomputing community 

for an exceptional program of technical papers, tutorials and timely research posters. The 

Exhibition Hall featured exhibits of the latest technologies from industry, academia, and 

Government research organizations.

Conference Location Start Date End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

NASA Technology 

Days

Cleveland, 

OH

11/28/2012 11/30/2012 $216,425.00 12

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/nasatechdays/

Purpose: NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist Technology Days was an open event that 

brought together a broad community of stakeholders from industry, academia, and U.S. Federal 

Government to engage in discussions related to strategy building, development, partnerships 

and implementation of the renewed focus on innovation and technology through the creation of 

new products and services, businesses and industry, and high-quality, highly-skilled jobs. 
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Conference Location Start Date End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

American Society of 

Gravitational and 

Space Research 

(ASGSR) 2012 

Annual Conference

New 

Orleans, LA 11/28/2012 12/2/2012 $239,240.00 90

Web site Link: https://www.asgsr.org/ 

Purpose: ASGSR brought together a diverse group of scientists and engineers to encourage an 

exchange of ideas bridging basic and applied biological and physical science research and 

technology in space and gravitational sciences. The members represented academia, 

Government, and industry interests bonded by a common issue - how living organisms and 

physical systems respond to gravity.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

American Geophysical 

Union Fall Meeting

San 

Francisco, 

CA 12/3/2012 12/7/2012 $833,979.18 303

Web site Link: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2012/

Purpose: More than 22,000 Earth and space scientists, educators, students, and other leaders 

gathered in San Francisco, California, presented groundbreaking research and connected with 

colleagues.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

Joint Army Navy 

NASA Air Force 

(JANNAF) 2013 

Interagency 

Propulsion Conference

Monterey, 

CA 12/3/2012 12/7/2012 $109,312.69 39

Web site Link: http://www.jannaf.org/

Purpose: The JANNAF Interagency Propulsion Committee coordinates fundamental research, 

exploratory development, and advanced development programs; standardizes procedures for 

nomenclature; promotes and facilitates the exchange of technical information; and 

accomplishes problem solving in the areas of joint agency Interest on propulsion systems for 

missiles, rockets, boosters, spacecraft, satellites, and guns. JANNAF subcommittees focused

their resources on technical issues of interest to the JANNAF agencies.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

221st Meeting of the 

American 

Astronomical Society 

(AAS)

Long 

Beach, CA 1/6/2013 1/10/2013 $209,139.74 78

Web site Link: http://aas.org/meetings/aas-221st-meeting-long-beach-ca

Purpose: Presentation of scientific papers at AAS was critical to realizing the benefits that 

NASA scientists accomplish. NASA projects interact and communicate with their user 

communities through town hall meetings, splinter session, and operating booths during the 

conference.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

American 

Meteorological 

Society (AMS) Annual 

Meeting Austin, TX 1/6/2013 1/10/2013 $115,927.74 59

Web site Link: http://annual.ametsoc.org/2013/

Purpose: The AMS meeting brought together the Earth science researchers, academia, 

industry and operational communities to focus the application of many science disciplines and 

applications to advance predictive capabilities for weather and climate.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

The American 

Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronautics (AIAA) 

Aerospace Sciences 

Meeting

Grapevine, 

TX 1/7/2013 1/10/2013 $362,762.70 150

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa.org/asm2013/

Purpose: The interdisciplinary nature of aerospace engineering has contributed to tremendous 

research advances that have inspired new and novel industrial applications. Some of the 

innovative developments of aerospace technologies in recent times include new shock wave 

assisted applications in the realm of medicine, drug delivery systems, biotechnology, and 

manufacturing, space solar power systems, energy storage systems, fuels cells, use of 

supercomputers, development of trans disciplinary computational techniques, and cryogenic 

applications.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

Human Research 

Program (HRP) 

