Laser Scientist/Prof. Hildreth “Hal” Walker is the Keynote

Laser Scientist Hildreth (Hal) Walker, Jr. who played a key role in the Apollo 11 Mission in 1969 will be the Keynote Speaker at the Annual Africa and International Use of Energy Conference. The conference will be held at the River Club, in Cape Town, South Africa on November 25-26, 2019.

Prof. Walker will address energy solutions for the cities of the 4th industrial revolution at the conference. The ICUE Conference will focus on sound energy management workshops, which will include case studies emphasizing best practice, international and local energy standards, involvement of original manufacturers, plant designers while encouraging universities and research councils to be more involved in energy research and marketing of Eskom’s Education Support Programs. It will discuss relevant topics during workshops with practical industrial themes to attract members of the Contractors’ Association; facility managers; energy managers of hospitals, hotels; in order to make decision makers and managers more energy conscious. Target groups include; Energy Intensive Users Group, mining sector; developers, insurance companies; manufacturers, commerce SASOL; and PetroSA.

50 years ago, Walker was the first person to successfully fire the laser to the moon during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission and led the manufacturing, testing and operation of the KORAD K-1500 ruby laser system for the Korad Laser Company. In 1969 during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment was the only interactive planetary experiment that took place for the first Moon Landing Mission.

In 1997, President Nelson Mandela invited Hildreth and Bettye to establish and implement science and technology programs in townships and schools across South Africa.

Prof. Walker and Dr. Bettye have made history again. On February 27, South Africa welcomed the opening of the first chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) on the African Continent: The Cape Town Space Society (CTSS). Prof. Hal and Dr. Bettye Walker founded this first-ever Chapter.