Never too young to learn about space, says Japanese astronaut

The pioneering astronaut and scientist who helped to launch Japan’s space exploration and school programmes have said it is never too early to educate youngsters about life among the stars.

Shinichi Nakasuka, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics, played a key role in getting Japanese students to take part in space-related contests more than two decades. Pawan Singh / The National

ABU DHABI // It is never too early to educate youngsters about life among the stars, according to a pioneering astronaut and a leading scientist from Japan.

Competitions engaging students at all levels to understand the effects of living and working in space were the best way to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, said Shinichi Nakasuka, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the University of Tokyo.

“It should not just be about study and books, students need to develop, design and fabricate,” he said.

A leading figure in developing small satellites, Prof Nakasuka was instrumental in getting Japanese students to participate in space-related competitions more than two decades ago.

When the University of Tokyo started competitions in 1993 to design satellites, Japan was then lagging far behind the United States and Europe in that field, he said.

“US universities were already designing satellites and many doubted that Japan could create its own,” said Prof Nakasuka.

By 1999 Japanese students were taking part in the CanSat competition to design and build satellites by using soft-drink cans.

The experience gained from such competitions led the University of Tokyo to launch the world’s first CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite, into space in 2003. Since then Japanese universities have launched 34 CubeSats into orbit, playing an important role in developing space education and business.

Dr Nakasuka said the UAE’s National Space Programme contests could have a similar effect in advancing the country’s outer space ambitions.

The programme features two competitions: Genes in Space, which challenges high schoolers to create a DNA analysis experiment, and the Satellite Launch project, in which university teams will build a CubeSat satellite.

The winners of the contests will get to watch their creations blast off on a rocket to the International Space Station (ISS).

“These types of experiments light up students’ eyes,” said Naoko Yamazaki, the second woman and first mother from Japan to be launched into space.

During her 15 days aboard the ISS, Ms Yamazaki said she had the chance to conduct students’ experiments under the Try Zero-G initiative of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

These included walking a tightrope, putting in eye drops, performing push-ups on the ceiling, arm wrestling, and flying a “magic carpet”.

“We had very enthusiastic reactions and have seen how it inspires the younger generation,” she said.

Another educational experiment Ms Yamazaki ran in Kibo, Japan’s experimental ISS module, was growing seeds planted by students from across Asia.

“This was a great education tool, as the children were able to see the roots grow in circles rather than straight down,” said Ms Yamazaki, adding that the Genes in Space competition was a good way to pique students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by showing their practical application in space research.

“They can take the research we have done in space – such as looking at genes responsible for ageing – further or come up with a completely new concept in gene research. It’s a great inspirational tool to motivate.”

The Genes in Space competition (genesinspace.org) is accepting participation applications from students in Grades 7 to 12 until February 3.

To find out more and to get involved follow #theuaespacestory on social media or visit thenational.ae/uae/genes-in-space.