ESA Academy’s training initiatives propel students into the future of space exploration
As we embark on the year 2024, the ESA Education continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of space education. This article highlights the familiar and recurrent training sessions ESA Academy offered in the second half of 2023, held at the Training and Learning Facility, ESEC-Galaxia in Belgium.
September started with the Space Debris Training Course. This particular course brought together 48 Master and PhD students from 14 different countries. Through a parallel onsite and online delivery organised in collaboration with ESA’s Space Debris Office, participants explored the forefront of Space Debris research. The unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical group projects equipped students with the skills to address the growing challenges in the sector.
The scheduling of activities for the week was impeccable, allowing us to maximize our time. However, it wasn't just the classroom lessons that made us appreciate this experience; simultaneously, the informal conversations with professionals, which also took place outside the classroom, were invaluable, mentioned a student from Sapienza University of Rome. My participation in the team project was a true learning adventure. We worked with the MASTER and DRAMA software, essential tools for performing complex calculations related to space debris. This allowed us to apply the theory we had studied and gain a deep understanding of the problem, he concluded.
Fast forward to October, and we welcomed another 28 students from 16 nationalities to the 8th edition of Ladybird Guide to Spacecraft Operations Training Course. Aimed at providing practical insights into spacecraft operations, it offered a comprehensive understanding of mission control, satellite manoeuvring, and operational decision-making. At the end of the week, the group travelled to ESOC (European Space Operations Centre) where they heard about topics such as flight dynamics and mission analysis, visited the site and had the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of real spacecraft operators during a live pass simulation in the famous ESOC Main Control Room!
From operating spacecrafts to designing satellites… November was full! It begun with the Earth Observation Satellite System Design Training Course, organised in collaboration with ARES, the Association for Retired ESA Staff, and attended by 30 university students from 12 nationalities. Earth-observation satellites play a crucial role in monitoring and understanding our planet. Students delved into the intricacies of electromagnetic wave theory, radar remote sensing, microwave radiometry, optical payload as ground segment and operations, gaining the skills to contribute to the development of the future Earth observation missions.
Later, 26 students from 11 nationalities joined the Post-Alpbach Summer School. This concurrent engineering session offered an immersive experience for students to work on EXODUS, a mission designed by Alpbach Summer School students aimed to study the evolution of sub-Neptune to Jupiter size exoplanets. Thanks to our concurrent engineering facility and advanced software such as COMET and STK by Ansys, the participants were immersed in an ideal environment to gain hands-on experience in space mission and design development. After a week's work, I glanced around the room, struck by the realization of our sizable team despite our efficient collaboration. It was the moment I realised the quiet success of teaching us concurrent engineering, commented one student from the Technical University of Berlin.
To end the year in style, another 30 students from 15 nationalities participated in the Human Space Physiology Training Course organised in collaboration with ESA’s Space Medicine Team. Understanding the impact of space travel on the human body is essential for planning long-duration missions. That’s why it is of the utmost importance to provide future scientists and engineers an in-depth exploration of physiological adaptions, countermeasures, and health considerations for astronauts. On the last day, students also had the chance to meet ESA’s astronaut Reinhold Ewald and reserve astronaut Carmen Possnig, who generously shared their insights and answered students’ questions concerning the astronaut selection, pre-flight training, spaceflight missions and post-flight recovery period. Indeed, any journey into space is challenging, and the ESA Space Medicine team is there to help astronauts getting ready for the next mission!
ESA Academy’s commitment to training shines through in these future-looking sessions. By offering a blend of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience, and exposure to cutting-edge research, these initiatives empower the next generation of the space workforce!