Agencia Espacial Canadiense - ejemplo para países empezando su programa espacial

Este post es basicamente una traducción y edición de un articulos públicado el 13 de junio de 2012 por Kate Arkless Gray (@SpaceKate) en su blog "How the Canadian Space Agency punches above its weight – advice for other small space-faring nations" 

Al comparar el presupuesto de la Agencia Espacial Canadiense (CSA) , alrededor de US$300 millones con el de la NASA US$17 - 18 billones, uno se pregunta cómo es que CSA tiene presencia en todas las áreas espaciales y ademas es considerado un actor importante a nivel internacional?

Lo siguiente esta basado en una entrevista hecha por @SpaceKate, en el marco del Space Studies Programme SSP12, que actualmente se lleva a cabo en el Florida Institute of Technology en EEUU, a Graham Gibbs (ex-miembro de la Agencia Espacial Canadiense) y publicada en su blog.

Gibbs destaca 3 aspectos claves para lograr que una pequeña nación pueda "jugar con los mas grandes":

SEGUIR UNA ESTRATEGIA DE NICHOS

Conocer tus áreas intereses y de experiencia y trabajar ligado a estas estas. Es crítico trabajar en conjunto con centro de investigación y academia (Universidades). Sacar el máximo provecho de los conocimientos que se tienes y si se quiere asegurar la continua inversión y financiamiento, es importante atender a los stakeholders nacionales clave. En Canadá, la CSA provee a los Ministerios de Industria, Defensa, Medio Ambiente, entre otros. Inversiones consientes y focalizadas también han ayuda al éxito de Canada en el espacio. Intencionalmente se decidió no desarrollar un lanzador (cohete), en vez de esto se centro en elementos como robotica donde existían claras fortalezas. 

AGREGAR VALOR

Aprovechar la cooperación internacional a tu favor, pero ser cuidadoso de siempre agregar valor en estas parternships, según Gibbs. Es importante ser confiable y agregar valor para volverse no solo bienvenido, pero deseado como socio. Esto ayudara a abrir otras oportunidades de parterships en el futuro.

SER VISIBLE, PARTICIPAR

La Visibilida es importante tanto a nivel internacional, asegurandose que la contibución entregada tenga un impacto que ayude a mejorar la posición dentro de la comunidad, y en casa. El apoyo del público para tu programa espacial es una herramienta muy util, especialmente para inclinar la opinión politica. También es importante participar en programas globales y conferencias, para estar con los socios internacionales.

Gibbs también comento en el hecho de que Canadá es consiente de sus limitaciones. Saben que aún son un pequeño país espacial y no tratar de tomar las decisiones. Este nivel de modestia y diplomacia es clave en el ambiente internacional.

¿Qué gano con/al ser un miembro "activo" de una sociedad holandesa como VSV?

What benefits I get from being an "active" member of A Dutch society like VSV?

A manifest by Alejandro from Chile

DISCLAIMER: this text relates my own experiences and ideas and does not necessary represent the opinion of the student society VSV Leonardo da Vinci.

I am an international/Erasmus and don't have enough time to get involved!

Is really up to you to take the first step! In my experience it takes a few afternoons at De Atmosfeer to become part of it.

Besides you happen to be IN The Netherlands, so you might want to know a bit more about the Dutch people.

What is De Atmosfeer?

A key part of Dutch, and other c

ultures, student life happens in a bar. De Atmosfeer happens to be one of this, a bar, and is actually located IN the main building of the AE faculty. During the year you will have many occasions to go there, either after a distinguish lecture or presentation or at an Interest Drink (in Dutch Drink = Borrel). Maybe you will like to know that beer is so

ld there for a really reasonable price and many times you also order pizza for a dinner. Thus you have two key component for a nice evening (beer and pizza), now you only need to speak to some people.

But they are Dutch and they speak Netherlands!!

When you have spent some time in NL you realize most Dutch speak English and within the AE faculty this is a fact. So just get off your ass, get a drink, some pizza and speak to someone! At least in my experience they will switch their conversation into English and you will feel welcome. Besides after a few beers you might even dare to order you beer in Netherlands (good luck and remember beer is just bier)

Nice, so now I'm at the bar. Who are this Guys in funny clothes or suits???

Dear international, welcome to Delft and VSV. There is a say here:

"been there, done that, got the T-shirt "

And if there is a place where this is followed as a sacred law, that must be Delft. The funny costumes, with logos, are committee clothes and the guys in suits or in dark blue t-shirts with the VSV logo is almost for sure the board.

Wait, wait aren't we all students! What is a committee and what board?

If you are staying in NL for a short period you just need to know they are a group of students normally BSc that will do some activity during the year.

If you are interested or staying longer (maybe you event want a Job after you finish your studies)

You should know that within Dutch culture is almost compulsory to be part of a committee or a board during your study years. So many active VSV members will devote part of their free time to work with a committee, some of them BarCo are serving your drink right now. Other will organize a big party (if you Are lucky enough you'll participate in some of them) other will organize aerospace relevant lectures, professional visits and trips.

The board is a different case, this guys and girls will stop their studies for a year and be fully devote to running the VSV a student society with almost 70 years of history. But if you want to know more just go an ask! This guy’s are normally really social guys and most of the times they will share a beer and a nice conversation with you.

Interesting, I want to travel and heard there are some trips

There are many visits to companies and day excursions. There are some longer trips but for this you need to be an active member. I myself participate in nice Multiple Day Excursion (MDE) with the Space Department (RVD) to Switzerland some time ago. We spent 8 days visiting companies and institutions and BUILDING UP A NETWORK.

A network?

Yes, student life is the perfect time for meeting people and you never know where they might be in some years from now.

So, this is just a glance of my experience, hope it can help you break the ice. Now go there and EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELFT!!!!

And remember, now you have some reasons for becoming a member:

• Cheap drinks and party
• Relevant Aerospace Lectures and Professional Visits
• Trips and meeting people
• A LOT MORE TO DISCOVER!!!