Future Skills Camp Launches the Space Systems Education Program

WorldSkills Russia, WorldSkills Ghana, and Valles Mariners, an Indian aerospace company have launched a cross-training programme in Space Systems Engineering. The international, inter-university, digital training programme is yet another milestone in the evolution of Future Skills. The instructors are Alexander Makarov, Head of the Aerospace Lab at the Godovikov Polytechnic College; Mamudu Hamidu, Technical Delegate of WorldSkills Ghana and a lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University; Jayakumar Venkatesan, CEO of Valles Marineris International Private Limited India, Visionary Board Member of Upgreat Technology Contests Russia.

'Today, like never before, we should bring together the efforts of as many people from as many countries as possible to meet the full range of challenges in space engineering, such as conquering outer space and exploring its depths; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence; colonizing other planets; research beyond the Earth; creating new inventions and finding new sources of energy. Space satellites monitor emergencies (fires, floods, marine and air search and rescue, etc.), and provide telecommunication and navigation services. This list is by no means exhaustive. Every year, the aerospace industry expands into new areas related to neural networks, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. To facilitate this, we require a huge team of young professionals from many countries. Very soon, they will likely face challenges in the development of humanity and even its survival', Alexander Makarov said.

The training programme consists of 12 classes (6 lectures and 6 seminars) divided into 6 modules: 

·       Simulating spacecraft dynamics based on celestial mechanics and space engineering

·       Mission control and flight data processing

·       3D spacecraft design

·       Software architecture and Programming tools

·       Spacecraft manufacturing, maintenance, and adaptation

·       Spacecraft testing

'WorldSkills is all about skills development. Future Skills Camp is a state-of-the-art programme for young professionals delivered by WorldSkills Russia. It is intended to advance their skills and the national economy. The key aspect of the training is to learn how to build 3D models, set up sensors on the model, and analyze their outputs. Jointly with other countries, we have created a training programme over 240 hours long. The programme objective is to identify the relations between the aerospace industry and other scientific fields. The programme will facilitate young professionals, especially in Africa, to take a closer look at the industry, and learn its fundamentals. Clearly, the young professionals are eager to learn. The key issue is allocating the required resources. We are ready to do so, to teach the students the basics of simulation to enable them to build more complex models in the future', noted Mamudu Hamidu.

After the final exam, the students earn quadripartite certificates and skills passports.

'The COVID-19 outbreak has clearly demonstrated the significance of digitalization in science and technology, and its impact on education during the global lock-down. Today, efficient digitalization is an absolute must in the field of education. At the new Future Skills Camp, we are building the Space Systems programme jointly with our colleagues from around the globe, and it's really exceeding our expectations!', said Jayakumar Venkatesan in his welcome address.

Students from 18 institutions of Belarus, Brazil, Ghana, India, Kazakhstan, and Russia have joined the program. These institutions are Godovikov Polytechnic College; Moscow Aviation Institute; MIREA – Russian Technical University, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool; Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology; University of Ghana; University of Cape Coast; Valley View University; Kumasi Technical University; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; Ashesi University; Ghana Communication Technology University; West Africa Senior High School; University of Education, Winneba, Accra Technical University (Ghana); Baranavichy State University; Kazakh National University; and Louis Cruls Astronomy Club (Brazil).