** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

CONTACT: Anne Pierce (202) 543-1900 x 83

National Space Society Embraces Space in National Politics and International Policy Development
Space Day 2000

Washington DC, May 4 -The National Space Society urges everyone to take a moment on Space Day to think about the impact of national political decisions on space exploration and development. For those interested in space policy development on the national scene, the Society's Campaign 2000 web site (http://www.nss.org/camp2000/home.html) gives examples of the positions of candidates for national office. Space is used to stimulate education, the economy, and provides the opportunity for partnerships where one nation could not bear all the costs or risks of exploration.

Later this month NSS members will be meeting in Tucson at our 19th International Space Development Conference. Tucson serves as home to several observatories and the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Arizona is also home to Hugh Downs, Chair of the NSS Board of Governors, who will be attending the Awards Dinner.

NSS has been a partner in the National Space Day activities sponsored by Lockheed Martin over the last four years. Space Day is intended to advance science, math, and technology education, and to inspire youngsters to follow in the footsteps of our space pioneers. In preparation for Space Day, students across the continent are participating in the National Classroom, a unique online learning initiative launched on the official Web site for Space Day 2000, http://www.spaceday.com. Using this virtual classroom, students in grades 4, 5, 6 are tackling three Design Challenges associated with Living and Working in Space. "Stellar" solutions will be showcased on the web site and on Cyber Space Day, a live three-hour interactive Webcast. Learn more about how you can participate in the activities of the National Space Society every day of the year on the NSS World Wide Website at http://www.nss.org.

The National Space Society is a pro-space advocacy organization whose 20,000 members worldwide are working to create a spacefaring civilization. To learn more about NSS and its programs, call 202-543-1900 or go to http://www.nss.org