International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight (ISPCS) has opened registration for this year’s gathering of the leaders in new space industry development.

ISPCS has become the main annual conference of leaders in the space industry. It will take place Oct. 17-18 at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

ISPCS 2012 is themed “Commercial Spaceflight: The Demand – The Direction.” The event will feature 12 sessions, including key­note addresses from Roger Krone, president of network and space systems for The Boeing Company, and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver.

More than 450 of the “who’s who” in the commercial space industry will collaborate on key issues and trends to help grow the industry and increase demand for commercial spaceflight. Also, more than 30 noted speakers will speak on subjects such as:

• How suborbital flight experiences can optimize future orbital mission success

• NASA’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative and the impact of public-private partnerships on commercial space transportation

• Protecting supply and demand for commercial spaceflight through cyber solutions

Speakers and panelists confirmed include:

• Brig. Gen. Jim Jaeger (ret.), director of Commercial Cyber Systems, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems

• Dave Mackay, chief pilot for Virgin Galactic

• Maj. Gen. Robert Dickman (ret.), executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

“There is no event quite like ISPCS, where high-profile industry players explore complex topics before an intimate, captive audience eager to expand their knowledge and participate in vibrant dialogue,” said Patricia Hynes, chair of ISPCS and executive director of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium at New Mexico State University. “Over the years, we have built a close-knit community of thought leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, astronauts, space industry workers and more who make this event a top priority in their busy schedules.”

Registration opened this week with an early-bird registration savings of $200. General public registration at the early-bird fee of $699 through Sept. 14, then it will go up $100 until Oct. 12. The on-site registration fee is $899. There are discounts for active-duty military and students, as well as options for one-day passes. There also are spaces available for exhibitors.

Visit www.ispcs.com/registration.php to learn more or register.