Date posted: 04/03/2009*

Jon Jones, Raytheon vice president and president of Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), spoke on the topic of "The Next Space Age" at a panel discussion at the 2009 National Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Jones began his remarks by reviewing the past 40 years, including the late 1960s, when the industry was at its peak and Americans first became space advocates. "It is important that we remember where we came from so we can not only truly understand how we arrived at where we are today, but so that we can also benefit from the wisdom gained over that period of time," said Jones.

One of the great challenges the space industry currently faces, according to Jones, is engaging the nation, and especially our young people, in the space mission. To that end Raytheon is involved in numerous activities promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to secure future engineers and scientists in the field. "We have to recapture the hearts and minds of young engineers," said Jones. "We need to have more of our nation's brightest selecting careers in math and science, and yes, in space."

Jones emphasized the importance of allowing innovation to have equal value with discipline. "Mark my words. The future of this industry will only come through technological breakthroughs and those breakthroughs are likely to come from nontraditional places," he said. "And those nontraditional places will be successful because they are the ones that will foster, reward and drive innovation."

Jones left the audience with a final message on the importance of pulling together as a nation behind the space program. "A strong partnership between government and industry will assure the success of critical space missions in the future, and it will secure our country's preeminent capability in space."

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