FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Father and Daughter Team Launching International Peace Star I
A huge balloon that will fly across the United States to draw attention to world poverty, promote peace, and further their dream of launching 'The International Peace Star' into space
DETROIT, MI - Dec. 17, 2003 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- Jon Maxey, and 17 year-old daughter Angela have conceived an ambitious strategy to promote world peace, "The International Peace Star Project." The duo's goal: launch a massive reflective balloon, dubbed "The International Peace Star," into orbit, encouraging the world to look at the beauty that surrounds us and to think about the importance of peace. "We share a profound responsibility to the future that we often fail to fully appreciate." Currently, over 800,000,000 people live in profound poverty and an average of 24,000 die each day of starvation. Providing hope to the hopeless is the path to peace.
The International Peace Star I
A 200-foot diameter helium balloon will be launched in February 2004 from Phoenix, Arizona. This balloon will be seen by millions during its flight across the U.S.
The launch and design of the electronics package is being coordinated by Mr. Bill Brown of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Mr. Brown is contributing to the project in his free time. The massive balloon has been donated by Raven Industries.
An impressive list of supporters have contributed over the past two years:
* U.S. Senator Carl Levin
* Mr. Richard Wagoner Jr., CEO General Motors
* Raven Industries Inc.
* U of M Aerospace Engineering
* BBK Studios
* Mr. William Brown
* Grosse Pointe Academy
* Mr. Don Piccard, Internationally recognized balloonist
Many others have donated time and resources.
The purpose of "Peace Star I" is to expose the more ambitious dream of "The International Peace Star Project." The father-daughter team hope to interest a Fortune 1000 company, foundation, or individual to sponsor that project.
The International Peace Star Project consists of 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 Maxeys are no strangers to raising awareness of social issues. In 1996, Angela earned an audience with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office to present a "Peace Bomb" which split open, showering photos of Bosnian refugees. This demonstration was broadcast around the world from the Roosevelt Room.
Jon Maxey, Jim Flickinger and Robert Hiner, co-founders of "Bright Light," have delivered more than $6 million in aid to third world nations. The trio personally delivered aid to hospitals and refugee organizations. They never took a dime in salary, travel, or administrative expenses for their efforts.
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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