NASA CoLAB -  A conference of emerging global leaders is meeting to design the future of space exploration. This NASA sponsored conference is running February 12-15 in real life at the Ames Research Center in California and in Second Life at http://slurl.com/secondlife/NASA%20CoLab/157/45/63

This is the second Next Generation Conference sponsored by NASA. The first, which took place in April of 2006, asked for input of scientists, engineers and professionals on the first 20 years of lunar exploration. This conference, the Next Generation Exploration Conference-2, will direct its energies toward “Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Lunar Development.”

Live video from the conference is being broadcast in the NASA CoLab sim. A schedule of events is located at http://www.nasacolab.org/schedule/394#schedule-3

Wednesday evening offers an interesting live musical experience. Cypress Rosewood will be performing “Saturn” as part of the Space Series at the SpinDome VRR Planetary Theatre, February 13 at 7 PM SLT (

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Spindrift/164/128/28 ) Rosewood (Tony Gerber in real life) has scored music for the films “Vanilla Sky” starring Tom Cruise and “Nine Planets and Counting.” The “Saturn” performance will contain synthesizers, Native American flute, guitars and more.

Thursday begins with the video feed of a visit from Buzz Aldrin to the Ames Research Center. Breakout sessions will be held on market analysis and time-phasing analysis along with sessions to enable lunar entrepreneurs. Taber MacCallum, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Paragon Space Development Corporation, will be delivering the lunch plenary. Paragon is a leading developer of thermal control and life support in extreme environments under water and in space.

Friday’s schedule brings the wrap of the small groups with a compilation of proceedings. The opening speaker will be Dr. Robert Richards from Odyssey Moon Limited, a private commercial lunar business dedicated to long term responsible development of the Moon.

The closing keynote address will be given by Doug Comstock, Director of Innovative Partnerships Program Office in the NASA headquarters.

The goal of the NASA CoLab project is creating the cultural and technical infrastructure for more meaningful public participation in the space program. This is done by creating participatory communities for NASA and using virtual worlds like SL to develop, organize and publicize space-related projects.