FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Father And Daughter Propose Launching 'Peace Star' Satellite
Grand Rapids, MI - Dec 17, 2003 /PRnetwire.com/ -- Jon Maxey, Co-founder of
Bright Light Inc., an organization that provides humanitarian aid for third
world nations, and 16-year-old daughter Angela, have conceived an ambitious
strategy to focus attention on world peace called the International Peace Star
Plan (www.thepeacestar.org). As part of this plan the Maxeys envision the
International Peace Star -- a large, inflatable, earth-orbiting, reflective
sphere -- as a constant reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and the
importance of peace to our future
"Many nights when I return home after work," says Jon Maxey, "I stop to look
into a sky full of stars. I usually have the same thought: we all share this
magnificent sight, regardless of the differences that separate us. We are all
connected and part of something much bigger. We share a responsibility to the
future that we often fail to fully appreciate. But how can we get everyone to
look up into the sky and think a little more about the importance of a peaceful
future?"
Together, the father-daughter team drafted the "International Peace Star Plan"
comprising two main components:
The International Peace Star: A glimmering 140-foot beacon, launched into space that will transcend race, nationality, and culture. "When placed in near-equatorial orbit," says Jon, "the inflated sphere will remain circling above the earth's surface as a constant reminder of our shared dream of peace." The design, patterned after NASA's Echo project, will utilize "off the shelf" technology. The cost of the inflatable structure is approximately $600,000. They hope to "piggyback" this payload into orbit on one of several commercial launch systems currently available. The International Peace Superfund: An unprecedented effort to supply resources to help people lift themselves from poverty through self-sufficiency, education, and free market principles. Funding would be gathered by redirecting a fraction of the defense budgets of the world's developed countries. Beginning with the launch of the International Peace Star, the two hope to inspire a worldwide movement that creates a new synergy, enhancing our own defense by providing hope and stability for millions.
The project has caught the interest of U.S. Senator Carl Levin, and General
Motors Corp. CEO Richard Wagoner Jr., who have pledged support in various ways.
The University of Michigan's Department of Aerospace Engineering has completed a
directed study project for the design and feasibility of the Peace Star. The
cost to build and deploy the inflatable satellite into orbit is about $17
million. The structure itself would cost around $600,000, with the larger
portion going toward the cost of launching the satellite into space. The design
is patterned after NASA's Echo satellites that were launched during the '60s. An
8-foot diameter prototype has been developed as a public relations visual.
They hope to interest a Fortune 1000 company, foundation, or individual to sponsor the project. The Maxeys are no strangers to raising awareness of social issues. In 1996, Angela earned an audience with then-President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office to present a "peace bomb" which, when split in two, showered photos of Bosnian refugees. This demonstration was broadcast around the world from the Roosevelt Room.
With fellow Michigan activists, Jim Flickinger and Robert Hiner, Jon Maxey has
delivered more than $6 million in aid to Third World nations, through a project
the trio founded called Bright Light. They personally delivered the humanitarian
aid to hospitals and refugee organizations, and never took a dime in salary,
travel or administrative expenses.
A free e-book about The International Peace Star Plan, and additional
information, can be found at http://www.thepeacestar.org
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