Supporters of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space protested a UNM School of Engineering forum Monday, saying the event is furthering the development of dangerous weapons that may harm future generations.
Meanwhile, an Air Force representative countered the argument, saying that the conference was important for developing potential energy resources.
The four-day forum, which began Sunday, takes place at the Hyatt Regency Downtown and was organized by the UNM School of Engineering's Institute For Space And Nuclear Power Studies in association with NASA and the U.S Department of Energy.
It continues through Wednesday and features presentations from NASA officials, the U.S. Secretary for Education and the director of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.
One of the global network's goals is to promote the peaceful and environmentally sound exploration of outer space and to educate the public about all military and civil space policy, according to the organization's Web site.
"They are working on developing a new market for nuclear power and the new market is space," said activist Bruce Gagnon, who works for the global network.
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Gagnon is a resident of Florida who has traveled to 27 states and 5 countries attending nuclear weapon protest events.
He said that the United States is motivated to expand its nuclear powers into space in order to obtain a new level of world domination.
"If we can control and dominate space, then we can control and dominate the earth below, too," he said. "Then we can win all the wars."
Gagnon said that in the drive for a new market for weapons and nuclear power in space, all living things are at risk for contamination from nuclear fallout.
Firooz Allahdadi, a member of the Air Force Safety Center who is attending the forum, disagreed. He said research and development of radioisotope material is necessary to ensure future energy options, such as solar power.
"Millions and millions of dollars go to making it safe," he said. "We don't want to kill ourselves but because (the research) is nuclear it's blown
