In recent years global optimization has found applications in many interesting areas of science and technology including molecular biology, chemical equilibrium problems, medical imaging and networks. The collection of papers in this book indicates the diverse applicability of global optimization. Furthermore, various algorithmic, theoretical developments and computational studies are presented.
Audience: All researchers and students working in mathematical programming.

Space is no longer the special, protected domain that it was in the past. Because of the importance of its practical applications, it is becoming integrated into the mainstream of economic activity.
Technology push is giving way to the assessment of market opportunities and demand pull. Funding from the public sector is declining while interest in private financing is steadily growing. The value-added and service industries are increasing in importance. New technologies will be developed in a context of privatisation, de-regulation and globalization.
An international and...

Recent developments in telecommunications have led to new developments in tele-services, particularly tele-health and tele-education, for the benefit of those living in either the developed world or the less developed world. The benefits accrue to individuals and also to society at large.
An international and interdisciplinary Symposium was organized by the International Space University to bring together technical and non-technical people to consider the future applications of space techniques to tele-services. The Proceedings of this Symposium are essential reading for all who need to...

Addressing issues of ISS utilization and operations from all perspectives, especially the commercial viewpoint, as well as for scientific research and technological development, and education in the widest sense of the word this text should be of interest to those working in industry, academia and government, particularly in public-private partnerships.

Y. Fujimori, Symposium Programme Committee Chair, and Faculty Member, International Space University e-mail: fujimori@isu. isunet. edu M. Rycroft, Faculty Member, International Space University e-mail: rycroft@isu. isunet. edu Building on the foundations provided by the International Space Station, now partially constructed and already in use in low Earth orbit, what will be the future directions of human spaceflight? This was the key question discussed from many viewpoints - technical, entrepreneurial, governmental, legal - at the seventh Annual Symposium held in Strasbourg, France, early in...

T. Ito, International Space University, Strasbourg Central Campus, 1 Rue Jean Dominique Cassini, Parc d'Innovation, 67400 lllkirch-Graffenstaden, France e-mail: ito@isu. isunet. edu M. J. Rycroft, CAESAR Consultancy, 35 Millington Road, Cambridge CB3 9HW, UK e-mail: Michael. J. Rycroft(r)ukgateway. net As Symposium Committee Chair for the 2003 International Space University (ISU) Symposium, and Editor of this Proceedings volume, respectively, we write this introduction. The success of previous ISU symposia suggests that the ISU has developed a unique and winning formula for a novel type of...

What will be the future directions of human spaceflight? That was the key question addressed at this Symposium - in an atmosphere of realism mixed with idealism. Building on the foundations of the International Space Station, will it be space tourism, habitats in space, mining an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, bases on the Moon, or the colonisation of Mars? What robotic missions will be essential before crewed missions can be launched? How will these be financed? And when might it all happen?
Many ideas from the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia and Japan were put forward on the...

T. Ito, International Space University, Strasbourg Central Campus, 1 Rue Jean Dominique Cassini, Parc d'Innovation, 67400 lllkirch-Graffenstaden, France e-mail: ito@isu. isunet. edu M. J. Rycroft, CAESAR Consultancy, 35 Millington Road, Cambridge CB3 9HW, UK e-mail: Michael. J. Rycroft(r)ukgateway. net As Symposium Committee Chair for the 2003 International Space University (ISU) Symposium, and Editor of this Proceedings volume, respectively, we write this introduction. The success of previous ISU symposia suggests that the ISU has developed a unique and winning formula for a novel type of...

Space is no longer the special, protected domain that it was in the past. Because of the importance of its practical applications, it is becoming integrated into the mainstream of economic activity.
Technology push is giving way to the assessment of market opportunities and demand pull. Funding from the public sector is declining while interest in private financing is steadily growing. The value-added and service industries are increasing in importance. New technologies will be developed in a context of privatisation, de-regulation and globalization.
An international and...