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Croatia Space Inspiration Program Embarks on Year 3 with Remarkable Success and Expansions

Croatia – December 15, 2023 – This school year marks a significant milestone for the Croatia Space Inspiration Program (CroSIP) as it celebrates the commencement of its third year. This awe-inspiring program, initiated in 2020, is a collaborative effort between the Lady Rocket Foundation (USA), AVISA Space Ltd. (Croatia), and the Ivan Gundulić Elementary School in Zagreb, Croatia. It is designed to kindle the flames of curiosity and inspiration for space among elementary school children in Croatia.

Under the dedicated guidance of the teachers at Ivan Gundulić Elementary School and the visionary leadership of AVISA Space, coupled with the relentless support from the Lady Rocket Foundation, the program has achieved tremendous success. More children now have the opportunity to become part of this thrilling space education journey.

The primary goal of the Croatia Space Inspiration Program is to introduce elementary school children to the fascinating world of space and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The program utilizes a modified NASA-JPL curriculum that includes engaging workshops and hands-on experiments, all tailored for elementary school students. The uniqueness of the program lies in its global outreach. Classes from participating countries connect, share their findings, and learn to communicate with students worldwide, thereby fostering a deep passion for space and inspiring young minds to pursue STEM fields.

The pilot project, initiated in Zagreb, set out to test the waters and lay the foundation for a continuous space education course. The resounding success of this endeavor, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and a constantly changing global landscape, showcased the power of cooperation and determination. Both the Lady Rocket Foundation and Croatian schools have demonstrated how collaborative efforts can open new and exciting opportunities for future generations.

As the Croatia Space Inspiration Program enters its third year, it expands its horizons. In partnership with the Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3) and multiple elementary schools in Croatia, CroSIP is scaling up and offering space education to children across the entire country. The program is also eyeing international expansions, taking its message of space education to new countries and markets.

This significant achievement adds to the portfolio of successful programs conducted worldwide by the Lady Rocket Foundation. From the United States to Lithuania, LRF continues to expand its footprint and unite students globally under the common mission of space education and inspiration.

About Lady Rocket Foundation, A3 and AVISA Space

The Lady Rocket Foundation’s mission is to ignite a passion for space through innovation in entrepreneurship development, education, arts, media, and space-related research. LRF endeavors to make space more relevant on Earth by championing space innovations that improve lives and humanity on our home planet.

AVISA Space is a human space experience company dedicated to facilitating human access to space. By demonstrating future off-world capabilities, AVISA aims to pave the way for private exploration and settlement in space, ultimately catalyzing the true space economy. This journey is just beginning, and as we look to the future, the possibilities are limitless. 

A3 is a non profit association of science and technology institutions and individuals, all devoted to foster endeavor of bringing space closer to the people. This is achieved by education, spreading knowledge to wide population, initiating projects on all levels of space science and technology, and very importantly fostering international and regional collaboration.

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Visit from PR China

Prof. Yi Li, from the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU), the executive deputy of Suzhou Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (SUSAA),  PR China visited A3 from 4 to 9 September 2023 as part of the cooperation between NPU/SUSAA and A3. Prof. Li is an expert of space science and Suzhou (Suzhou – Wikipedia) is investing heavily in the aerospace industry, so as part of the visit, in addition to the presentation of A3 activities, a visit to Croatian companies and scientific institutions, it was agreed on cooperation in joint projects that would be an upgrade to existing activities that include the exchange of experts. The immediate upcoming activity is the joint organisation of the Brijuna Conference 2025 in China, Suzhou, one of the most important cultural, science and technology centre of China. It is intended that the conferences will be held alternately between Brijuni and Suzhou. The theme of the conference is closely related to the challenges of travelling to distant space.

 

 

 

The first visit was to the Ruđer Bošković Institute.

 

 

 

 

 

Prof. Mile Ivanda, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Physics and Synthesis of New Materials, presented his scientific work at the Institute. Prof. Ivanda showed the laboratories and instruments with which he researches new materials for energy storage, develops ultra-sensitive sensors, uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze the composition of materials down to extremely low impurity densities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the company FACC Solutions Croatia d.o.o., part of the AVIC Group, Mr. Edvin Brčić (COO) and Mr. Matija Ferić (CFO) gave a description of the activities that include the production of components for the interior of aircraft, servicing all the most important airlines. Plans include expansion of production, product range, as well as connection with other sectors of the AVIC group.

 

 

 

 

The company HSTec, part of the Chiron Group, is high technology firm and its production line was presented by Mr. Mladen Šarlija, Managing director CEO, and Mr. Tomislav Marfat, Technical Director COO. The fundamental backbone of the company’s work is the product development from design to delivery to the customer. The company specialises in the production of spindles for extreme conditions and top requirements, as well as the production of top performance robotic systems.

 

 

A meeting with Mr. Marijan Topčić, technical director, and Mr. Danko Kočiš, ICT director and general secretary of A3, at the Multinorm d.o.o., was held via the Internet connection. The firm is a top technological company for the production of tools, but also participates in the production of satellite components in the A3 project. The company Multinorm is a member of the Strama consortium, which has branches in the People’s Republic of China, and there is the possibility of involvement in cooperation projects. Hydrogen is considered one of the most important elements for space activities and its extraction is of great importance on site. At the meeting with Mr. Ivica Jakić, president of H2-Hydrogen Cell Croatia, various extraction methods of this important element were discussed. The possibility of obtaining a scholarship for the study of astronautics at NWPU was discussed at a meeting with Mr. Bogomir Hren, the president of the Croatian Astronautical and Rocket Association, open to young people who are willing to opt for that calling. A special topic that would be important for the Republic of Croatia is to attract the Chinese aviation company to open a plant for the production of parts for their aircraft. At the meeting with Mr. Igor Kekez, a good expert on the state of the aviation sector in the Republic of Croatia, various possibilities for realising this project were discussed. Prof.  Jakov Baleta, from the Faculty of Metallurgy in Sisak, University of Zagreb, also attended the meeting, who shared his experiences in scientific cooperation with partners in the People’s Republic of China.