A stellar week at Space Academy Singapore

I recently attended the seventh round of Space Academy Singapore (SAS), a five-day space-themed education program offered by SSTA (Singapore Space and Technology Association) and TVI (TriVector International) for teenage students. SAS offers academics, hands-on activities, site visits, and team- building projects focused on engineering of space systems and mission operations. Offered during school holidays, it’s a great opportunity for science-minded students to learn about engineering and the challenges of space. The program is taught by current and former NASA engineers from the U.S. who share
their knowledge and experience, and challenge SAS students.

The week begins with a talk by Dr. Joey Shelton, a dynamic NASA systems engineer with 20 years industry experience. He prepares cadets for the week ahead. Soon, Richard Welch, an experienced pilot takes over to teach the fundamentals of flight dynamics. Richard dramatizes his presentation with real world experiences from flight operations in Alaska and the Caribbean. Brandon Wall, a current NASA modeling and simulation engineer, and nano-satellite lead engineer, introduces cadets to unmanned aerial systems. The first morning finishes with a team challenge. Cadet teams remotely fly a quadro-copter and map-out the terrain, which they can only view through the copter’s TV camera. It’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun as they learn about challenging, remote control operations.

After lunch it’s off to CREST, NTU’s Center for Research in Satellite Technologies. CREST focuses on satellite engineering, including research and development of space technologies for satellite systems. Cadets learn from engineers about NTU’s XSAT Micro-Satellite Project. They learn how a satellite is designed, assembled, launched into space, and what it can do. They actually see the satellite and its components as they are being assembled in the lab, an experience they won’t forget. The day finishes with an Omni- max movie about the Hubble telescope. Cadets later discuss how astronauts were able to perform a very challenging, mission-saving repair on this costly, crippled telescope. This experience brought the challenges of human space flight into stark focus.

Day two is rigorous, and starts with astrodynamics – planet theory, orbits, Kepler’s laws, etc. But it’s not all academics! Soon the students are planning and executing a rover mission. Teams operate an autonomous robot to accomplish a simulated Mars mission. Again, cadets are excited as team competition is keen. The afternoon starts with rocket theory, history, propellants, and propulsion. Then, cadet teams construct water-propelled rockets. They learn about trajectories and determine what their rockets should do. Then it’s out to the field and blast off! Each cadet launches their own rocket and measures the height and trajectory achieved. Back in the classroom they analyze and discuss the data.

On day three it’s minus 5°C at Snow City as cadets prepare for an Arctic challenge. Upon return from the International Space Station their capsule lands in Siberia, catches fire, and crewmembers are hurt. They are plunged into cold and darkness. But, they have been trained, they have supplies, and they know
what to do. Can they do it? Anxious instructors watch over cadet teams as they hatch and execute their survival plans. After the exercise cadets debrief their procedures and techniques, in a warm place! They learn what worked, what didn’t, and why. Fortunately, there’s time for fun, with cadets all bundled up,
careening down the snowy slope arm-in-arm – and everyone survives!

The afternoon is all about satellites, orbits, and what they do – observation, communication, and navigation. Cadets experience a real-time downlink in their classroom as a satellite swiftly streaks overhead Singapore. They have 15 minutes to download data and see Southeast Asian weather in real- time, from space. The day ends in debate. Teams are formed again. One team represents space-faring nations who dominate space; the other team represents equatorial nations who feel they should “own” the geostationary space orbits above their respective countries. Who really “owns” space? Teams build their cases and square off. Each cadet contributes to the debate. There are no winners or losers, but a lot of learners!

Day four is packed with offsite activities. Cadets learn how to work together to accomplish complex tasks and develop confidence in themselves and their team. Thinking, reasoning, leading, compromising, experimenting, and problem solving tax each cadet’s interpersonal skills. They learn how to “cooperate and graduate” under the tutelage of a seasoned instructor. Next, they visit “GE Aviation” to learn about aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul. They learn how a business runs and how leadership, management, and technicians work together to accomplish the technically challenging and critical process of jet engine repair. Many cadets indicated this was their favorite activity. Finally, cadets gather at Red Dynasty Paintball park to use their team skills to defeat alien invaders. By all accounts, the cadets beat back the instructors!

Friday begins with systems engineering and risk management. Design and management of complex projects, concepts of operations, requirements, architecture, integration, testing, and verification are discussed. Trade studies are introduced, and how to do detailed analysis using figures of merit is demonstrated in a classroom project. After lunch instructors cover astronautics, including life sciences and human space flight. A final debate, based on a real-world problem that played out between the Russian and U.S. Space agencies, pits well-honed cadet teams against one another. Each cadet speaks confidently and with conviction. Though there is no correct answer, the objective is achieved. Finally, cadets take a thought-provoking exam base on what they learned. There are no “trick” questions and everyone passes, after a through debrief. Parents arrive at 4 pm to watch their sons and daughters earn their SAS wings and graduate. There are lots of smiles, some sadness, and many friendships made.

SAS offers not only academic rigor and practical knowledge; it also trains young minds in reasoning, leadership and interpersonal skills, public speaking, self-confidence, and teamwork. In essence, SAS builds character. An added benefit is that students learn about engineering and the space industry. SAS
graduates are very well prepared for the working world, and universe beyond.

You can learn more about Space Academy Singapore at www.sas.space.org.sg.