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Advanced Space Academy

Ages 15-18*

* Eighteen-year-olds may not attend a youth program beyond the summer of their high school graduation year.

Program Length

6 Day

Tuition	6 Day
Spring 2010	$849
Summer 2010	$999

There is an additional $50
non-refundable registration fee

6 Day Tracks

Advanced Space Academy - During this weeklong program, trainees get hands-on training, as well as learn about the mental, emotional and physical demands astronauts must face. Fields of study include Engineering, Space Technology and Aerospace Science. Choose your path of study from one of the racks listed below.

The Advanced Space Academy program is a college-accredited program through the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH). All Advanced Space Academy participants will earn one hour of Freshman-level general science credit from UAH. Click here for details on activities and tracks.

Pilot Track

Pilot Track Trainees will take command of an orbiter on its mission to the International Space Station. A pilot will follow the checklist procedures of a mission and be required to make emergency decisions while monitoring and commanding the crew.

Pilot SCUBA Track

Pilot SCUBA Track Trainees will continue to command or pilot an orbiter and learn Aerospace Science as their core basis for training, but instead of flying the Flight Simulators at Aviation Challenge, they will SCUBA dive* in the UAT SCUBA tank.

Mission Specialist Track

Mission Specialist Track Trainees will be instructed in the engineering and design of the shuttle and space station. Repairs to either will be conducted in the UAT SCUBA Tank creating and accurate environment for the space walk.

*Certain medical conditions may prohibit camper from diving.

A typical day at Advanced Space Academy

Ages 15-18

6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Campers wake up and prepare for the day. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria. Pre-ordered clothing is received by campers on Monday morning. Various mission related activities are performed such as: Mission training for up to four missions, culminating into an extended duration mission (EDM) - a full six hour experience. Design, build, and launch your own rocket toward space from our rocket launch facility. Area 51 is a team building and leadership high ropes course where campers learn different forms of communication.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Our campers participate in exciting astronaut training simulators such as: MAT (Multi-Axis trainer): Feel what it's like to tumble and spin in space! 5DF Chair (Five Degrees of Freedom): Experience the challenge of working in a frictionless environment like space! 1/6th Gravity Chair: The moon has 1/6^th of the Earth's gravity, so if you weight 120 pounds on Earth you would only weigh 20 pounds on the moon - what would it feel like to walk on the moon? You'll find out on this simulator! MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit): This simulator prepares astronauts for working during extra-vehicular activity. Simulated Shuttle Mission Training: During this time campers learn about and prepare for their simulate shuttle mission. Our Mission Center Complex hosts five shuttle simulators, five mission controls, and a mock-up of the International Space Station.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.	During and after lunch campers have time to socialize and participate in team building activities.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Our campers participate in space related activities such as: All campers get to experience the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which is recognized as one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight hardware museums in the world. Campers participate in activities that teach the history of manned space flight while observing real artifacts from the space program. Build your own rocket and launch it toward space from our rocket launch facility. Campers are treated to a visit from special speakers such as German rocket scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Dinner is served in our cafeteria.
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.	Our campers participate in additional space related activities such as: Campers watch space related movies in our state of the art IMAX^® and 3-D Digital theaters. Specialized briefings pertaining to shuttle missions (ECLSS, Orbiter, Crew Systems, and Payload Operations) prepare the campers for their ultimate goal- the EDM. Participate in an extreme museum hunt, competing against other teams to collect space facts by examining the coolest space artifacts in the world. Pit your knowledge against the other teams in Space Bowl. Who learned the most this week? See the stars, moon, and planets through a night telescope.
9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.	Campers return to their dormitory and prepare for bed.
10:00 p.m.	Lights Out!

Activities will vary based on track selection. Listed below are the split activities that Pilot and Mission Specialist can expect during their week.

Pilot

In choosing the pilot track your mission is to learn and perform shuttle operations. Activities include:

Simulate flying a trainer jet and master the skills American shuttle pilots use to land the orbiter.

Mission Specialist

In the Mission Specialist track your mission is to perform an Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA).

Campers experience the challenge of working in neutral buoyancy in our Underwater Astronaut Trainer (UAT), just like the real astronauts.

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