Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley will address the 25th National Space Symposium on its closing day, April 2, 2009. In keeping with the symposium's theme, The Next Space Age, he will discuss the current state and future outlook of U.S. Air Force space programs and their implications for the global space community.

The premier annual gathering of the global space community, the 25th National Space Symposium brings together all sectors of space — civil, commercial, national security, new space entrepreneurship, and finance — to highlight accomplishments and address opportunities and issues facing the space community today. A program of the Space Foundation, the symposium will take place March 30 — April 2 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Donley has more than 26 years of experience in the national security community, including service in the Senate, White House and the Pentagon. During his career he has been involved in strategy and policymaking at the highest levels and is a recognized expert in national security organization, planning and budgeting. He was sworn in as secretary of the Air Force on Oct. 17, 2008, and is responsible for organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 300,000 men and women on active Air Force duty, 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 160,000 civilians, and their families. He also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of approximately $110 billion.