Join the team!

Can you imagine what it must be like to finally put theory into practise and build a spacecraft, and then watch the satellite you helped build lift off into space?

If a team from your university joins SSETI you too could be part of a European group of students all with the same aim - to make their dream fly.

Maybe you have never thought about studying science or technology? But now that you can see how rewarding and exciting working in space is, perhaps it is time to think again?

Perhaps science and engineering are not your chosen subjects so you believe there is no place for you in a space mission? Take a look at the SSETI Express team and you will see that more than science and technology are needed to lift a spacecraft off the drawing board and into space.

Student teams with skills in science and engineering are essential but SSETI also needs students with:

• communication skills: to attract sponsors and partners
• legal skills: to draw up the necessary contracts and patents
• organisational skills: to deal with the many administrative issues, coordinate the work and liaise with industry
• IT skills: to build and programme the computers and programmes needed for the spacecraft, the ground segment and to facilitate communication between the teams
• graphic skills: to design publications and websites to attract members and sponsors and to facilitate the work of the team
• writing skills: to prepare PR brochures and articles for the press

What are the benefits?

SSETI will give you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the space sector while still studying at university. You will have the chance to put your ideas into practice, to benefit from working with students in other countries and to gain from the experience of experts in the space sector.

At the same time you will have the chance to work in a team, improve your language skills, make friends with other students, have fun and maybe travel. Representatives of the team meet twice a year at ESTEC in the Netherlands to discuss progress and gain from the experience of ESA experts.

SSETI offers students hands-on work experience, plenty of satisfaction and a lot of fun. But, it also takes time, determination and a willingness to listen and learn from others, whether fellow students or experts.

The students who have worked on SSETI Express feel that all the sacrifices have been worthwhile, as they have gained much from being part of the Programme. Apart from which, how many students get to put on their CV that they have built a spacecraft!

If you would like to know more please contact:

SSETI Programme Management
ESA-ESTEC, EXR-E
Keplerlaan 1
2201AZ Noordwijk ZH

Email: sseti@esa.int