Security briefings, culture orientations and introductions dominated the first two days. If you hold an American drivers license and are renting a bicycle on campus you can rack up penalty points very quickly. Even more heavvy handed (but understandable), you could lose your license if you are cycling under the influence of alcohol.

This is myself with the next astronaut to travel to space who starts her space training in August. She recently visited the cliffs of Moher and other parts of Co. Clare while she was fuel stopping in Shannon airport with the U.S military. The picture was taken at the International Space University opening ceremony. The ceremony was held in an oscar style theatre which included a special welcome speech from Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger via video link. The speech ended with Arnold saying: ‘When you are leaving California at the end of a great summer be sure to say “I’LL BE BACK!” ‘, which resulted in enormous cheers from the audience! At the event, NASA promised that this years summer programme will be the best one ever. They have gone too many lengths to ensure this and this has been evident since the first day. After the ceremony, a reception was held in a specially designed NASA room which included original shuttles, space suits a moon rock and much more (I dont think I need to mention the free alcohol or food!).

During one of our core lectures there was a live downlink from the International Space Station (live from space!). You can see some of the astronauts in the background of the picture floating in space. Bob Thirsk is in the bottom centre of the picture (a famous Canadian astronaut) and members of the class were able to ask questions about different aspects of living in space.

There are approximately 130 students from 35 different countries on the programme. So far in lectures different space topics have been discussed such as law, policy, economics and most appropriate for me, the electromagnetic spectrum and the sun. The core lectures operate for the first four weeks finishing off with exams on the same week. They are given by experts from NASA, previous astronauts, and professionals from other space agencies

around the globe. This is combined with a heavy schedule including workshops etc. Over here it has been said that the ISU actually stands for ‘Insufficient Sleep University’ as the programme is very hectic.

I celebrated Canada day on campus by winning the beer ping pong game with two of the other Irish students. The Canadians were not too happy getting beat at their own game! The week finished with a trip to the famous Golden gate bridge in San Francisco. Outside building for opening reception.

NASA shuttle bus.

You can log on to the following links for more information:

The Gogarty Scholarship    

(http://www.isunet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=420&Itemid=276)

The International Space University  

(http://www.isunet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=59&Itemid=185)

(http://www.isunet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=62&Itemid=205)

The International Space University Workshops            

(http://www.isunet.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=288)

The Opening Ceremony at the International Space University   

(http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1731943)

NASA Ames website 

You can also check me out in the class 2009 photo and keep updated in more detail on the NASA Ames (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/ISU/)