An Introduction toThe International Space UniversityAn international, interdisciplinary, intercultural, graduate-level education for tomorrow’s space leaders

An Introduction to ISU•What is ISU?•What do you learn?•Who do you meet?•What do you see?•Why should you go?•Where will it bring you?•How do I apply?

What is ISU: Philosophy•World space activities have become

increasingly international in nature.•New skills need to be developed and

enhanced in order to manage the engineering, economic, political and organizational aspects of space programs.

•Space professionals of the future need a very broad base of knowledge in order for space programs to succeed and grow.

ISU History and Founding• Founded by Todd Hawley, Bob Richards,

Peter Diamandis in 1987.• First Summer Session in 1988 (MIT). SSP is

in a different city each year▫9 in Europe (89, 91, 94, 95, 96, 01, 03, 06, 08)▫5 in USA (88, 93, 97, 98, 02)▫2 in Canada (90, 05)▫2 in Asia (92, 99)▫1 in South America (00)▫1 in Australia (04)▫1 in Beijing, China (07)▫SSP 2009 at NASA Ames in California

Summer Session Format•Core Course Lectures•Departmental Lectures•Student/Faculty Workshops and Theme Days•Advanced Electives•Individual Assignments•Field Trips & Professional Visits•Team Design Project•Distinguished Panel Series•Numerous social & cultural events

SSP Specialization Departments

Business and Management•Economic rationale for space activities•Management of space projects•Costing of space projects•Business structures and planning•Financial issues•Contract negotiation techniques•New economic and industrial

development in space activities•Technology transfer

Space Systems Engineering• Astrodynamics• Systems engineering requirements• Spacecraft configurations• Propulsion and transportation systems• Life support systems• Space robotics• Space ports• Attitude/orbit determination and control• Power and thermal control• Spacecraft structures• Mission design

Satellite Applications•Telecommunication fundamentals•Communication systems and applications•Remote sensing fundamentals•Satellite payloads and sensors•Remote sensing applications•Global navigation satellite systems

(GNSS)•The telecommunication industry•Geographic information systems (GIS)

Physical Sciences•The electromagnetic spectrum•Cosmology•Composition of the solar system•The Sun and the space environment•Earth’s magnetic field and

solar/terrestrial interactions•Microgravity•Orbital debris modeling

Space Law & Policy•Political rationale for space activities•Principles of international law•UN treaties on space•National and international

telecommunications regulations•Evolution of world space agencies and

programs•Remote sensing and data distribution policies•Launch insurance and liability•Export and import controls

Space Life Sciences• Social, cultural, physiological, and

psychological impacts of space travel• Impact of long-duration microgravity habitation

on the human body ▫bone and muscle physiology▫blood volume▫exposure to radiation

• Human spacecraft design (life-support systems)• Extravehicular activity• Space medicine• Space biology and astrobiology

Space and Society•The origins of the space age•Cultural rationales for space activities•The space flight revolution•The “cosmicization” of humankind•Searching for extraterrestrial intelligence•Space culture and pop culture•Sustainable development•Ethics•Space futures

Hands-On Academics

Distinguished Lecturers

Professional Site Visits

Sharing Culture

Just Plain Fun

Example Workshop:Space Station Design•Station purpose•Mission duration and crew size•Station component design•Station orbit location•Launch system•Life onboard, science onboard•Mission control professionals•Identify off-nominal situations

Example Department Activities:Satellite Applications•GPS exercise•Field visit to remote sensing facility (ICC)•SAR, GIS, LiDAR workshops•Telecommunications industry workshop•Ground truthing field activity•Student presentations

•Departmental dinner

Nationalities of SSP Graduates

Student Background

Student Background

Applying to ISU SSP ‘09•Eligibility:

▫Canadian citizen or permanent resident▫Must have an undergraduate degree at the

time of application, or be a medical or law student

▫Must be enrolled/accepted into post-graduate degree OR be a practicing professional

▫Conversant in English and preferably also in a second language

▫Candidates from any academic discipline are welcome and encouraged to apply

Applying to ISU SSP ‘09•Selection criteria:

▫Academic performance▫Language proficiency▫Letters of reference▫Essay▫Space related activities and interests▫International/intercultural/interdisciplinary

experience▫Demonstrated leadership, motivation and

teamwork

Applying to ISU SSP ‘09•The Canadian Foundation for ISU (CFISU)

provides between 8 & 12 full scholarships each year to the SSP▫Includes airfare, housing, and meals▫A value of > $25,000

•Applicants must apply on-line at the ISU web-site, and send supporting information to CFISU

Complete application includes• Completed on-line:

▫Application form ▫Essay

• Sent to CFISU:▫Page 1 of on-line application▫Proof of citizenship or permanent residency▫Transcripts (directly from your University)▫Two (sealed) letters of evaluation▫Language competency evaluation form▫$25 application fee

• Due Date: January 30th, 2009

Websites•On-Line Applications:

▫http://www.isunet.edu•Association of Universities and Colleges

of Canada▫http://www.aucc.ca/programs/intprograms/

space_e.html•CFISU

▫http://www.cfisu.ca/english/ssp09.htm•CAISU

▫http://www.caisu.org