A great start to YYB World Space Week

The 3 day YYB World Space Week kicked off Thursday with industry day at Canadore’s Aviation technology campus.

Guest speakers included author Robert Godwin on the history of aerospace, a space officer with 21 Aerospace Control and Warning squadron and the head of Swiss Space Systems in the US Robert Feierbach.

He says they chose North Bay and Canadore College to work because they like what they heard.

Feierbach says they want to do business with Canadore and North Bay because there is a can do spirit here that isn’t true everywhere.

He says their focus for now is drop tests and zero gravity flights which are coming next year.

He says they still need to work with Transport Canada and Nav Canada on getting certifications for their work but he is not overly concerned.

Feierbach says he loves the open spaces here and the fact that everyone is working together.

Canadore College president George Burton says space is exciting and there’s a great opportunity in terms of aircraft maintenance, space maintenance and avionics.

He says it is important that Canadore gets that message out to students and World Space Week is a great vehicle for that as there are over 1400 different celebrations during World Space Week in 80 countries.

Meantime, businesses, tourism and residents are all benefiting from North Bay hosting World Space Week activities.

Thursday was Industry Day, and President of the Chamber of Commerce Jake Lacourse says they got to show off to industry leaders that North Bay is open for businesses when it comes to the space and aerospace sector.

He adds residents and tourist will benefit from Saturday’s Community Day.

He says there will be lots to see and do including a talk from Col. Chris Hadfield at the Capitol Centre.

Lacourse says it’s one of his only northern stops and many people will come from out of town to see the Canadian Astronaut in person.

Today (Friday) is Education Day where students will learn more about space exploration through a number of interactive displays at 22 Wing Fitness and Wellness Centre.