Dedication
Upon first light the day of our launch
Upon first light the day of our launch, December 25, 2003,
Slooh is dedicated to Blake Wallens and all those who died on 9/11.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c9858e_675f2dfe072449cd8affc11346feae36~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_38,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Frame%206598.png)
Founder’s Message
The vastness of the cosmos has always been a source of inspiration for me. It’s a reminder of how interconnected we are and how much we still have to explore. I created Slooh with a simple but powerful idea: to make the universe accessible to everyone, everywhere, by harnessing the power of technology and curiosity.
Slooh was born from a vision of uniting people through the shared experience of exploring the night sky. Following my early work as an entrepreneur and my lifelong fascination with astronomy, I saw an opportunity to create a platform that would allow anyone with an internet connection to control telescopes, capture breathtaking images of celestial wonders, and deepen their understanding of space.
The journey began after the tragic loss of my close friend, Blake Wallens, on 9/11. Like many, I struggled to find meaning amidst the grief. I turned to the philosophy of Carl Sagan, who emphasized the power of understanding our cosmic context to inspire unity and reflection. What if more people could experience the awe and wonder of the universe directly? What if technology could break down barriers and bring people together to explore the cosmos?
Launching Slooh on Christmas Day 2003, symbolically aligned with the winter solstice, was a reminder of how the cosmos can illuminate even the darkest times. Overcoming challenges, from securing an observatory site at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands to developing cutting-edge technology, we built a platform that now connects people across the globe in real-time exploration.
Today, Slooh operates telescopes in the Canary Islands, Chile, and Australia, ensuring round-the-clock access to the universe. Beyond individual exploration, Slooh has transformed into a vital educational tool, inspiring students from kindergarten to graduate school in classrooms across the U.S., India, Israel, the UK, and the UAE. By combining cutting-edge technology with a passion for discovery, we’re empowering educators to bring the universe to life for the next generation of scientists, explorers, and dreamers.
At Slooh, we believe the cosmos belongs to everyone. Our mission is to break down barriers, foster curiosity, and inspire a global community to look up, marvel at the universe, and discover our shared place within it. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we’re not just exploring space—we’re redefining how we connect with the universe and each other.
Michael Paolucci
Founder/CEO, Slooh
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c9858e_893b12632ab34727801fcddc2fcb972a~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c9858e_495039d53ad24d699044496fac5739ae~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_595,h_1,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/Line%2019.png)