Students from School Of The Arts, Victoria Junior College, Hwa Chong Junior College, NUS High School and Republic Polytechnic came together for a 5-day Space Academy Singapore (SAS) course. We were called 4SAS as we were the 4th batch of cadets since the programme launched last year.
The SAS is a joint collaboration by TriVector International together with Singapore Space and Technology Association. This programme was conducted by ex-NASA engineers and it includes classroom lectures, hands-on practical sessions and field trips.
Things that we covered in the lectures did encompass certain topics in these two modules I took, Aerodynamics and Project Management. Aerodynamics was the basics for Unmanned Aerial Platforms and Project Management aided in understanding Systems Engineering and Risk Management. The other topics which were covered were Astrodynamics, Astronautics, Satellites and Communications, Extreme Weather Survival and Rocket Propulsion.
After learning all these theoretical aspects of Space, we got to do some hands-on activities to apply what we’ve learnt. On Unmanned Aerial Platforms, we got to navigate Mars Rovers and Quadracopters. We did not get to see these vehicles while we were navigating them to simulate the conditions the controllers are under. On Systems Engineering, Satellites and Communications, and some other space theory, we were given the chance to debate. On Rocket Propulsion, we constructed our own bottle rockets and launched them to learn about the fuel load’s effect.
For field trips, we started off by playing paintball. It was definitely a great team-bonding session. In Astronautics, one thing we learned about was Astronaut Training. This included micro gravity simulation which can be achieved through scuba diving. 4SAS got to go to the Naval Diving Unit where we scuba dived and did certain tasks under water, which is similar to carrying out these task in space, microgravity. We were also brought to Singtel’s Earth Station to see the application of Satellites and Communications in Singapore. When we were taught Extreme Weather Survival, we were taken to Snow City where we carried out activities in the freezing chamber in nothing but our flight suits and shoes.
It was a once in a life time experience at 4SAS which exposed me to many things I never knew or thought about. Seeing the application of the knowledge gained from 4SAS definitely felt good and rewarding. It has truly sparked an interest in me and given me another area of study to consider going into. Apart from the classes, activities and field trips, many friendships were built with both the instructors and the other cadets. After 4SAS, all the cadets and instructors met up frequently to have fun and show the instructors around Singapore. I’m also part of the youth club now.
Contributed by: TAN SUE-MIN DEBRA (DCA Year 3 Student)