Anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in space exploration and who has the opportunity to go to Advanced Space Academy should go. Advanced Space Academy is a camp that high schoolers can attend to learn about the history of space exploration, get up to date on the present, and start formulating ideas for the future.
Advanced Space Academy trainees stay in a 4-story simulated space habitat nestled in the Tennessee Valley of Huntsville, Alabama. They soon gain 6 roommates who room with them for the rest of the week.
During the week at Advanced Space Academy, trainees live like actual astronauts-in-training. Typically, their days start at 7AM Central time, and end around 10PM-11PM Central time. In those 15 to 16 hour days, trainees go to briefings to prepare them for missions, they go on simulators, have three 1-hour missions, and an Extended Duration Mission that lasts 6 hours. Advanced Space Academy trainees also have the opportunity to scuba dive in the UAT. They become neutrally buoyant and simulate what astronauts experience during an EVA (aka spacewalk). Other simulators during the week include the Multi-Axis Trainer and 1/6th gravity chair. Simulators open to the public but also ridden by trainees include G-Force, Space Shot, Mission to Mars and a rock-climbing wall.
Briefings are numerous throughout the week, and inform trainees on the history of space exploration, shuttle systems, and much more.
Also included in the week is Area 51, a physical course that encourages teamwork.
In addition to all of the training trainees receive, they also gain long-lasting friendships through their teammates and dormmates, and can obtain contact information and keep in touch with newfound friends for years after camp ends. Every aspect of every day spent at camp will be remembered for years to come, and camp will become a treasured experience.
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