Week #3 of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2025 (SHSSP25) marked a significant milestone: the conclusion of the core lecture phase. On Monday, the participants completed their final exam, which included both a quiz and an essay, testing their newfound space knowledge with great determination and enthusiasm.
With the core lectures behind them, the participants delved deeper into three elective workshops, aligned with their interests and aspirations. The first elective, “Space Tourism: The Regulatory and Policy Response to Risk in Private Human Spaceflight,” was led by Adjunct Professor Michael Davis and Darcy Watson. This workshop explored the rewards, risks, and safety of space tourism for entrepreneurs, space operators, and policymakers. Through interactive discussions, participants had the opportunity to weigh in on the critical issues shaping this field.
The second elective workshop “Astronaut Performance and Selection” was led by Dr. Malica Schmidt and Thomas Mueller. This workshop was inspired by the requirements placed on astronauts operating in challenging and isolated environments and included activities derived from astronaut selection processes. The session provided the participants with a unique hands-on experience, combining cognitive and physical challenges. This not only gave them an insight into the mental and physical demands of astronaut selections, but also fostered their teamwork and communication skills for their everyday life.
Elective Workshop on Astronaut Performance and Selection
The third workshop, “Space Resources: What, Why, Where, and How,” with Dr. Matthew Shaw, offered a deep dive into the concept of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in space. This workshop explored how we might harness resources like minerals from the Moon, Mars, or asteroids to support long-term space missions. Participants took part in collaborative activities, developing strategies for utilizing space-based resources that could play a crucial role in the sustainability of future space exploration.
Tuesday marked the start into the uninterrupted Team Project phase. This phase will continue throughout the remainder of the program and represents the second critical milestone for the participants to apply their newly gained interdisciplinary space knowledge and collaborate intensively on their project.
In the afternoon, participants visited the Australian Space Discovery Center, which included interactive exhibits on Earth observation and space exploration, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This experience also took them to the Responsive Space Operations Centre at Saber Astronautics, offering a glimpse into the operations of space missions in real time.
Professional visit to the Australian Space Discovery Center
The day culminated in an inspiring Entrepreneurship Panel at the Innovation and Collaboration Centre, featuring space startup founders Kelly Yeoh, Harrison Box, and Lloyd Jacobs Lopez. They shared their entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the rewards and challenges of building companies in the space sector. Craig Jones introduced the panel, and Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom moderated, leading to an engaging discussion about the future of space entrepreneurship and the opportunities awaiting the next generation of space leaders.
The week ended with a fun and creative celebration—the Space Masquerade. Participants showed impressive, space-themed costumes from representations of the solar system and white/black holes to NASA employees and even Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Participants with their costumes during the Space Masquerade
Looking back on Week #3, it was clear that the pace of learning, hands-on experiences, and professional networking accelerated. As we look ahead, the momentum continues to build, and the participants are more determined than ever to aim high—because, in the world of space exploration, the sky is just the beginning!
Written by Dr. Malica Schmidt, SHSSP25 Instructor and Teaching Associate