Investigators 

Workshop

Galveston, 

TX 2/12/2013 2/14/2013 $191,655.00 49

Web site Link: http://www.hrpiws2013.com/

Purpose: The HRP Investigators workshop provided an informal, collegial atmosphere for 

cross-disciplinary action between HRP grantees, management and stakeholders in the field of 

human spaceflight research. The meeting included presentations and poster sessions, tutorials 

and panel discussions that addressed research progress, opportunities, processes, resources, and 

strategies to optimize the human research program.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

Institute of 

Electrical and 

Electronics 

Engineers (IEEE) 

Aerospace 

Conference

Big Sky, 

MT 3/2/2013 3/9/2013 $183,653.69 45

Web site Link:

http://www.ieee.org/conferences_events/conferences/conferencedetails/index.html?Conf_ID=2

0459

Purpose: The IEEE Aerospace Conference was organized to promote interdisciplinary 

understanding of aerospace systems, their underlying science and technology, and their 

applications to Government and commercial endeavors. The annual, weeklong conference set 

in a stimulating and thought -provoking environment, was designed for aerospace experts, 

academics, military personnel, and industry leaders.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

44th Lunar and 

Planetary Science 

Conference 

Woodlands, 

TX 3/18/2013 3/22/2013 $296,687.27 51

Web site Link: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/

Purpose: This conference brought together international specialists in petrology, geochemistry, 

geophysics, geology, and astronomy to present the latest results of research in planetary science.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

American 

Astronomical Society 

(AAS) High Energy 

Astrophysics Division 

(HEAD) 13th 

Divisional Meeting, 

2013

Monterey, 

CA 4/7/2013 4/11/2013 $119,141.85 47

Web site Link: http://aas.org/meetings/head-13th-meeting-monterey-ca

Purpose: This major conference was the annual scientific meeting of the HEAD of the AAS. 

This conference, which typically attracts on the order of 400 or more participants, included 

presentations and discussions of results from NASA high-energy astrophysics missions, and 

enables scientists to exchange ideas on the use of NASA produced data and on new scientific 

investigations.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

The American Institute 

of Aeronautics and 

Astronauts (AIAA) 

Structures, Structural 

Dynamics and Materials 

Conference

Boston, 

MA 4/8/2013 4/11/2013 $113,241.65 42

Web site Link: http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/MSDM13

Purpose: This conference was sponsored by five technical societies and was attended by 800 

experts on structures and materials research and technologies that cut across aerospace, 

aeronautics, space technology, science experiments, education, policy, programs, and 

management.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

NASA Annual 

Occupational Health 

(OH) Meeting

Kennedy 

Space 

Center, FL

4/16/2013 4/18/2013 $114,590.00 54

Web site Link: None

Purpose: OH staff from all NASA Centers convened at this annual internal occupational health 

meeting (held for 30 plus years) to learn of proposed/new regulations impacting OH, best 

practices, new industry techniques/methods for conducting activities, and to obtain the latest 

training related to their respective OH discipline (occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, 

health physics, employee assistance, Federal workers’ compensation, health promotion/fitness).
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

2013 American 

Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronauts (AIAA) 

Fluid Dynamics and 

Co-Located

Conferences and 

Exhibit

San Diego, 

CA 6/24/2013 6/27/2013 $239,908.50 96

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa.org/fluids2013/

Purpose: The AIAA Summer Fluids Conferences was held to provide a forum for technical 

exchange and interaction among scientists, engineers, and professionals from industrial, 

governmental, and academic technical communities who participate in scientific research and 

development in the aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics disciplines. Joint sessions 

provided conference attendees with an opportunity to interact with unique groups of 

professionals from diverse yet interrelated technical disciplines.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

43rd International 

Conference on 

Environmental 

Systems (ICES) Vail, CO 7/14/2013 7/18/2013 $144,766.34 55

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa.org/ices2013/

Purpose: The 43rd ICES covered all topics related to humans living and working in hostile 

environments with applications inside or outside of terrestrial or outer space habitats or 

vehicles, including aerospace human factors; environmental control and life-support system 

technology; environmental monitoring and controls; planetary protection; EVA system 

technology; life sciences; planetary habitats and systems; and thermal control systems 

technology for both manned and unmanned vehicles.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

The American 

Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronauts (AIAA) 

