Summer University

Human Spaceflight and Exploration, 7.5 ECTS (Bemannad rymdfart, 7,5 hp)

5-23 August 2013, Kiruna, Sweden

Application code UMU-95317, Summer 2013

The course is open for late applications.

This course is given in English by the Department of Physics at Umeå University. There is no tuition fee for this course for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. We have reserved student rooms in Kiruna and the application form for accommodation will be published here during the spring 2013. Follow the course on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kirunacourse

The aim of the course is to educate participants about human spaceflight and exploration from a European perspective. Course contents:
History of human spaceflight
The space environment and its effects on the human body in space
Microgravity research in drop towers, parabolic flights, rockets & spacecraft
Astronaut selection and training
Life support systems and space suits
Exploration of the solar system
Human space exploration
Space tourism
Visits to the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and the European Space Range, Esrange
Practical exercises: building and launching a model rocket, computer-based radiation exercise
Project
A student rides the Spaceball as part of the course in 2010 (Photo: Carol Norberg)

Programme 2013

Planning is currently underway for the summer course of 2013. The schedule for the last course in 2011 can be downloaded here: Course schedule "Human Spaceflight and Exploration 2011"

The course will take place in the exotic town of Kiruna, which lies in the north of Sweden, above the Arctic Circle, about 600 km from the central Umeå campus. The town's northerly location makes it an ideal place to observe auroral phenomena during the winter, which has lead to the establishment of space research organisations, industry and space-related education in the area. In August the summer days are very long. It is often said that the town lies in the heart of Europe's last wilderness, and there is no doubt that Kiruna has much to offer anyone who likes the outdoor life.

This course is suitable for students from Sweden and abroad studying on traditional science and engineering degree programmes as well as medical students, school teachers and other young professionals interested in technology and space.

For students from the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland there is NO fee for the course, however students must cover their own travel and living costs while attending. For more information about the course, contact the course coordinator via e-mail at the address: summer@space.umu.se

Making an Application (Application code UMU-95317) Although the application period ended on 15 March, late applications can now be made and are processed in the order in which they are received. It is expected that about 35 students will participate. To be eligible to take the course you should fulfil the general requirements of eligibility for university studies. For foreign students these are:

A completed Upper Secondary Education, e.g. Abitur, Baccalaureate, GCSE O and A levels and corresponding to the Swedish National Programme (gymnasium) is required
Proof of proficiency in English (8 years of English in school is sufficient)

In addition students must fulfil the special eligibility requirement for this course which is a physics major at upper secondary school level or have similar qualifications. All applications must be made on-line. You will be directed to the appropriate website by clicking here: On-line application . Note that the course belongs to the period Summer 2013. Once you have entered your on-line application you need to print out a cover sheet and send it together with your supporting documents to the address given. Any paper clips, staplers and bindings delay the handling of your application so please avoid using them. On arrival the documents are sorted and sent to the International Admissions Office at the university. You will be able to check that your supporting documents have been registered on 'Your pages/Your application'. Note that all the applications are processed by the international admissions office and that the physics department plays no role in the selection process. To be accepted by the admissions office it is imperative that you send the correct documentation to support your application. In order to expedite the processing of your application, they require a copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photograph, or some other identification document. You must prove that you fulfil the general and special eligibility requirements which for most people will mean sending witnessed copies of your school leaving certificates, NOT proof of university studies. To witness the documents a person whose full name and contact information are given, should sign the copy writing that it is a true copy of the original. This person's contact details should also be given in case the admissions office needs to contact him/her. All copies submitted should be witnessed. Original letters written by university tutors are sometimes acceptable if the certificates are not available. More detailed information regarding how you can fulfil the general requirements of eligibility if you have GCE- and GCSE-qualifications from the United Kingdom.

Travel and Accommodation

We have reserved rooms close to the city centre, which will be available for successful applicants on a first come first served basis for a cost of about 3500 Swedish kronor for 3 weeks.

Students should plan to arrive in Kiruna no later than Sunday 4 August. The course will end at 12 noon on Friday 23 August. Kiruna is accessed by plane in approximately 90 minutes from Arlanda, Stockholm's international airport ( Scandinavian Airlines ), by train or by bus from various locations in Sweden. For many foreign students the cheapest route to Kiruna is a cheap flight, with for example Ryan Air, to Skavsta or Västerås, airports in the vicinity of Stockholm, followed by the overnight train to Kiruna. There are some airport busses between the Kiruna airport and the town centre ( Click here for bus information).

The students of the class of 2011 (Photo:Rick McGregor)

Literature list

Note that you do not need to buy these books in order to take the course!

Human Spaceflight and Exploration, Ed. Carol Norberg, 2013, Springer/Praxis

The Space Environment, Alan C. Tribble, 2003, Princeton University Press

Fundamentals of Space Medicine, Gilles Clément, 2005, Springer

Russian Spacesuits, Isaak P. Abramov and Å. Ingemar Skoog, 2003, Springer-Praxis.

US Spacesuits, Kenneth S. Thomas and Harold J. McMann, 2006, Springer-Praxis.

Destination Space, Kenny Kemp, 2007, Virgin Books

Course coordinator: Dr. Carol Norberg, Reader in Space Physics
Page updated 25 March 2013