'Astronaut for a Day' contest to give students a taste of space travel

The Luxembourg Space Agency has launched the second edition of its 'Astronaut for a Day' contest, offering secondary school students a chance to experience a zero-gravity flight and explore career opportunities in the country's growing space sector.​

​The Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) has launched the second edition of their ‘Astronaut for a Day’ contest, aiming to recruit young ambassadors and teach them about space travel, hone their talents, and promote the country’s proliferating space sector. Jointly organised with the European Space Agency (ESA), the programme is available to secondary school students in Luxembourg from the age of 13.

Contest winners will be given insight into several firms and job opportunities in Luxembourg’s space sector. However, the most breathtaking aspect of the programme is likely the zero-gravity test flight that the ten winners get to experience. Nevertheless, all candidates still have to pass physical and mental aptitude tests before embarking on this adventure, same as real astronauts.

Speaking to RTL, LSA CEO Marc Serres explained that a series of conferences and online lectures will be organised to outline developments in Luxembourg’s space sector, including national and international strategies.
Economy Minister Lex Delles further emphasised the sector’s ambition of improving Luxembourg’s economic diversification, labelling it a dynamic domain that manages to unite people with various academic backgrounds and degrees.

In conversation with RTL, Mats Jung, one of the winner’s of the first Astronaut for a Day edition, called the programme a unique and indescribable experience, with expectations more than met. “I would encourage anyone to register, because it really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience”, said Jung.

Alongside the chance of becoming an LSA ambassador, participants will this year also be given a chance to be sponsored by one of the companies associated with the programme.

Source: RTL Today