Space exploration from a student’s point of view - Experiences from working with REXUS II and BEXUS IV
- Paper number
IAC-06-E1.1.06
- Author
Ms. Christina Lövgren, Student, Sweden
- Coauthor
Ms. Emma Holst, Student, Sweden
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The department of space science in Kiruna annually makes it possible for students to participate in either a rocket launch or a balloon flight. The students are instructed to create an experiment, a passive or an active one that tests one ore more parameters in the atmosphere. RAT (Radiation and Temperature) is one of these experiments that were launched with the REXUS II rocket in October 2004. Its purpose was to test a radiation sensitive transistor called RadFET that is going to be used in the ongoing SSETI (Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative) project the ESEO (European Student Earth Orbiter) satellite. It purpose was also to give measurements of the radiation and temperature inside and outside the rocket during the flight for further analysis. Another experiment is NEMO (Nordic Experiment Measuring Ozone) that is going to be sent up with the BEXUS IV ballon in March 2006. This experiment’s goal is to obtain measurements of the ozone concentration at different altitudes and that it will be possible to relate a certain concentration to a certain altitude. Important lessons learned in these two students experiments described are many. One of these is that you should be well-structured in your work, you should always keep notes and record of the work and the decisions made during the project. Another lesson is to always calculate for the worst case scenario, do we have some way to perform measurements if this part fails or can we obtain measurements in some other way. And last but not least, have a good communication with your fellow project members so that any problems concerning the project can be spotted early. It is really important that students get the opportunity to get practical experiences of science experiments before they finish their academic studies. Otherwise it will be really difficult to implement your knowledge in the practical work that waits later in your life as a scientist or an engineer. Another really important factor in projects for students is giving them a chance to get the ability to cooperate with other people, share ideas and create connections with established scientists. A rocket launch and a balloon flight are valuable experiences for a student and definitely something you can take with you later in life.
- Abstract document