News Release

“Solar energy from space via geosynchronous satellite could provide much of the world’s electrical energy needs for generations to come...”

 Tuesday, April 28, 2009
11:00 A.M.
SPACE Canada launches international dialogue
on solar energy from space
"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power!
I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that."
Thomas Edison
1931
Toronto, Ontario … Today SPACE Canada, www.spacecanada.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international dialogue on space-based solar power, was officially launched at the Ontario Science Centre, which will be the site of the first International Symposium on Solar Energy from Space in September 2009. The symposium is sponsored by SPACE Canada in cooperation with the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

“The dialogue on space-based solar power has been going on for 40 years ever since it was first conceived by Dr. Peter Glaser,” said George Dietrich, President of SPACE Canada. “But that dialogue has been confined to space engineers and space systems technologists. We at SPACE Canada want to change that; we want to open the dialogue on this safe, clean and abundant source of sustainable energy to the people of Canada, their government representatives and the media.”

SPACE Canada’s five-minute video on solar energy from space, directed and narrated by Bob McDonald, was presented for the first time to students from the Ontario Science Centre Science School and special guests including representatives of SPACE Canada’s corporate and academic sponsoring organizations.

“Solar energy from space via geosynchronous satellite could provide much of the world’s electrical energy needs for generations to come,” said John Mankins, Co-Chair of the IAA’s Study Group on Solar Energy from Space and former NASA Executive who headed up NASA’s “Fresh Look Study” into solar power satellites. “It will take political will on the part of world governments and the investment of intellectual and financial capital over the coming years to realize a vision that offers a viable and sustainable alternative to the harmful effects of the burning of carbon-based fossil fuels on the world’s climate.”

For more information on SPACE Canada and the International Symposium on Solar Energy from Space go to www.spacecanada.org

To arrange for an interview please contact:

Margaret McLaughlin
Executive Director
SPACE Canada
519-439-0646