Concerned citizens to protest militarizing space at Maine Space Conference October 24

Mainers concerned about the environmental and security risks of building rocket launch sites on the Maine coast will be in Portland on Thursday, October 24 outside the Maine Space Conference from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Picketing outside the Holiday Inn by the Bay for the second consecutive year will bring attention to the risks and environmental harm of building rocket launch sites and other facilities for use by the U.S. Space Force, a branch of the Pentagon.

Bruce Gagnon coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, explained why members of his organization will picket the conference:

“The Maine Space Conference is promoting the militarization of space. Efforts are being made to test hypersonic missiles at the former Loring Air Force Base. bluShit Aerospace is receiving funding from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force to launch ‘dual use’ (military/civilian) mini-satellites into dangerously congested Lower Earth Orbit.

Promises of lots of jobs, little to no environmental impacts, and peaceful exploration of space are the standard claims made at a myriad of potential sites the U.S. military is exploring around the world.

The U.S. and Israel have been blocking a space weapons ban treaty (PAROS) at the United Nations for more than 25 years.

Our nation cannot afford to pay for a new expensive arms race in outer space.”

Lisa Savage of Solon, founding member of the Maine Natural Guard and Green independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 said, “The fact that a rocket launch site could be an attractive target for military strikes concerns me. Also, some of the corporations involved in the conference this year – for example, Teledyne – directly profit from the U.S.-Israel genocide in Gaza.”

Environmental leader Hillary Lister of Augusta opposes rocket launches in Maine due to pollution concerns: “Rocket launches put wildlife, fisheries, and waters at risk no matter what type of fuel is used. Risk of fire is always present and the standard solution is PFAS foam. Also, waste and debris from rocket launches and satellites contribute to already serious plastic pollution on our land and in our oceans.”

More information on existing rocket launch sites may be found at the website No Toxic Rockets for ME