The Space Generation Advisory Council

You may have seen my blog post on the Space Generation Congress (SGC) back in October in Toronto this year. Organised by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), it's the place to be if you're a student or young professional interested in the key issues in space of this generation. 

I am happy to say that I have recently been selected as one of the organisation's Copy Editors. Joined by 5 other peers, we will work alongside the existing Copy Editors to shape the documents and papers presented around the world on behalf of space professionals and students. 

Comprised of volunteer students and young professionals in the space industry from over 100 countries across the globe, SGAC is the voice of the space generation of today - the space sector leaders of tomorrow. The network connects us to leaders in the United Nations (UN), space agencies and academia. Working in conjunction with the United Nations Committee  on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPOUS), SGAC has the power to communicate ideas across disciplines, generations and oceans. 

I'm very happy to join the SGAC team and help to shape the innovative work that is being done here.

-Nikita

Sunday Snippet

I've decided to start posting little Sunday snippets of inspiration every now and then. Sunday to me, is reflective of the week ahead. If you have a productive and positive Sunday, you're all set for the week. I think that working in any industry, not only in the field of space and science, requires constant self-improvement and self-awareness — something that I think is made easier by thought-provoking quotes such as the one above. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is how I find that I grow as a person and I enjoy reading the occasional inspiring quote or two to remind myself of my goals and ambitions both professionally and personally.

This quote in particular really does apply to space too, especially with the bittersweet last few weeks we have had. The challenges and achievements of the Rosetta Mission, the unfortunate Virgin Galactic test flight and the Antares rocket failure demonstrates our need as humans to attempt what we have not attempted before. Making changes and triggering innovation really does take  big, courageous leaps of faith in order to reach what lies beyond our shores.

- Nikita

Québec City

Spending the summer in Montreal means that I'm pretty close to some amazing cities. One of which being Québec City. Last weekend some friends and I drove 2 and a half hours north of Montreal to the beautiful capital city of the province of Québec.

The aptly named city is the oldest European settlement in North America. Winding cobblestone roads are the norm here, so much so that it's easy to forget you're in Canada and feel as though you're strolling the streets of Paris. 

This street in particular reminded me of the Parisian Montmartre. A famed tourist spot - I was told I couldn't leave Québec City without taking a photo here. 

Montmorency Falls was by far the highlight of the trip. The stunning waterfall flows on the Montmorency River and is 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. We walked up a winding staircase beside it as apposed to taking the cable car - a decision I at first was hesitant about but the views were totally worth it :)

We got pretty up close and personal with the waterfall in this shot! It's incredible being so close to such a powerful force of nature such as this.

This area of Québec City is called the Old Port.  What appears to be a castle or a palace in the first photo is in fact a hotel. Le Château Frontenac was built in 1893 and is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world. It certainly is impressive, as are the views from the pier looking out across the Fleuve Saint-Laurent. 

It was a wonderfully warm weekend in Quebec and a great break from the busy SSP schedule. We've had the opportunity to attend some very interesting panels and events so far and I will write a blog post on SSP life so far very soon :)

Nikita

O Canada

I've been in the beautiful country of Canada this past week and a half and although the time has now come for me to return to Munich — I thought a blog post would make my trip last a bit longer, through the photos of course.

 I visited downtown Toronto on the first weekend we were here. It's been 14 years since I last visited Toronto so it was really great to see the city again, this time from a different perspective. 

My sister, Vinita and I tried the surprisingly delicious combination of fried chicken and waffles with Niagara cherry jam, maple syrup and cream at The Drake Hotel. Their brunch menu was so good, and I loved their cute and quirky restaurant style. I definitely recommend it! :)

The Canadian $5 note is a little bit cool. Depicting an astronaut alongside the Canadaarm 2 — the Bank of Canada began circulating this new note last year — symbolising Canada's contribution to space exploration. I'd heard a lot about the new design so was excited to finally see it (and try not to use it)!

                                      

Niagara Falls was a magnificent sight to see. The three waterfalls dotted along the border between the United States and Canada were an incredible shade of turquoise in the Springtime sun — a rainbow even sat on the water which made for a great photo!

I stayed in Niagara-on-the-Lake which is about an hour and a half away from Toronto by car. Famed for its wine and ice wine production, the area is scattered with wineries — as well as the Georgian McFarland House, Floral Clock and the famous Rainbow Bridge — connecting the United States and Canada.

It's always fun revisiting places you first saw as a child and can now experience as an adult.

I'll be working in Montreal from June this year so I'm looking forward to spending more time in Canada, it really is a lovely country :)

-Nikita

Fairytale in Vienna

 A week or so ago I travelled to Vienna for the weekend with some friends. A 4 or 5 hour train journey away — I'd heard a lot of about the city and couldn't wait to see the capital of Austria for myself. 

Schloss Schönbrunn, a beautiful former imperial palace is a famous cultural attraction in Vienna. As Empress Elisabeth of Austria's former summer residence, it's also referred to as 'Sisi's Palace'. The mixture of palaces and whimsical architecture in Vienna gave the city a fairytale feeling.

My sweet tooth couldn't say no to the famous Sachertorte. Traditionally made in Hotel Sacher, it is one of the most famous Viennese culinary delights. So I had to try some, just for the cultural experience, obviously :)

                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      

Vienna was in full bloom, with bustling Easter markets and cherry blossom falling from the trees. As a previously self-proclaimed Autumn person, I think Spring might be my new favourite time of the year. The pastel shades of the season perfectly decorated the city's blend of old and modern architecture.

                                         
                                                   

The street art beside the Danube River was amazing. I found this painting of a female astronaut and had to get a photo with it :) 

Vienna is a beautiful city and I could definitely see myself living there one day. Although, the great thing about living in Munich is that I'm relatively close to quite a few cool European cities.

 Next, I've got my eye on Italy! 

-Nikita

Foreign Nostalgia

Whilst living abroad, going home can almost feel foreign at times— as contradictory as that sounds. Having lived in the US, France and now Germany for the past 2 years now, I've become accustomed to and have enjoyed living my daily life immersed in cultures and languages that are different to my own

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However, whenever I return home there's something about rainy tea-filled afternoons, the 'mind-the-gap' London Underground lady, black cabs and the leafy green suburbs of Greater London that seem both very familiar, but very different. A unique blend of foreign nostalgia. The classic expat's oxymoron. 

After returning to the bright, city lights of London recently, I obviously became an complete tourist :)  Above is a photo that I took of the London skyline, which includes one of my favourite places in London, St Paul's Cathedral. 

“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed, is you.” ― Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

-Nikita

It's My Birthday!

It's the last hour of my birthday and of course I had to share it with the most important creative space that I have, my blog! However much fun Taylor Swift makes being 22 sound like it is (and it was), turning 23 has been a weekend full of my favourite people, food and places. The perfect combination :) 

I thought I'd share a few snippets of my birthday with you in this small insight into my life as a space graduate in London. Hope you've all enjoyed your weekend wherever in the world you may be. Can't wait to share more space, science and travel posts with you soon, here's to another year of space adventures to come.

- Nikita