ISU’s Central Campus Executive Space Course (ISU ESC22) took place in-person from 04-08 April 2022 after two years of online activity.
Past president Juan de Dalmau kicked off this edition by welcoming 17 participants from 11 countries coming to Strasbourg, France from as far as South Korea, Singapore, USA and Norway, Luxembourg, Isle of Man, amongst others.
This intensive one-week course aims to give an introduction into the space sector. It included sessions from seven space disciplines – from policy and law and entrepreneurship, to engineering, and satellite applications, a workshop from Valispace, a talk by ESA astronaut Reinhold Ewald and an insight into the journey of an ISU alumni founded start-up – SPIRE Global Inc. – given by one of the co-founders himself – Jeroen Cappaert.
At the closing, participants expressed that this course was not just “a course” but a whole and overall experience designed by ISU. One participant even stated that it was one of the best weeks of his life!
Lecturers and experts who contributed to the success of the course include:
Yocoyani Badillo-Amberg, Product Owner, Valispace
Vitali Braun, Space Debris Engineer, IMS Space Consultancy GmbH, ESA/ESOC Space Debris Office
Jeroen Cappaert, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Spire Global Inc
Juan de Dalmau, Past President ISU
Reinhold Ewald, Astronaut (retired) ESA
Bertrand Goldman, Associate Professor in Astronomy and Research Facilitator ISU
Walter Peeters, Professor Space Business and Management, Past President ISU
Claude Rousseau, Consultant Analysis Market Research in the Satellite Industry Northern Sky Research (NSR)
Francois Spiero, Strategic Orientations Manager, French Space Agency CNES
Dimitra Stefoudi, International Institute of Air and Space Law Leiden University IISL
Danijela Stupar, Faculty and Research Associate ISU
Gongling Sun, Professor in Space System Engineering – Space Policy ISU
Taiwo Tejumola, Assistant Professor Space Applications – Space Engineering ISU
Virginia Wotring, Professor in Human Performance in Space ISU
Participants also stated that they found the interactions with the MSS22 students and ISU based incubator personnel very enriching and want to keep in touch with the community – some have already signed up as mentors and coaches for the SSP22 participants.
To keep the course successful and appealing, one should not rest on our past achievements however strive for further improvements! The feedback of the participants is an excellent input for this. A brainstorming session has already taken place and rest assured that ISU ESC23 which is planned to take place from 20-24 March 2023 will be another successful course.