Media Release

Monday, 28 June 2004

An official ceremony to celebrate the start of the International Space University's summer program for 2004 will be held in Adelaide today at Bonython Hall, University of Adelaide.

To mark the official launch, flagpoles along King William Street will also be flying multi-coloured International Space University (ISU) flags.

The ISU summer program is the world's most prestigious education event dealing with all aspects of space. Run by the French-based ISU, this nine-week program in Adelaide marks the first time it has been held in Australia.

South Australia's three universities - Adelaide, UniSA and Flinders - are hosting the event until August 27 (during our winter, as it is usually held in the northern hemisphere's summer).

More than 160 space experts and 115 graduate students are converging on Adelaide from around the world and the rest of Australia to take part.

A wide range of free public events will also give members of the community a unique chance to learn more about the breadth and depth of space-related industries, study and research.

"We are honoured to be the first city in Australia to host the International Space University's summer program," says the Chairman of the ISU Adelaide organising committee, Mr Michael Davis.

"This program is a unique opportunity for people from all backgrounds to share in many different forms of 'exploring' space - not just by being one of our students, but also by attending one of the free public events we have on offer and hearing from space experts themselves."