The International Institute of Space Commerce recently held its first fund raising event in the Claremont Hotel, Douglas, Isle of Man. Over 70 guests enjoyed a meal followed by a presentation and Q&A session with Col. Ron Garan titled after his forthcoming book, ‘The Orbital Perspective’.
 
Col. Garan is presently Science Advisor to Nobel winning Economist, Mohamed Yunus, a former NASA astronaut, USAF fighter pilot, test pilot, aquanaut, adventurer, author and noted leader in the world of social entrepreneurism.  He spoke of the privileges of being in space and the lessons learned from applying technology and ingenuity within the most testing of environments.  He is now using all this experience with a strong involvement in social activities mainly in Africa, providing low maintenance but essential equipment like water pumps.  Col. Garan explained that the same engineers who had created the air purification systems for the International Space Station had created and installed a water purification system in Rwanda.  Treasury Minister Edward Teare MHK, a director of the Institute kindly gave the vote of thanks, saying ‘…this inspirational and challenging talk demonstrates the great steps taken by mankind in its exploration of space, and the real life benefits this brings to the rest of us on our planet.  Col. Garan has indeed opened our eyes to the orbital perspective.”
 
Hon. Leonard Singer MHK, political member of the Department of Economic Development and a director of the Institute also attended the dinner.
 
All present had the opportunity to meet him and Col. Garan kindly signed books and papers afterwards.  The guests also had the opportunity to receive a new booklet produced by the IISC describing the present state of the space tourism sector, which was presented on the Island for the first time. 
 
Earlier this year the Institute’s work was highlighted at the US National Academy of Sciences and the White House, where it was invited to present its paper on Private Finance Initiatives for the Funding of Space Science.
 
The guests also had the opportunity to receive a new booklet produced by the IISC describing the present state of the space tourism sector, which was presented on the Island for the first time. Earlier this year the Institute’s work was highlighted at the US National Academy of Sciences and the White House, where it was invited to present its paper on Private Finance Initiatives for the Funding of Space Science.
 
The International Institute of Space Commerce is the world’s leading think tank and authority on space commerce, i.e. the business of space, the policy and regulatory issues facing it, the study of its markets, and the source of proactive solutions to its issues. Based in Douglas on the Isle of Man, the Institute is an integral part of the International Space University of Strasbourg, France, the world's leading space university.