Global Space School (GSS) is a programme run by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), where students from all around the world work together on a space mission from start to finish, learning about space along the way. In a normal year, students would travel to Houston and work properly hands-on, even using a staged Mission Control to run their mission, but, as we all know, 2021 was not a normal year, so this year’s Space School was run virtually over Zoom calls. This meant that over 50 students from around the world had to get together, despite time zones, for two weeks. For me, these meetings mostly happened during the early hours of the morning - and I loved every minute of it!

This year, our task was to think of, plan, and develop a mission to an asteroid for mining (extracting materials from it), manufacturing (producing products on it) or transportation (transporting goods to and from it), in teams of 5-8 other students from around the world plus an assigned mentor. From how we got there to how we kept the crew alive, and even calculating the costs involved, we had to do it all. Along the way, we got to listen to lectures by experts, have fun with group activities, and this year, we even had a Q&A with Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut!

Honestly, I enjoyed it so much that I’m seriously considering a space-related job now.

I had so much fun, learned so much, and I highly recommend the programme to anyone interested in space or a career in space industries. When the chance comes around next year, don’t wait but apply as soon as you can; this is one of the most amazing things I’ve done, and I’m sure it will be for you too.

Conor Eager, Yr12