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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Santa Maria, CA, United States, 10/02/2007 - NASA Deputy Administrator Shana L. Dale has confirmed her participation as a keynote speaker in the Transforming Space 2007 Conference in November.
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Her confirmation drew praise today from conference co-sponsors, the California Space Authority (CSA) and the California Space Education & Workforce Institute (CSEWI).
Dale, a pioneer for space, is the first woman to take the position of NASA Deputy Administrator and the highest-ranking woman at NASA in its history. Her presence at the conference signifies advances made by women in space enterprise and adds a significant voice for future lunar exploration.
“It is fitting to recognize Shana Dale at the upcoming Transforming Space 2007 Conference,” said CSA Executive Director Andrea Seastrand. “We are only a few days away from the 50th anniversary of Sputnik—the Russian satellite that sparked the space race in 1960s—a first, a ground-breaking event. Dale is also a first because she has pioneered opportunities for women at NASA and is a strong voice in support of space exploration.”
In October 2006, the National Space Society presented Dale the World Achievement Award in New York City noting her “pioneering spirit, vision and commitment to exploring the fascinating realm of space.” The Society noted Dale for being a “decisive leader,” and the American Astronautical Society reported her extensive experience in space-related issues to be “invaluable to NASA.”
“When you look at Dale you see a person who meets challenges head on,” added Seastrand. “She wants to see a new era in lunar exploration and colonization. She points to the future.”
Dale will make a keynote address at the Transforming Space 2007 conference on Thursday morning, November 8. Her address will be followed by a panel discussion on space exploration by the leaders of NASA’s three centers in California – the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA Ames Research Center, and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.
Dale currently serves as second in command at NASA and is responsible to the administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction. She represents NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of federal and other appropriate government agencies, international organizations, and external organizations and communities. Dale also oversees the day-to-day work of NASA’s functional offices, such as the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of General Counsel and Strategic Communications.
Before coming to NASA, Dale was deputy director for Homeland and National Security for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Executive Office of the President. She co-chaired the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Homeland and National Security and supervised work of the subcommittees.
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William.Simon[.]CaliforniaSpaceAuthority.org 
