[Here's one for EVERYONE in Ireland - well students anywhere in Ireland anyway!] Dear David/Astronomy Ireland I'm not sure if you remember me, but I gave the talk on the SpaceShip One launch at the 2004 Astrofest in DCU. I was hoping you could do me a favour, and bring the following opportunity to the attention of your members. If you have a mailing list for them, then ideally if you could send this out on the list, or if not mention it at the next meeting: It's a course I did last summer at the International Space University - they offer a summer programme which is really very interdisciplinary, covering engineering, science, business and policy aspects of space exploration. See below for the full blurb. There's funding put aside for 2 or 3 Irish students each year, but so far they've got no applications from Ireland. It is not well known about in Ireland, so I doubt many students have heard of it. But it's a great programme and I would highly recommend it. Many thanks, Paul Reilly ISU Summer Session Programme, 2006 ----------------------------------- The International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France has a number of places for Irish students still available on it's Summer Session Programme (SSP), which will take place from 1st July to 2nd September 2006. I was a student at the SSP '05 in Vancouver, Canada, and I would highly recommend the programme to others. Here's a little more information about it: The ISU offers an international, intercultural and interdisciplinary programme covering all aspects of space exploration from space engineering (vehicle design, robotics) to life sciences (physiological responses to zero gravity) to politics + law (Outer space treaties, geostationary orbital slots) to business and management (venture captital, space tourism) and even philosophy. You will be taught by some of the leading experts in the field. For example, in the 2005 SSP we were taught robotics by engineers from NASA's JPL robotics group - the same group who built the Spirit and Opportunity rovers which are currently on Mars. We were taught space engineering by a russian engineer who heldped design the russian space shuttle. We were taught all about the the body's reaction to zero gravity (cardiovascular system, vestibular systems) by a NASA flight surgeon. Following the core lecture module, students then undertake a 5 week team project on a specific topic. In 2005 the projects were on Near Earth Objects and Robotic Exploration of Venus. The Team Project topics for the 2006 Summer Session Programme are on TP1 - Nanotechnolgy TP2 - Artificial Life The programme also includes professional visits to local space industry and research insititutes, and weekly panel discussions by invited speakers. The SSP brings together about 100 students from all over the world for an intensive 9 week programme. The programme is full board, so accomodation and food is included. You will eat, sleep and work together for the duration of the programme. It is a lot of hard work (lectures begin at 8am) but it is also a lot of fun, and you will get to know some amazing people and make good friends. This year's SSP takes place in Strasbourg - a pretty little French town on the river Rhine bordering Germany. The SSP will no doubt feature some trips to the surrounding wine region. Strasbourg is home to many European intitutions including the council of Europe and the European Parliament. To find out more about the ISU and the SSP, check out the programme here: http://www.isunet.edu/EN/214 Funding is available for 2 or 3 Irish students from ESA and Enterprise Ireland. The closing date is 1st May, so if you are interested you should apply as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the SSP, or need any advice on how to apply for funding, feel free to contact me. Paul Reilly paul@astropaul.com -------------------------------------------- Astronomy Ireland (01) 847 0777 SUPPORT IRELAND'S BIGGEST TELESCOPE SHOP (open til 9pm Thurs & Fri) ( FREE delivery nationwide. FREE advice. 01-847 0777 Mon-Sat incl)