NASA Symposium

When: Sept. 26-29, 2004

Where: Monterey, California

Goal: To engage in an open discussion about the issue of risk – identifying it, mitigating it, accepting it – all in the course of exploration

"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone.
Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking."

Challenge fosters excellence, often drawing on previously untapped skills and abilities. Each of us takes and accepts risk as a part of our daily existence. We often go out of our way to seek challenge.

However, seeking challenge often means accepting a high level of risk. The dictionary defines risk as being exposed to hazard or danger. To accept risk is to accept possible loss or injury, even death

One of the key issues that continue to be debated in the tragedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia is the level of risk NASA accepted. And ultimately, the entire nation is now engaged in a broader debate over whether or not the exploration of space is worth the risk of human life.

While risk can often be reduced or controlled, there comes a point when the removal of risk is either impossible or so impractical that it completely undermines the very nature of what NASA was created to do – to pioneer the future.

Everyone today understands that human space exploration is a risky endeavor. However, the quest for discovery and knowledge and the risks involved in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles is not unique to NASA.

Whether it's exploring the depths of our oceans or reaching the top of our highest mountains, great feats usually involve great risk.

During this symposium, we want to examine the similarities between space exploration and other terrestrial expeditions and examine how society accepts risk.

For example, more than 40,000 Americans die each year in automobile accidents. A recent study of 22,000 fatal accidents showed that nearly two-thirds of the victims were not wearing seatbelts – a clear indication that too many of us fail to understand the risks when we get behind the wheel of a car and fail to buckle up.

Why are sacrifices made in the name of exploration more notable than the losses suffered in the course of everyday life?

What lessons can be learned by studying the history of exploration and risk? And why are so many people willing to risk their lives to advance adventure, discovery and science when often the benefits are unknown and indefinable?

We have assembled an invitation-only audience of participants for this important event comprised of NASA astronauts and leaders, as well as world renown mountain climbers, deep sea explorers, cave explorers, arctic and Antarctic researchers, scientists, communication experts and others.

These participants are involved, in a personal way, with risky endeavors, which serve to expand the frontiers of human knowledge beneath the sea, on the surface of Earth and in outer space.

We look forward to your participation in what we believe will be a spirited and highly beneficial public discussion of risk and exploration.

RSVP Contact: Joann Adamus (202) 358-1716
jadamus@mail.hq.nasa.gov

Program Contacts: Trish Pengra (202) 358-2261
trish.pengra@nasa.gov

Bob Jacobs (202) 358-1760
Bob.Jacobs@nasa.gov