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| Birgit Locker, left of Austria and Nadia Afrin of Bangladesh lead students into the University Theater for the opening ceremonies for the International Space University Summer Session Program at Cal Poly Pomona. |
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| The delegation from Japan during opening ceremonies for the International Space University Summer Session Program at Cal Poly Pomona. |
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| Dr. Karl Doetsch, President of the International Space University, speaks during opening ceremonies for the International Space University Summer Session Program at Cal Poly Pomona. |
When you think of outer space, Earthly locales that come to mind may include Cape Canaveral, Edwards Air Force Base or the Johnson Space Center. This summer, you can add Cal Poly Pomona to the list.
From June 29 to Aug. 31, Cal Poly Pomona is hosting International Space University's intensive summer session. Roughly 100 young professionals and postgraduate students from 30 countries will live and study at Cal Poly Pomona for nine weeks, learning about outer space issues, then working together to solve design problems. Three Cal Poly Pomona students will participate in the summer session: Bui Linh, a communication student from Hollywood; Gary Davis, an electro-computer engineering student from Orange; and Isaiah Alvarado, an aerospace engineering student from Upland.
International Space University is a university dedicated to international and interdisciplinary education and research for the peaceful development of outer space. Its summer session emphasizes international cooperation and exposes students to a broad perspective of space activities. To accentuate the international focus of the university, summer sessions are held in a different country each year. Other hosts have included Toulouse, France; Montreal, Canada; Valparaiso, Chile; and Kitayushu, Japan.
Media representatives are welcome to attend numerous events, including the program's opening ceremonies on Monday, July 1; neutral buoyancy exercises using scuba equipment on Aug. 5; Rocket Launch Day and a robot competition on Friday, Aug. 9; and closing ceremonies on Aug. 30. Throughout the summer session, students will work on design projects, producing a 100-page report. Students will present those projects on “Astrobiology” and “Enhancing Human Health Using Space Technology” on Aug. 29.
International Space University is also hosting a distinguished lecture series-featuring a virtual who's who in the space community-that will be open to the public. All lectures begin at 8 p.m. in Cal Poly Pomona's Music Recital Hall. Speakers include:
- Phillipe Couillard, chairman and CEO of European Aerospace and Defense Systems Launch Vehicles, will discuss “Ariane Launchers: A European Challenge” on July 3
- Charles Elachi, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will address “Earth Remote Sensing from Space: Results, Opportunities and Challenges” on July 9
- David Southwood, director of science with the European Space Agency, will discuss “The Importance of Space Outreach” on July 31
- Edward Weiler, associate administrator for Space Science with NASA, will speak on “The Exploration of Mars” on Aug. 7
- An International Astronaut's Panel will describe “Living and Working in Space” on Aug. 12.
Cal Poly Pomona is located at 3801 W. Temple Ave. in Pomona. Daily parking permits are required, and can be purchased for $1.50 from the Visitor Information Booth. For more information, call Uyen Mai at (909) 869-5331 or Morla Milne at (909) 869-4862.