Aviation 2013

Los 

Angeles, 

CA 8/12/2013 8/14/2013 $143,506.18 51

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/aviation2013/

Purpose: AIAA AVIATION 2013 was a premier, forward-looking forum designed to 

showcase recent innovations and achievements in aviation, highlight new initiatives and plans, 

and address key issues that need to be resolved in order to define clear roadmaps for future 

progress. Seven general sessions focused on Commercial Aviation: Global Outlook, 

Opportunities, and Challenges; Military Aviation: Future Challenges Facing Military Aviation; 

Business Aviation, General Aviation, and Rotorcraft: Global Outlook, Opportunities, and 

Challenges; The Connectivity Challenge: Protecting Critical Assets in a Networked World; The 

Energy Imperative; Developing the Market for Unmanned Aerial Systems; and Shaping the 

Discussion: Key Policy Issues.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

The American 

Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronauts (AIAA) 

Guidance Navigation 

and Control Boston, MA 8/19/2013 8/22/2013 $238,776.57 94

Web site Link: https://www.aiaa.org/boston2013/

Purpose: The AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, AIAA Atmospheric 

Flight Mechanics Conference, AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference, and 

AIAA Infotech@Aerospace Conference combined in Boston to provide the world’s premier 

forum for presentation and discussion of science, research, and technology in these highly 

related aerospace fields. It brought together experts from industry, government, and academia 

on an international level to cover a broad spectrum of issues concerning flight mechanics, 

modeling, simulation, information systems, and the guidance, navigation, and control of 

aerospace vehicles.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

International Society 

for Optics and 

Photonics (SPIE) 

Conference

San Diego, 

CA 8/25/2013 8/29/2013 $126,219.00 62

Web site Link: http://spie.org/x103812.xml

Purpose: The annual SPIE meeting on Optics and Photonics was attended by a wide range of 

people from academia, industry, Federal labs and other Government agencies. Subjects covered 

include Optomechanics and optical manufacturing, optical design and systems engineering, 

photonic devices and applications, x-ray, gamma-ray and particle technologies, signal image 

and data processing, and astronomical optics and instrumentation.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

2013 NASA Cost 

Symposium

Pasadena, 

CA 8/27/2013 8/29/2013 $112,974.25 56

Web site Link: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ooe/Symposium.html

Purpose: The Cost Analysis Division sponsored the annual NASA Cost Symposium that 

brought together the entire estimating and analysis community at NASA. The NASA cost 

analysis community included all Centers, as well as Headquarters and represents an essential

function to the Agency. The NASA Cost Symposium advanced NASA’s core mission by 

providing a professional forum for agency analysts to present and learn results of cost research, 

and participate in training sessions on methods and tools to support important agency initiatives,

such as conducting Joint Confidence Level (JCL) analyses.

Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

The American 

Institute of 

Aeronautics and 

Astronauts (AIAA) 

Space 2013

San Diego, 

CA 9/10/2013 9/12/2013 $231,871.50 105

Web site Link: http://www.aiaa.org/space2013/

Purpose: The theme of “Sparking Ingenuity and Collaboration to Enable Mission Success” 

was explored through frank and forward-looking discussions designed to review the current 

achievements in space and highlight new initiatives and plans, while surfacing the key issues 

and challenges that needed to be addressed in order to define clear roadmaps for future progress. 

The event provided the leaders from Government, industry, and academia an opportunity to 

share ideas on how to focus the great talent and resources of the space community on the future.
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Conference Location Start 

Date

End Date Total Cost NASA Paid 

Attendees

64th International 

Astronautical 

Congress (IAC) Beijing, CN 9/23/2013 9/27/2013 $185,104.00 37

Web site Link: http://www.iac2013.org/dct/page/1

Purpose: The IAC was the one place and time of the year when all space actors came together. 

Global, multidisciplinary and covering all space sectors and topics, it offered everyone the latest 

space information, developments and contacts and potential partnerships. Each year, the IAC 

changes country, theme and local organizer, enabling all to learn more about, and be a part of 

the world space scene.