"Exoplanets: Discovering and characterizing Earth type planets", Summer School Alpbach 2009

Held annually since 1975, the Alpbach Summer School enjoys a long tradition in providing in-depth teaching on aspects of space science and space technology with the aim of advancing the training and working experience of European graduates, post-graduate students, young scientists and engineers.

Student teams will develop space mission concepts based on the theme of the Summer School. The 2009 Summer School Alpbach will focus on the theme "Exoplanets: Discovering and Characterizing Earth Type Planets". July 21 - 30, Alpbach/Tyrol - Austria

The purpose of the Summer School is to foster the practical application of knowledge derived from lectures, to develop organisational and team-work skills and to encourage creativity. Teams will compete to design the best project, judged by an independent jury. The teams themselves are responsible for the selection of the subject of the project and for the team structure and working methods.

The Summer School is open to 60 selected young science and/or engineering students and graduates from among the member and cooperating states of the European Space Agency (ESA)*). The working language of the Summer School will be English.

The application form should be submitted to the Aeronautics and Space Agency of FFG before March 31, 2009. The number of participants will be limited to 60 and confirmation of acceptance will be given by the end of April 2009.

A registration fee of € 370,- will be charged. This fee covers working material, free access to copying and computer, e-mail and internet facilities at the School House, coffee breaks and dinner vouchers (including one free drink per evening) throughout the period of the Summer School including the weekend.

*) ESA Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Associate member: Canada
Cooperating States: Hungary, Romania, Poland