Sandia National Laboratories will hold a media availability Sept. 15 at the National Press Club featuring several of the lab’s technical experts and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s top Defense Programs official, followed by a technical exposition Sept. 16 at the Capitol Visitor Center showcasing state-of-the-art national security technologies.
News media are invited to both events.
The media availability is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. Sept. 15 in the Lisagor Room on the 13th floor of the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW. Sandia scientists and Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, principal assistant deputy administrator for military application at the National Nuclear Security Administration, will provide a brief overview of Sandia’s contributions to national security over its 60-year history, as well as current developments in nuclear and energy security, homeland security and technologies currently supporting America’s military forces.
The technical exposition is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-noon Sept. 16 at the Capitol Visitor Center, located below the east front of the Capitol and its plaza. Sandia scientists and executive leadership will showcase a wide range of technologies and programs developed from Sandia’s national security mission. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu is scheduled to speak at the event, and other speakers include Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.).
News media are asked to call 505-844-4902 if planning to attend either event. More information about both events also is available from Stephanie Holinka (505-401-3970), or Chris Miller (505-844-0587).
Sandia National Laboratories grew out of the Manhattan Project during World War II where it played a key role in the development of the first atomic bomb. Sandia became an independent laboratory in 1949 and continues to play a critical role in ensuring the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile is safe, secure and reliable and effectively deters our adversaries. Sandia provides development, qualification and production of nonnuclear components, and integration of those components with the nuclear explosive package and military hardware. Sandia also provides critical expertise in the reduction of the nuclear threat from traditional strategic nuclear adversaries, as well as potential proliferating state and nonstate (terrorist) entities. To meet these challenges, Sandia uses its systems engineering and integration expertise to draw on a set of essential technical capabilities, including computational simulation, engineering sciences, microelectronics and microsystems, materials science and testing in extreme environments.
Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies, and economic competitiveness.
Sandia news media contact: Stephanie Holinka, slholin@sandia.gov (505) 284-9227