International Space Camp 2003

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Mon May 12, 2003 2:02 pm

I was searching the web for Space Camp sites and found this one. I am another of the two finnish students selected for ISC 2003 and it would be great to exchange some thoughts about the coming camp with other participants. There are lots of good reports from the earlier camps in the web which give some information what to expect from the camp.

I am also interested if someone is going to go to New York after the camp. I have planned to put off my homeflight at least for a week and travel along the east coast.

I hope that the SARS doesn't spoil our camp.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon May 12, 2003 4:03 pm

Well its great to have an international camper on the forum. I know you'll love space camp. I've been to camp a cpouple times during the international camp over the years and have met many campers from diffrent countries including France, Vietnam, Spain, and Egypt. Its always cool to meet people from other parts of the world. Can't wait to hear what you thought of camp when you get back.

stargazer0105 · Post by **stargazer0105** » Mon May 12, 2003 5:33 pm

When is International week this year?

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:29 am

International Space Camp 2003 is held in 7/25-8/2. I'm not sure if the dates are correctly written, but I think you get it.

I nearly fainted when I found out that I was chosen to participate in this years ISC.

I knew that I wrote a good essay but usually I don't have any luck in this kind of contests. Last year I applied to physics summer school in Star City(I can't remember the russian name) near Moscow but had no luck.

stargazer0105 · Post by **stargazer0105** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:32 am

My friend and I almost went that week. That would have been really cool. We decided to make it our second choice b/c my birthday is during that week and my family usually goes on vacation that week.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue May 13, 2003 11:57 am

I think the international space camp is always sometime in July. I went during that week a couple of times and it was always cool. The one i remember most is in 96 when we had international space camp that week and they were also celebrating the upcoming olympics. If i had gone to Academy Level 2 that week instead of AC i would have had more exposure to the international students and would have been able to see one leg of the olympic torch relay when it went past space camp.

Space Nerd · Post by **Space Nerd** » Tue May 13, 2003 12:18 pm

Andy,
Hey i will also be at camp for international week though i am American! I am sure you will have tons of fun and maybe i will see you there!!!!

monkeynautt · Post by **monkeynautt** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:07 pm

You'll have a great time Andy!!! Space camp is a blast!!!

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:28 pm

Space Camp is always great but international weeks are even better. You get to meet trainees from all over the world who have a real intrest in space.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 3:22 pm

Only one hit so far. This site might be hard to find, but the number of enthusiastic participants is over 100 plus the Americans. I am little surprised that only me and Space Nerd have found the forum. I found it after half an hour search. Have you tried to get a link from the official site?

BTW does anyone of you have special interest on flying or aviation? I have been bitten by a fly-bug since I was a little kid. I started hang-gliding when I was 15 and fell in love with that sport.

DaVinci knew the feeling. Sadly he never succeeded to put his plane into practise.

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 9:48 pm

I was bit the aviation bug, too. Actually, it was Space Camp that got me into it. When I went in FL, we were able to go fro a ride in a Cessna. After that, I started taking lessons and I'll get my private licence soon.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 8:16 am

I'm a big aviation buff as well. Even before i went to space camp i was bit by that bug. Ofcourse growing up near an airforce base and 2 good size airports will do that. I remember going to the airport as a little kid just to watch the plains take off and land. Thats probably one reason i also loved AC. I also try to attend any local air shows we have here.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 8:47 am

I have also flown few hours in a Cessna. Local aviation club helps the finnish forest administration by searching forest fires when the weather is hot and I have been one of the observers on those flights.

Personally I prefer unmotored flying. Nothing beats the feeling when you find a thermal and rise to the cloudbase without any external help. Only sounds that you can hear are the wind and your variometer which tells you if you go upwards or downwards.

Nevertheless I must admit that WW2 planes are awesome.

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 8:52 am

The only unpowered flight I had was hangliding in Tennessee. It was awesome. Unfortunatly, we have no handgliding in Florida, or I would do a lot of it.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 10:56 am

I also love World War 2 aircraft. What is your favorite. Mine has to be the F4-U1D corsair flown by the Navy and Marine corps in the pacific.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:25 pm

Benji: You should check the US Hang-gliding associations web site http://www.ushga.org. There are lots of hang-gliding clubs in Florida. Becouse of the flat terrain in Florida there may be no foot launch sites, but aero towing is a very good option. It means that hang-glider is towed behind a microlight aircraft. The hills in southern Finland aren't either high enough for foot launching. Thats why we have developed a very efficient way to tow gliders behind a car.

LB206:My favorite WW2 aircraft is definitely B239 "Brewster". "The pearl of the skies" like the finnish aces used to call it. It may not be the most beautiful one or for sure not the fastest, but it was a delight to fly.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 5:09 pm

Well i'm somewhat familiar with the Brewster although by the start of WW 2 it was a bit outdated if i'm not mistaken. But it did see some action early on i know. But i still prefer the bent wing bird.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 3:56 am

The US Navy/Marines version of the Brewster was too heavy. The American pilots didn't like it. The already manufactured planes were sold to Finns during Winter War. Extra armor plates and other useless equipment were removed, which gave the planes very good handling characteristics. Sadly the planes were little bit late so the Winter War ended before the Brewster arrived.

Brewsters were used in the Continuation war against soviets. The lighter version of the Brewster performed very well against early soviet fighters and latter models of soviet fighters were in no means superior.

Later it was replaced by BF109 G-2 and G-6 models, which were faster and had better armor.

stargazer0105 · Post by **stargazer0105** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 10:37 am

Don't know if this would interest anyone, but my uncle has rebuilt two Steerman (sp?) basically from scratch. He takes me up when I go over to his house and it's a lot of fun. He even built a landing strip in the field behind his house.

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 11:50 am

Thanks for the suggestion, Andy. I'd looked before but couldn't find anything. I found one kind of far from me, but not too far.