First, they did measurements in the stratosphere with the BEXUS balloon. Two years later, they sent their experiment into space onboard the REXUS rocket. Now they want to share their experience and help younger students who just like them dream of space projects. The members of the DREAM initiative have started recruiting for their Rocket/Balloon.pl programme

Every year, the European Space Agency (ESA), in cooperation with SNSB - the Swedish National Space Board and DLR - the German Space Agency, organises a competition for European students. The entrants must send to ESA descriptions of scientific projects they would like to conduct in the Earth’s atmosphere - in the gondola of the BEXUS balloon or on the board of the REXUS rocket. 

The DREAM project members have the experience of both BEXUS and REXUS experiments, as part of them were involved in the FREDE team, which in 2015 did research into the breakdown of freon compounds in the stratosphere. Two years later, they launched their “space drill” to the altitude of about 90 km.

Now they want to help younger students by encouraging them to take part in a free of charge mentoring programme.- We know what bulk of work is required to develop proper technical documentation for a space project and how much commitment is needed when organising all of its elements - says Mikołaj Podgórski, DREAM member and a graduate of the Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering of WUST. - We want to share our experience because all of us will benefit - students, who will have an opportunity to do their experiment in space, and ourselves, as we hope to expand the group of engineers involved in the development of Wrocław’s space industry.

What can students expect?

Under the mentoring programme Rocket/Balloon.pl, graduates and experienced students of Wrocław University of Science and Technology offer to help younger students to write an application for the European Space Agency and support them at consecutive stages of the work on the project, i.e. development of documentation, organisation of the team, finance and tests, as well as contact with the agency and gaining sponsors.

All interested parties - both groups of students and individuals can apply with Rocket/Balloon.pl. until June 15. The application form must include, among other things, a description of the project they want to carry out and what its scientific purpose is.

The authors of the most interesting ideas will be invited by the organisers to visit the Wrocław Technology Park to present their projects. Two winners will be chosen (for REXUS and BEXUS projects respectively) to subsequently send their entries to the European Space Agency.