Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion (ISBEP 3)
Troy, New York, October 11 - 14, 2004

Beamed Energy Propulsion (BEP) is an enabling technology that radically transforms the future of air and space transportation:  the vehicles are driven by power beamed from a remote, highly reusable source.  BEP technology exploits a variety of directed energy sources - laser, microwave and x-ray radiation or relativistic particles and multitude of propulsive mechanisms: shock waves, ablation, photon pressure, vaporization and desorption.   In spite of this plurality, BEP systems have one important feature in common:  they provide unique propulsive characteristics which would be impossible to achieve by means of traditional, combustion-based engines.  Vehicles driven by BEP will be smaller, lighter, faster, and more efficient than any currently existing means of transportation. 

The Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion (ISBEP 3) will carry on the mission, started by ISBEP 1 (Huntsville, Alabama, November 5 - 7, 2002) and ISBEP 2 (Sendai, Japan, October 20 - 23, 2003).  It will bring together organizations and individuals interested in developing beamed-energy propulsion schemes and concepts into space transportation systems of the future.  It will offer an exceptional opportunity for researchers in the BEP field to present the current results of their studies.  The program will include all aspects related to the science and technology of beamed-energy propulsion in its various forms and applications.  The list of topics includes, but is not limited to: 

» basic science and technology of laser, microwave, x-ray and particle-beam propulsion and micropropulsion; 
» power-beamed photon sails
» hybrid and auxiliary BEP systems; 
» beam-propelled aircraft; 
» BEP flight experiments; 
» BEP mission and system analysis; 
» directed-energy airspikes; 
» planetary defense and space debris removal; 
» beam generation, guidance and propagation for propulsion; 
» new BEP concepts; 
» research facilities for BEP tests. 

LOCATION 
The symposium will be held on the campus of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Rensselaer, the nation’s oldest technological research university, sits on a bluff overlooking the city of Troy, N.Y, and the Hudson River.  The 260-acre Troy campus is 10 miles northeast of Albany, New York’s capital, and 150 miles north of New York City.  The Adirondacs, the Berkshires, and the Catskills, all within an hour of Troy, offer hundreds of areas for camping, hiking, and skiing. 

REGISTRATION 
The regular registration fee for the symposium is $200 with an early registration option of $150.  The deadline for early registration is September 10, 2004.  The registration fee for full time students and retired attendees is $40.  The fee covers the registration package, the awards dinner at the historic Sage Dining Hall, coffee breaks, welcome reception and the Proceedings. 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Organizers have arranged a block of rooms at the nearby Crown Plaza (from Oct. 9 – 14, 2004) at reduced rate of $99/day plus tax for single or double occupancy. Shuttle service from/to the Albany International Airport will be available. The deadline for reservations is August 9th. When making reservation please call 800-2CROWNE, and refer to ISBEP 3.
    Crowne Plaza Hotel
    Albany-City Center
    State and Lodge Street 
    Ten Eyck Plaza
    Albany, NY 12207
    Tel: 1-518-462-6611
    Fax: 1-518-462-2901

AIRLINE RESERVATIONS
ISBEP 3 participants can book airline tickets at discounted round-trip fares from Delta Air Lines, the official airline of the symposium. 
On domestic flights you can receive 10% discount plus additional 5% discount if you purchase your ticket 60 days or more prior to your departure date.  Please call Delta Meeting® Reservations at 1-800-241-6760 and refer to File Number 204451A.
On international flights you can receive 10% or, in some cases, 20% discount.  Please call Delta Meeting® Reservations at 1-800-241-6760 and refer to File Number 204452A.

RENTAL CAR RESERVATIONS 
Rental car reservations can be made at discounted rates at Avis, the official rental car provider of the symposium.  The Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number for our meeting is J790295.  Please, give this AWD number to the reservations agent when calling Avis directly at 1-800-331-1600. For on-line reservation click here.

SPECIAL EVENTS 

Welcome Reception (October 11, Monday)
A good opportunity to relax after the first day of the symposium and to meet your colleagues in a less formal atmosphere.  The reception will be covered by the registration fee; a cash bar will be available. The reception will be held in The Alumni House on the Rensselaer campus and will be covered by the registration fee; a cash bar will be available. 

Symposium Dinner (October 13, Wednesday)
The concluding event with a guest speaker (TBD) and award ceremony will be held at the beautiful Sage Dining Hall on Rensselaer’s main campus.  Additional reservations can be made for guests at registration. 

Scenic Fall Foliage Bus Tour (October 14, Thursday)
Scenic Fall Foliage Bus Tour (October 14, Thursday) Scheduled for Thursday October 14th - during peak brightness of the Northeast Fall foliage colors: A scenic tour of the Adirondacks, featuring the Great Camp Sagamore (a National Historic Site), delicious lunch aboard the W.W. Durant while cruising Raquette Lake, visit to the Adirondack Museum, and an exquisite dining experience at the Merrill Magee House - will be available at a nominal fee. Step back in time to an era when the Vanderbilts, Morgans, Carnegies, and other Captains of Industry ‘vacated’ the stifling heat of New York City to ‘vacation’ in their sumptuous Adirondack Camps, pampered by all the comforts of home and indulging in the ‘illusion of roughing it.’

ABSTRACTS AND TECHNICAL PAPERS 
An abstract with the title, author's name(s) and affiliation(s) and not more than 150 words of text must be submitted by e-mail to Andrew Pakhomov in the form of a direct message or as an attachment in MS Word or Word Perfect format not later than August 31. 

A technical paper (limited to 12-page format) will be published in the Symposium Proceedings under the Conference Series of the American Institute of Physics.  Proceeding format: book, hardcover, 6x9-inch size.  In addition, for those who prefer electronic publications to traditional paper, AIP provides on-line access to its proceedings.  Early submissions are encouraged.  The deadline for paper submission is October 11th.  The general policy of "no paper – no podium" will be enforced by session chairs.  Guidelines for paper preparation and copyright clearance and assignment forms will be provided on the web. 

AUDIOVISUAL 
A PC-projector and overhead projector will be available.  Other equipment, such as 35-mm slide projector or VHS VCR will be available upon request.  The requests must be received by October 1.

TIMING OF PRESENTATIONS 
Thirty (30) minutes will be allotted for regular talks, including introduction and questions.  Time of plenary talks: 45 minutes.

NONDISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES 
The Organizers will accept registrations irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, sex, creed, or physical handicap. 

SMOKING POLICY 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has strict rules regarding smoking.  In accordance with the University policy, smoking is allowed only at specially designated sites outside the buildings.  Smoking inside University buildings is prohibited. 

RESTRICTIONS 
Video or audio taping of sessions and unauthorized sale of symposium proceedings is prohibited.