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Send me to Space University!

Hi, I’m Adam. I have Asperger Syndrome, a degree in Space Systems Engineering, and sometimes jump out of aeroplanes for fun. And I need your help with something: I’m going to space university.

I've been invited to participate in the International Space University’s Space Studies Programme (SSP). SSP is a two-month long, multidisciplinary, graduate-level professional development program with a highly multinational community of students, alumni and staff. This is a prestigious and highly sought-after opportunity to network with the best and the brightest of the global space industry. ISU graduates are sometimes called the ‘space mafia’ and have a leading presence throughout the space community. This is an exciting opportunity and I’m eager to go, but I need to raise money to pay their fees first.

Having Aspergers has made my life difficult at times. I was only diagnosed at 15 so I struggled through school, earning only a limited number of GCSE grades, albeit performing well in science and maths. I struggled to find work, too, until I found a place at a small print shop. My supervisor, Bernie, had some experience and understanding of Aspergers and encouraged me to use my intellect to overcome my condition. He started out with small steps, just encouraging me to go running, but with his support I went on to grow not only to cover all aspects of the department but to build an active life outside, including learning to drive and volunteering as a ticket inspector on a local steam railway. Then, in 2008, I stumbled across the UK space community and discovered the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do with my life.

Sadly, in early 2009 my Mum was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just a few weeks later. This was a massive blow and although I delayed my university application I arrived at Southampton still struggling to pull things back together. Nevertheless I made it through, thanks to the support I received from university, to the friends I made while I was there and to my determination and enthusiasm for the subject. I finally graduated in 2016 with a 2.1 grade. I’m now set to go on to ISU.

Finding work since graduation has been difficult so I can’t afford to put any meaningful money towards this myself. I’ve secured most of the cost of attending thanks to a partial scholarship from the European Space Agency and support from industry. I now just need to cover the last £250, plane tickets (about £170-£180 plus any booking charges etc.) and some other minor costs (I’ll be without other income and need to cover various things I pay monthly like car insurance, even though I won’t be using it). Fortunately, ISU provides accommodation and meals for the duration of the course.

In the long term, I hope to be able to secure graduate work where I will finally have the chance to make my contribution to the aerospace industry but, in the meantime, I need a bit of extra financial help. I’ll put my target at £750 but any donations will be gratefully received.

Organizer

Adam Elkins
Organizer

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