Orbit Your Thesis!
In brief
This programme has been consolidated with the other “Your Thesis!” and the PETRI programmes into the ESA Academy experiment programme to adapt the approach of ESA Academy to the increased demand in trainings and practical opportunities in space education. If you are interested in opportunities as described below, please visit the ESA Academy Experiments programme webpage or the current opportunities webpage of ESA Academy.
In-depth
Gravity plays a critical role in many phenomena and technological processes, and our understanding of the impact it has on various experiments is continually growing. Performing an experiment in microgravity can provide insight into the natural phenomena, and contribute to technological improvements and advancements.
The Orbit Your Thesis! programme gives master and PhD candidates the opportunity to fly a scientific experiment in microgravity conditions onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Successful applicants are given the opportunity to design, build and operate a fully autonomous experiment that will stay onboard the ISS for a period lasting up to 4 months in the “ICE Cubes” facility.
The Orbit Your Thesis! programme provides students teams with a unique opportunity to place an experiment, of their own design, on-board the ISS. Where the experiment can operate within the high-quality, long duration microgravity environment aboard the ISS. Teams are not limited to only gravity related experimentation. Previous teams have taken advantage of the space environment to explore technological advancements quantum technology and measurements of magnetic fields.
Teams accepted into the programme are guided and supported by ESA experts and members of the European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA) as they navigate through all stages of the project. From the initial stages of design through to the operation and data collection phases of their experiment.
Student teams participating in OYT are encouraged to present their results at international conferences, and publish their results in scientific journals.
ESA Academy, and the OYT programme within provides university students a chance to perform experimental research in facilities not commonly accessible to students.
The programme opens a call for proposals when resources are available. Teams consisting of at least six students may apply with the assistance of an endorsing professor during the call for proposals phase by submitting the necessary documents. The call for proposals can be found online when the call is opened.
Are you interested in participating in the next Orbit Your Thesis! campaign? Read through these pages very carefully to see if you are eligible to apply.
Orbit Your Thesis! is a unique opportunity for university students to conduct their experiments in prolonged microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station. Should the proposed experiment not necessarily require such quality and length of microgravity exposure, students should consider applying for other programmes such as Drop Your Thesis!, Fly Your Thesis! or REXUS/BEXUS.