Überflieger - A Student Competition for ISS Experiments

Paper number

IAC-17,E1,3,12,x37659

Author

Mr. Johannes Weppler, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Carie Lemack, DreamUp, PBC, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Tobias Steinpilz, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Gregor Musiolik, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Maximilian Kruß, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Tunahan Demirci, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Felix Jungmann, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Anna Krämer, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Jonas Tappe, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Manfred Aderholz, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Jens Teiser, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Gerhard Wurm, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Tamara E. Koch, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Yannik Schaper, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Robin Nowok, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Anna Beck, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Oliver Christ, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Philomena-Theresa Genzel, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Miles Lindner, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Yvonne Matschey, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Diego Mederos Leber, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Susanne Rempt, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Felix Schmuck, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Björn Winkler, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Frank E. Brenker, University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Franziska Hild, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Kira Grunwald, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Manfred Ehresmann, Institute of Space Systems, Universität Stuttgart, Germany

Coauthor

Ms. Saskia Sütterlin, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Nicolas Heinz, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Sinan Alp Aslan, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Florian Grabi, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Moritz Sauer, KSat e.V., Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Robin Schweigert, KSat e.V., Germany

Year

2017

Abstract

Motivating the next generation of space explorers is one important task of a space agency. In order to maintain a skillful workforce in the field of aerospace engineering and related natural sciences, it is essential to get in contact with young people of all ages and to show them what the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) can offer to them. The German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany’s national space agency, is doing exactly this. With activities like DLR\_next, the DLR\_School\_Labs or the STERN and REXUS/BEXUS programs, it is engaging potential future engineers and scientists of all ages. 
Astronaut missions give these educational activities a special boost. The public attention they generate greatly enhances the impact of existing STEM programs and offers a special opportunity to attract student interest in unique ways.  For example, German Astronaut Alexander Gerst’s 2014 Blue Dot mission with the European Space Agency (ESA) included programs like Beschützer der Erde and Columbus Eye to leverage International Space Station (ISS) capabilities for educational purposes. 
Astronaut Gerst will be flying to the ISS again in 2018. In preparation for his mission, last December DLR and the German Physical Society (DPG) launched Überflieger, a competition for university students (undergraduate and graduate) to develop and build their own microgravity experiment. In a stepwise process, experts will select three teams of students whose research will be launched to the ISS during Astronaut Gerst’s 2018 mission. 
Überflieger is a first-of-its-kind program open to students from all German universities. During a period of about 15 months, the students will undergo a full project cycle involving premier hands-on experience in developing and building space hardware. They will be supported by technical experts and receive partial funding from DLR. Members of the three winning teams will also have the opportunity to witness their payloads blast off to space at the rocket launch site, an inspiring and motivational experience. 
Überflieger is made possible through a partnership with DreamUp, working in conjunction with NanoRacks, LLC and its Space Act Agreement with NASA. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy based on a resolution by the German Bundestag. This paper describes the current status of the program.

Abstract document

IAC-17,E1,3,12,x37659.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,E1,3,12,x37659.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.