Company Bios | SpaceRef -
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Published on: 11/9/2003
Last Visited: 11/9/2003
Famous family explorers include Seigneur (Lord) Pierre Boucher who became the confidant of Louis XIV in 1664 and convinced him to take over the colony in New France that ultimately saved it and secured the French culture in Canada.An avid world traveler himself, Boucher's thirst for exploration has not been quenched here on earth.In 1998 his space enthusiasm was limited to supporting space advocacy groups like the Planetary Society.That was to change when in the spring of 1998 he came across a web site informing him of the pending foundation of the Mars Society.Always a supporter of space exploration this seemed the perfect opportunity to finally get involved.Boucher offered his services to create an online presence that would help stimulate the growth of the Mars Society by capitalizing on the boom of the Internet.The plan worked and the founding convention of the Mars Society was a success.In fact, the web site Boucher built over the course of three years helped propel the Mars Society to international prominence.During his three years with the Mars Society, Boucher was also a member of its Steering Committee and a member of the Board of Directors for almost two years.At the annual convention in 2001 Boucher was awarded the first Pioneer of Mars award for his services.Shortly afterwards Boucher left the Mars Society.A year later, after discussions with many people, Boucher led the founding of the Mars Institute.The Mars Institute would be a true research institute with a focus on science and would grow to be a leader in the exploration of Mars.This was something that was lacking at the Mars Society, which was focusing primarily on advocacy.Today the Mars Institute has received its first grant, has taken possession of an AM General HUMVEE named MARS-1 which is a unique experimental field exploration vehicle, is working with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA through the NASA Haughton-Mars Project and has brought in its first two outside researchers.
Boucher lives in Vancouver, beautiful British Columbia, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics.When not working Boucher relaxes by reading, sailing, hiking or traveling to exotic locations such as Sri Lanka.