Young Scientists from 22 Countries Are Interested in Studying Nanosatellite Technologies at Samara University

78 young scientists from 22 countries have applied for participation in the 15th  International Summer School “Future Space Technologies and Experiments in Space”, the main stage of which will be held at Samara University from June 17 to 29, 2019.

Within two weeks, its students will study modern computer technologies for designing micro and nanosatellites, designing electronic systems, and analyzing space missions. Students will listen to lectures and carry out laboratory and practical classes on modern technologies of orientation, stabilization, navigation, development of power supply systems, telemetry, onboard control systems of micro and nanosatellites. The classes will use prototypes of the onboard systems of CubeSat class research and education nanosatellites, created by the scientists and students of the Inter-University Department of Space Research of Samara University.

During the education period, students will be divided into four teams, each of which will consider the original project of the nanosatellites missions. At the end of the course nanosatellite projects will be presented for expert evaluation to scientists and engineers who participated in the third Russian Symposium on Nanosatellites with International Participation RusNanoSat-2019.

Participation in the summer space school will give students not only new unique knowledge and experience, but will also allow them to earn additional points according to the European Credit Transfer System - ECTS. After the completion of the offered two-week course students will receive 3.5 ECTS credits. In comparison, one semester of studies in a European university corresponds to 30 ECTS credits.

Among those wishing to take part in the summer space school are the representatives of Germany, Sweden, Japan, Italy, Spain, Norway, Portugal, Brazil, Serbia, Peru, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Afghanistan. Latin American countries demonstrate the traditionally high demand for participation in the School –  16 applications were received from Mexico alone. Five applications were sent by young scientists of Sri Lanka, seven more –  by  Indian citizens. In addition, Africa is represented by applications from Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso.

The representatives of regional centres for the human-capacity building in space science and technology, operating under the auspices of the UN in several developing countries, also want to take part in the work of school.

“For example, an application from Burkina Faso came from the participant of the UN workshop on human capacity building, which was held at Samara University in November 2017,” – said Head of the School, Head of the Inter-University Space Research Department of Samara University, Professor Igor Belokonov.

From February 18, registered participants will start doing assignments and tests of the distant selection stage of the summer space school. At this stage, applicants must demonstrate the level of theoretical training that will allow them to participate in the development of space missions projects.

The announcement of the results of the distant education stage and the list of participants of the full-time education stage will take place in mid-March. 40 students will be able to become the participants of the Summer Space School, which will be held at Samara University in the second half of June.