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Draft:Astronaut for a Day

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Astronaut for a Day, a groundbreaking initiative launched by the Portuguese Space Agency in 2022[1][2][3], provides a unique opportunity for young students in the Portuguese education system. It allows them to experience the same sensations as astronauts in space aboard a zero-gravity flight, an accomplishment never offered to students.

Modeled after the astronaut selection processes of renowned space agencies, this national competition is not for the faint-hearted. It's a rigorous journey designed for students aged 14-18 in the Portuguese education system. The evaluation process, which includes five elimination phases, tests candidates' creativity, communication skills, and logical, spatial, and physical abilities. Only the most exceptional make it to the final phase, where they get to experience a parabolic flight on an Airbus operated by Novespace A310.

A group of people stand and sit inside a plane, wearing blue jumpsuits and look at colour balls that float thanks to the absence of gravity
The finalists of the Class of 2023, the second edition of the Portuguese Astronaut for a Day with the Novespace team and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer

In the first three editions of Astronaut for a Day (2022[1][4][5], 2023[6][7][8][9][10], and 2024[11]), the Portuguese Space Agency received over 1,600 applications nationwide[12]. This initiative has achieved extraordinary success and is crucial to the Agency's strategy of fostering interest in STEM fields, particularly in space studies and careers among younger generations. So far, Portugal has 61 "astronauts," a number expected to reach 91 students on September 29, the date of the final phase of the latest edition.

After the flight, each finalist becomes an ambassador[13] for the initiative. They represent the Portuguese Space Agency and promote the activity within their school communities throughout the following academic year. This role not only enhances their leadership skills but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for space exploration.

The Portuguese Space Agency organises the Astronaut for a Day initiative in collaboration with Ciência Viva, the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto, and the Faculty of Human Kinetics of the University of Lisbon, which prepare the tests candidates undergo during the various elimination phases. The final phase occurs at Beja Air Base, in partnership with the Portuguese Air Force[14], which hosts the Airbus A310 and the finalists for a series of preparatory activities.

In the first two years, the activities offered to students during the final phase included a lecture by European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer.

The Portuguese Space Agency considers Astronaut for a Day as one of its primary educational activities[15], providing an opportunity to break down barriers for all students across Portugal. With the democratisation of access to space opportunities in mind, the Agency aims to inspire curiosity about the space sector in various communities, ensuring that the wonders of Space are accessible to all aspiring young minds.

Astronaut for a Day is an original initiative of the Portuguese Space Agency, marking the first time in history that young students have been offered the opportunity to experience a zero-gravity flight. Beyond its success within the Portuguese community, the Space Agencies of Luxembourg[16][17][18][19]and Estonia[20][21][22][23] have already replicated the initiative.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Thirty Portuguese students will be astronauts for a day". Portuguese Space Agency. 2022-03-18. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  2. ^ ""Zero-G Portugal - Astronauta por um Dia" vai permitir que jovens experimentem gravidade zero". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  3. ^ Oliveira, Carlos (2022-11-16). "Primeiro vôo parabólico em Portugal". AstroPT - Informação e Educação Científica (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  4. ^ Lemos, Pedro (2022-09-04). "There will be "Astronauts for a day" in Beja". Sul Informação. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  5. ^ Serafim, Teresa (2022-09-16). ""Foi indescritível! Andámos a flutuar": alunos portugueses foram astronautas por um dia". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  6. ^ "Second edition of Zero-G Portugal – Astronaut for a Day with record number of applications". Portuguese Space Agency. 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  7. ^ SAPO. "Finalistas da segunda edição da iniciativa "Astronauta por um Dia" já estão escolhidos". SAPO Tek (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  8. ^ "Another chance to be an "Astronaut for a day"". cloud.theportugalnews.com. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  9. ^ AcoresPRO.com, Luis Viveiros-https://www linkedin com/in/luisviveiros-official-; Azores, Space (2023-09-04). "Zero-G Portugal - 5 young Azoreans were "Astronauts for a Day"". Space Azores. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  10. ^ Informação, Sul (2023-07-09). "young people from Faro and de Beja will debut as "Astronauts for a Day"". Sul Informação. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  11. ^ "More than 600 young Portuguese want to be Astronauts for a Day". Portuguese Space Agency. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ^ Mendes, Filipa Almeida (2024-01-19). "Astronauta português por um dia? Inscrições já arrancaram". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ^ SAPO. "Astronauta por um Dia está de regresso para levar 30 jovens estudantes num voo de gravidade zero". SAPO Tek (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  14. ^ WEBTEAM, FAP-. "Força Aérea Portuguesa". www.emfa.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  15. ^ "Giving Space to young people — and betting on their future". Portuguese Space Agency. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  16. ^ "HOME | Astronaut for a Day - Luxembourg". Astronaut for a Day. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  17. ^ Luxembourg Space Agency (2023-12-14). Astronaut for a Day Luxembourg - Zero G flight. Retrieved 2024-08-31 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Astronaut for a Day competition : the 35 winners completed the first zero-gravity flight from Luxembourg". space-agency.public.lu. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  19. ^ "Who are Luxembourg's Young Space Ambassadors?". space-agency.public.lu. 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  20. ^ "Avaleht". Estronaut (in Estonian). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  21. ^ "Noor tartlane osutus üheks kümnest estronaudist, kes lendab kaaluta olekut kogema". Tartu Postimees (in Estonian). 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  22. ^ "Estronaudiks pürib kümme Tartu noort". Tartu Postimees (in Estonian). 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  23. ^ "AHHAA saadab kümme kooliõpilast kaaluta oleku lennule". tartu.ee (in Estonian). 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
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Category:Science and technology in Portugal

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