International Lunar Observatory Association News
Volume 2, Issue 1–January 2007–Hawai‘i Island
International Lunar Observatory Association Gains Momentum,
Seeks Global Astronomy, Individual and Commercial Endorsements
The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) begins 2007 well-positioned among the upcoming fleet of Moon orbiters led by the governments of China, India, Japan, USA and Europe. A truly global mission, the ILOA hopes to become one of the first scientific and commercial, low-cost pioneers of Hawaii astrophysics and catalyst for human space exploration for the 21st century. With a standing endorsement by native Hawaiian cultural practitioner and Mauna Kea Support Services ranger Kimo Pihana, the ILOA now turns to astrophysical institutions, dedicated individuals and commercial NewSpace enterprises for endorsement and support.
With consideration to possible development scenarios atop Hawaii Island’s sacred Mauna Kea, the ILOA wishes to express its endorsement and support of the Optical Hawaiian Array for Nanoradian Astronomy (OHANA) project as an appropriate use of the summit.
Being incorporated as a Hawaii-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the ILOA and its acting directors, Steve Durst, Charles Bohannan and Leilehua Yuen, will hold an ILOA Founding Meeting from 4-8 November at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort on Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast. The event will bring together between 50-100 participants dedicated to and capable of realizing the ILO as early as 2009.
On 1-2 November, preceding the ILOA Founding Meeting, a Pacific Space Access Workshop will be held by Space Age Publishing Company on the island of Oahu. The Workshop intends to inspire discussion and action between numerous space access companies from the USA, Russia, Canada and elsewhere, and the State of Hawaii. More information about the Pacific Space Access Workshop will be available at www.iloa.org.
A recent January Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop on users and applications for the ILO was successfully held in California’s Silicon Valley, offering related commercial opportunities and future business prospects for the ILO.
The Planetary Society is prominently highlighting the ILOA on the back cover of its upcoming The Planetary Report Special Lunar Issue Jan/Feb 2007 issue. The respected space organization, now boasting over 100,000 worldwide members, has aligned with the ILOA in welcoming the 2007 start of the International Lunar Decade.
The Moon book, authored by lunar experts David Schrunk, Madhu Thangavelu, Bonnie Cooper and Burton Sharpe, will be published as a much-anticipated second edition this spring. The ILOA will be featured in an expanded Appendix that includes details of the ILO mission, objectives, financing and strategic role in 21 st century inter-global astronomy and communications.
Visit the new ILOA website in February at www.iloa.org for an updated, detailed look at the ILO and news about upcoming ILOA events.
To show your endorsement and support for the ILOA, please reply to this email with your name, organization, phone number, address and email, or contact the ILOA at temporary email news@spaceagepub.com or 808-885-3473. Aloha.