Toronto, Ontario, August 29, 2005 – Optech Incorporated, the global leader in the manufacture and support of advanced laser-based survey systems, is pleased to announce that Robert D. Richards, the company’s space division director, has received an honorary doctoral degree from the International Space University (ISU).
The Doctor of Space Achievement, honoris causa, was conferred on August 23rd at the graduation ceremony of the 2005 ISU Summer Session Program held at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, for "distinguished accomplishments in support of humanity’s exploration and use of space."
Robert (Bob) Richards founded the International Space University in 1987 with Peter Diamandis and Todd Hawley, serving as the university’s first Associate Administrator for Strategic Planning and chair of the board’s administrative and strategic planning committees. The three ISU founders received the honorary doctorates as the first honorary degrees bestowed by ISU since the university’s official accreditation in 2003.
Following a long and distinguished career in the international space arena, Bob joined Optech in 2002 to lead the company’s newly formed Space and Atmospheric Division. After the start-up of ISU but before joining Optech, Bob founded and led several commercial space and private sector ventures. He has appeared frequently on television and radio as a space expert and communicator. He is a contributing author of "Blueprint for Space", published by the Smithsonian Institution, and "Return to the Moon", due for release in fall 2005.
Bob is the recipient of four major space awards: the K.E. Tsiolkovski Medal (Russia, 1995), the Space Frontier "Vision to Reality" Award (USA , 1994), the Arthur C. Clarke Commendation (Sri Lanka, 1990) and the Aviation & Space Technology Laurel (USA, 1988).
About Optech
Optech offers client-driven solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, hydrographic surveying, laser imaging, atmospheric monitoring and space-based lidar systems for planetary exploration, space operations and Earth observation.
For further information contact:
Daven Maharaj
Manager, Marketing and Business Development
Space and Atmospheric Division
Mobile: 416-356-6211 Email: davenm@optech.ca
