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Space Shuttle Flag Returns to BC Research

July 4, 2014

The first British Columbia flag to fly in space – for many years on display in the lobby of the old BC Research complex – has found its way back to the new BC Research Inc. facility.

The flag accompanied BC’s first astronaut, Payload Specialist Bjarni Tryggvarson, on STS-85 (August 7-19, 1997), a twelve-day shuttle mission to study changes in the earth’s atmosphere. The flag, curated by former BCRI employee, Dr. Nigel Fitzpatrick, was formally re-entrusted to the care of BC Research Inc. at a ceremony at the new facility in Burnaby, BC.

NORAM was a lead investor when the former BC Research Institute was privatized in 1993. BCRI was successfully run as a technology incubator until 2006, when attempts to renew the lease were unsuccessful and the unique 180,000 sq.ft. facility had to make room for condominium development.

While several operating divisions of BCRI were acquired by new owners, BC Research Inc., now a NORAM subsidiary, continues to grow as a center of excellence for the commercialization of process technologies. BC Research operates from a new specialized facility in Burnaby, BC, and, in addition to undertaking development work for the large chemical and resource companies, provides engineering, laboratory, and pilot plant support to early-stage technology companies.

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