In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the Canadian Space Program, Dr. Henry Buijs was presented with the prestigious John H. Chapman Award of Excellence at the Canadian Space Agency’s annual celebration, in the company of representatives from industry, academia, and government as well as former and current Canadian Astronauts.

Born in the Netherlands, Dr. Buijs is one of the original founders of Bomem in Quebec City, a high-technology, internationally recognized company now part of the ABB group. As a scientist, he established Fourier transform spectroscopy as a powerful technique and a core Canadian expertise used for monitoring the atmosphere from space. To this day, his motivation and leadership are a source of inspiration to hundreds of people. At 72 years of age, Dr. Buijs continues to supervise development projects as Chief Technology Officer at ABB’s Analytical Measurement business unit.

“Dr. Henry Buijs made direct contributions to several major space missions that have had and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere,” said Steve MacLean, President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), during the ceremony.

Dr. Buijs also contributed, in 1962, to the first balloon-borne measurement of night time atmospheric airglow. Fifty years later, CSA’s SCISAT-1 is making major contributions to the understanding of the ozone using the same measurement technique.

Dr. Buijs received the Williams-Wright Award of the Coblentz Society in 1998 and the Lionel-Boulet Award of the Quebec Government in 2005.

Henry Buijs’ biography: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2011/henry_buijs.asp

About the John H. Chapman Award of Excellence

Established in 2000 and presented by the Canadian Space Agency to distinguished members of the space community, this award celebrates a remarkable contribution to the advancement of the Canadian Space Program and a lifetime of achievement in space science and technology. The recipient of the John H. Chapman Award of Excellence is selected by a committee chaired by the Agency’s President. With this award, the Canadian Space Agency honours John H. Chapman’s foresight and his lifetime of dedication to space innovation, ingenuity, and excellence. Past recipients include: David A. Golden, Peter C. Hughes, Allan I. Carswell, John D. MacNaughton, Larry Clarke, Gordon G. Shepherd, Colin A. Franklin, Val O’Donovan, and John S. MacDonald.

For more information, visit the CSA website at www.asc-csa.gc.ca.