This Echo is READ ONLY !   NO Un-Authorized Messages Please!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

European Space Agency

Press Release

Opportunities for students in 2003
==================================
24 February 2003

Students interested in space science and technology might like to
check out ESA's education site to see what activities are new or
ongoing in 2003. 

One of the valuable opportunities for students is the chance to take
part in the 2003 annual congress of the International Astronautical
Federation (IAF). Last year, under its Student Participation
Programme, ESA sponsored 220 students to take part in the IAF Congress 
held in Houston, Texas.

This year's venue is in Bremen, Germany and ESA will sponsor 400
students. Those selected will be able to present their own papers,
hear about the most up-to-date developments and meet some of the top
researchers in their field. They will also be able to meet up with
their peers from across the world, as students from Canada, Japan and
the USA will also be present at the Congress.

Students who are new to this programme have until 30 April to register 
while students who have already participated have until 21 February. 
More information and application forms are available on Student 
Participation Programme site.

There is also still time to participate in ESA's Student Space
Exploration and Technology Initiative (SSETI). SSETI's main objective
is to create a network on the internet of students, educational
institutions and organisations to work together on the design,
construction and launch of micro satellites.

Since SSETI began in October 2000, 20 universities from all over
Europe have taken part.. The European Student Earth Orbiter, or ESEO
as the first micro satellite is called, is currently in phase B
development and is expected to be launched by the end of 2004 by a
European Ariane-5 launcher. Students and universites interested in
taking part should check the SSETI site.

These are just some of the ESA initiatives for students that will be
taking place in 2003, to learn more about these and other activities
check ESA's Education and Outreach site. If you have any questions,
please send an e-mail to education{at}esa.int. 

 - End of File -
================

---