Graduation

Credit: David Gaston Sulitzer

My time as an International Space University (ISU) student has now drawn to a close! Last week, around 50 students from the MSc13 class returned from their internships across the globe to quaint old Strasbourg town. Located on the border to Germany, the French city has been my home for the year (see my blog post here). I've made lifelong friends, memories and learnt more about who and what I want to be in the years to come. 

I began as an ISU Space Studies Program (SSP) student back in the summer of 2012. You might remember it from my 'This one time at space camp' blog post found here. The program is held in a different place every year and I was fortunate to attend the 25th (and best!) one of all in Florida. Witnessing 2 rocket launches and Space Shuttles Endeavor and Atlantis made it an incredible taster of what ISU has to offer. And I was not dissapointed with the Masters program. From trips to Russia, Toulouse, Switzerland, Germany and finally my internship in San Francisco at NASA Ames Research Center this summer, I've had the time of my life. After presenting my project 'The New Media Innovation Team at NASA Ames Research Center' to faculty, I graduated the following week with a Masters in Space Studies! I  am now one of the 3500 ISU alumni scattered across the planet.

I hope you've enjoyed following my ISU journey as much as I have loved writing and sharing it with you. I will no doubt continue with space and science posts and definitely, more space adventures to come! 

-Nikita

p.s If you have an interest in space and would like to learn about how you can make a difference to help humanity become a spacefaring species, then I'd recommend ISU for you, regardless of your academic background. Find out more on the programs ISU has to offer here and I promise, you'll join a space family like no other. 

Is Space "Y"our Dream?

I think it's important to share your passion for something that you feel strongly towards. Space, is something that I do feel this way about. However, it is also something everyone is connected to biologically, chemically, physically, environmentally and emotionally. With our everyday lives depending on the satellites that orbit our planet, to the stardust origins of the atoms within our own body, space affects us all. 

This documentary was made by my classmate and friend Edu Ferrete as part of his Individual Project at ISU. It's on the importance of Space in both everyday life and for the future of mankind and was creatively made with just his own resources and the intention to  inspire thought and provoke action.

 As you watch, consider if Space is your dream. 

Why Space? Why not

-Nikita

The Start of Space School - Masters'13

So classes have officially begun and the assignments have been rolling in. Luckily, I go to Space University..where both the lectures and projects are all about the future welfare of our planet and in essence, the human race.

Lectures on Space Policy, Orbital Mechanics, Life Sciences and Rocket Propulsion have given me a valuable insight into both the scientific and business aspects of the space industry. I even heard the first International Space University lecture given from space, by astronaut Bob Thirsk! My first assignment was to produce a report on the Indonesian space industry. My team and I were given the responsibility of suggesting future recommendations for the developing country and to present this to the class.

Learning how to get to Mars using transfer orbits - Dr Chris Welch

Astronaut Bob Thirsk giving us a lecture from the ISS
whilst in orbit

My team mate giving our presentation
on the Indonesian Space Industry

As well as working, I've met some wonderful people. Strasbourg is a beautiful city to live in and I've finally worked out how to distinguish one cobbled street from another (thanks Google Earth)! Having sampled the traditional Alsatian dish of tarte flambée, rainbow-coloured macaroons and enjoyed both German and French cuisine thanks to Strasbourg's unique location.

Traditional Tarte Flambée

Macaroon heaven

I was lucky enough to touch actual meteorites, over 4.6 Billion years old. Formed at the start of the Universe, meteorites have remained unchanged since then and as a result they provide a valuable window into the past. Presolar nanodiamond, extracted from a carbon-rich meteorite was another treat provided by my lecturer Dr Hugh Hill. Commonly known as 'stardust', the nanodiamond formed in the cool atmonspheres of old stars which found their way into the interstellar medium, before joining the giant molecular cloud that collapsed to form our Solar System.

Meteorite

Presolar Nanodiamond - older than the Solar System itself

My current assignment involves designing a proto-proposal for a NanoRacks experiment on plants to be flown aboard the International Space Station. This is something that I've been enjoying greatly since my Biology background has been helping my team decide on the species of plant and experimental design to be used.

My current project on a NanoRack experiment
for the ISS

- Nikita

Au revoir England!

I have arrived at my new home for the year, Strasbourg. I caught the Eurostar and super fast TGV train to reach the city with a unique blend of historical and contemporary architecture.

Sitting on the border of Germany, Strasbourg is home to the International Space University campus, which is where I will be studying a Masters in Space Studies for the next year.

Classes begin on Monday, so tomorrow I'll be spending the day familiarising myself with the area so that I avoid getting lost before I have a French sim card!

- Nikita