ESA Academy Strengthens Ties with Industry to Mentor CubeSat and PocketQube Students, Shaping Future Space Professionals

ESA Academy's Fly Your Satellite! program is connecting university students with industry professionals in the CubeSat and PocketQube sectors. This initiative, aimed at students from ESA member states or associates, provides mentorship and support for designing, building, and launching nanosatellites. Students gain experience in spacecraft development, receive guidance from ESA specialists, and access training courses and test facilities. To date, the program has supported 50 nanosatellite projects from 20 countries, with 15 successfully reaching orbit. Over 2,000 students have participated, enhancing Europe's space workforce. This industry mentorship initiative aligns with ESA's Space for Education 2030 vision, fostering collaboration between ESA, academia, and industry to prepare students for the evolving space sector.