Wow, an outer space conference.

I've gotten a few e-mails lately about a meeting coming up in Dubai called World Space Conference 2010, which sounds, well, cool. And it's taking place in Dubai—which advertises on the Space Risk Forum Web site that it's 75 degrees there, and sunny.

Think about it, a whole conference devoted to outer space. It's “2001, A Space Odyssey,” “Star Wars,” “ET” and “Wall-E” combined!

I went to the Web site to check out the conference program—one can dream.

The three-day program opens up with registration, followed by brunch, a welcoming coffee and an introduction speech. Next is the keynote speaker, Ramin Khadem, Ph.D., chairman of the board of the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France, and chairman of Odyssey Moon. Odyssey Moon, I read on the company's Web site, was formed to “capitalize on commercial opportunities created by renewed interests in exploring the Moon.”

The organization said it is developing a “commercial lunar robotic transportation service to meet the pent up and growing demand for low cost, frequent access to the Moon supporting science, exploration and commerce.” So that should be an interesting talk.

After that is a two-part panel discussion on technical developments in the space industry, and later a cocktail reception. Nice.

Reading about the Tuesday morning program, however, reality began to set in with a panel discussion on the impact of the economy on the space industry. Even more so with the afternoon agenda, consisting of a panel discussion on the legal and regulatory environment within the space industry. They are to discuss whether the “space insurance product” does what it is supposed to do; improving the flow of underwriting information; claims handling; and future space insurance policy needs.

On Wednesday a panel is to focus on various topics, including satellite servicing, future satellite applications and private commercial space flight.

So there you have it.

While in reality the conference seems a little, well, mundane, I'm reminding myself that this is the case with any industry, space included. There are risk management, safety and training issues, liability issues, and insurance coverage and claims issues.

And while the movies may seem a lot more intriguing when it comes to outer space, the truth is, who wants to see a movie about whether or not an insurance policy will cover the crash of the starship “Enterprise”? While some of us might find this interesting, most would not.

So perhaps my expectations for a space conference were a little too high. After all, we're not talking about a Star Trek convention here—it's a conference dealing with a highly regulated industry. And like every other industry it is impacted by the economic recession—although the Dubai location speaks “up-and-coming industry with means” loud and clear.

And hey, at least the weather is nice in Dubai. Come to think of it, I wonder what the weather is like on the moon right now.

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