ISU Space Studies Program 2023 open for applications

Every summer the International Space University (ISU) hosts its flagship Space Studies Program (SSP) at a different prestigious space-related location in the world. The 35th edition of this leading professional space education program will be held at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the Aeronautics Institute of Technology (ITA), and the city of São José dos Campos in Brazil.

What is the ISU Space Studies Program?

The ISU Space Studies Program offers an intensive nine-week course hosted each summer in different locations around the world. The SSP provides courses in all space disciplines, as well as hands-on education through workshops and professional visits. The SSP offers a unique curriculum designed specifically for professionals starting or changing direction in their space careers.

The SSP is intended for people working in space-related fields who wish to broaden their knowledge base During the SSP, participants work on team projects to address current and future challenges in the space sector. Since 1988, the SSP program exposes participants to broad new perspectives on the world’s space activities.

SSP Structure

The interdisciplinary curriculum of the SSP, with its emphasis on international cooperation, exposes participants to broad new perspectives on the world’s space activities – perspectives otherwise reserved for those with many years of diverse professional experience. The program is packed with a wide variety of activities, including lectures by renowned experts, hands-on activities and projects, team work and professional visits.

The main elements of the SSP curriculum are the core lecture series, workshops, departments and team projects. All course work at ISU is conducted in English. Each year the program evolves to better meet the needs of the participants and their employers. Participants are strongly encouraged to contribute their own knowledge, experience, ideas, culture and opinions as well as their energy and enthusiasm.

Reflecting on ISU’s pedagogical approach and vision, interest in and respect for different cultures and backgrounds is expected from participants.

What is the International Space University?

The International Space University develops the future leaders of the world space community by providing interdisciplinary educational programs to students and space professionals in an international, intercultural environment.

ISU is the sole university worldwide devoted entirely to space education since 1987.

Today, ISU is made up of a unique network around the world with a Central Campus in Strasbourg, France, with hubs in the USA and the Asia Pacific region, and partnerships with leading space organizations worldwide.

ISU is a 35-year success story with over 5,000 alumni shaping the international space ecosystem in 110 countries, including astronauts and entrepreneurs, along with current and former space industry and government leaders.

The International Space University is a private non-profit institution, formally recognized as an institute of higher education in France by the French Ministry of Education. ISU is also recognized by other agencies and universities.

SSP23 in Brazil

From 26 June until 25 August the Space Studies Program will be hosted for the second time in South America (after SSP 2000 in Valparaiso in Chile) and for the first time in Brazil.

With around 700,000 inhabitants, São José dos Campos is officially the first smart city in Brazil, and is also considered the Capital of the Airplane, because of ITA, DCTA, and dozens of industries of aerospace sector, including the main production facility of world-leading aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Located about 90 km from the state capital of São Paulo. It is one of Brazil’s most prosperous and industrialized cities and a centre of high-tech industries, from the automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics, aeronautics, and space sectors.

In addition to being a smart city, it is also considered one of the safest cities in Brazil and it has a vibrant social scene, perfect for facilitating all requirements for an amazing SSP experience!

See the official SSP23 website here.

ISU scholarships for Dutch and Netherlands-based participants

The ‘Stichting Space Professionals Foundation‘ (SSPF) provides financial support for advanced education in space-related subjects. Its statutory objective is to support space studies in and outside of the Netherlands and to do anything directly or indirectly related or beneficial to space studies, all in the broadest sense of the word. This includes the ISU Space Studies Program.
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Priority is given to its first target group – the Dutch space sector’s (young) professionals – although advanced (PhD, Master) students of space-related programs at Dutch education institutions are also eligible as a secondary target group.

In principle, all applicants wishing to obtain funding for their space-related advanced academic program course will be considered by the SSPF, as long as they meet the program course’s criteria. In exceptional cases, requests by bachelor students will be taken into consideration. An interview may form part of the selection process.

SSP23 Team Project on Space for Smart Cities

One of the four team projects in the last phase of the SSP23 programme will be on the topic of ‘Space for Smart Cities’. This project was initiated by the host city of Sao Jose Dos Campos, and will be chaired by Groundstation.Space space data and smart cities specialist Remco Timmermans.

Check out the outline for this team project here.