Student Activities before Formosa Satellites Launches

Paper number

IAC-06-E1.3.05

Author

Dr. Jeng-Shing Chern, National Space Organization, Taiwan, China

Coauthor

Dr. Shao-Shing Chen, National Space Organization, Taiwan, China

Coauthor

Dr. Lance Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan, China

Year

2006

Abstract

The series of satellites developed by Taiwan are collectively called Formosa satellites, or equivalently FORMOSATs. FORMOSAT-1 and FORMOSAT-2 had been launched in 1999 and 2004, respectively. Currently the National Space Organization (NSPO) of Taiwan is preparing the launch of FORMOSAT-3. All launch campaigns are performed in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the student activities initiated by NSPO before the launches of FORMOSATs. 
Using FORMOSAT-3 as an example, at about 3 months before shipping the FORMOSAT-3 from Taiwan to the United States for launch campaign, NSPO initiated several competition activities for elementary and high school students. The major activities include five parts: a) Competition of Painting, b) Competition of Planning, c) Competition of Composing, d) Competition of Naming, and e) Music of the Sphere. Before initiating the activities, NSPO prepared a brochure with pictures and descriptions about the purposes, missions and functions of FORMOSAT-3 for every participant. Therefore, we need to distribute many posters and brochures to all elementary and high schools over the whole country. Naturally the events of satellite shipment and launch are widely open to the general public. 
One month before FORMOSAT-3 shipment, all portfolios are sent to a designated Committee for evaluation and selection. The final results have been announced on January 20 with the Award Ceremony held on January 24, 2006. Attached painting (Figure 1) is the first prize of part a) by H. Yeh, Second Grade, Hsinchu Experimental High School. Since FORMOSAT-3 is a constellation of 6 satellites for the enhancement of weather prediction, the painting shows that Taiwan is enriched and much more prosperous after the operations of FORMOSAT-3 in space. In part b), the first prize is a plan entitled “Typhoon Chasing Plan using FORMOSAT-3” by W.-Y. Huang, Sixth Grade, Taoyuan Chinshing Elementary School. A short article entitled “My Wishes to the FRMOSAT-3” by C.-I. Luu, Fifth Grade, Taoyuan Elementary School won the first prize in part c). Then in part d) the first prize went to the name “Paradise-6-Fortune-Sat” by Y.-M. Liu, Fourth Grade, Hsinchu Experimental Elementary School. Finally the part e) “Music of the Sphere” was presented by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra after the Award Ceremony. Figure 1 First prize of part a), painting (I am sorry that the painting cannot be attached. I shall email it to you separately.)

Abstract document

IAC-06-E1.3.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E1.3.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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