Comment

I earned my bachelor in mechatronic engineering at Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería in December 2010; but I have been working at the attitude determinations and control systems of the Nano-satellite Chasqui I since late 2008. I want to further my studies in dynamical and control systems by studding a PhD related to these topics.

Statement of Purpose

I am deeply concerned with the lack of interest of high school students with technological careers. To put a clear example, out of my high schools classmates only other six (out of 80) students pursued a technological career; this represents less than ten per cent of my class population. I would like to change that; as I, myself, was introduced to technology by a program like this. When I was at middle school I entered an academy (CEPRECYT, which stands for preparation center for science and technology) that gave technologically oriented classes for children on weekends, there I learned about the basic principles of physics and electronics. I was totally changed by this experience, and I would like to give other children this opportunity by developing CanSat in Peruvian high schools. In addition, I would like to incentive undergrad students to participate in CanSat challenges, to encourage them to design, build and even launch their CanSat prototypes. I believe that with the help of my colleagues at the Chasqui I project and at the mechanical department, I can achieve this.

Feedback on the CLTP Program

For the last years I have been part of the development of a small satellite project at my country, mainly focusing on the research of dynamic and control systems. This has increased my already big fascination for these topics and space engineer. After the CLTP program this fascination has reached even higher grounds, as I have witnessed the advances in technology and the eagerness of Japanese students to achieve excellence in these topics.

I am now certain that programs like this, especially those that are held for high school students, are fundamental; I have sadly noticed that in my country many students are not motivated to go to engineering or scientific careers, and I strongly feel that this lack of interest must be changed. I am sure that the CanSat project is great way to involve students and get them hands-on experience related to technological careers. In addition, as a mechatronic graduate, I find that the challenges presented at CanSat are also extremely alluring for undergraduates majoring in science and engineering, as you can design, manufacture and deploy rovers or similar small robots, using all you are learning about physics, electronics and much more. I think that these kinds of challenges are essential for the development of creative engineers, which are exactly what any country needs for its development.

The program fulfilled all my expectations of the program; the hands-on experience in the development of all the phases of a project was an incredible experience as we worked from the project conception until the launch, going through the mechanical manufacturing, electronics programming and every other step needed to make it successful. Moreover, I have made, hopefully, lifelong friends and deeply enjoyed getting to know so many different people, my colleges at the CLTP2 from all over the world, Nihon University students who helped us way beyond what any of us could imagine or desired, as well as professor Miyazaki and everyone from UNISEC. I have truly benefited myself from their experience and knowledge; and acquire the tools to introduce my country into the development of CanSat projects.

Vision for the future

With all the experience gained at CLTP2 and with aid from my colleges at the Chasqui I project I want to spread the CanSat project to as many Peruvian high schools as I can. Some initiatives have already been taken with one public school at Lima (Peru’s Capital) but we want these to grow, to reach as many students as we can and show them the importance of science and technology for the country’s wellbeing.

In addition, I have already started the first Peruvian CanSat training program, with 10 undergraduate students from my university. I would like to also spread CanSat as a way to reinforce teaching in engineering majors, and gain enough acceptances to launch the first Peruvian CanSat competition in the years to come.

Message for future CLTP participants

Enjoy yourself and learn as much as you can! I consider my time spent at Nihon University for CLTP2 as the most productive one of my life so far. The amount of knowledge and hands on experience we got every day at the lab was off the charts; and was only comparable to the work done by our hosts to help us and make our experience the most valuable one.

Value your time at Japan, get to know your CLTP colleges, the university students and professors and be part of this huge ever-growing small satellite community.

Manfred	Agfianto	Syahrim	Batmunkh	Ogechukwu	English (5m30s) | Japanese (5m30s)
Renato	Keck-Voon	Sawat	Osman	Thu