REICHMAN UNIVERSITY
They’re in charge of communicating with the schools and helping me with various mission operations, such as weather predictions.
What are you hoping to learn? In 2015, I was invited by the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen to give support to the first Danish mission to the ISS. Andreas Mogensen [the first Dane to reach space] carried out an experiment with the same concept of Ilan-ES: he’d take a camera, go to the window and point it towards forecasted thunderstorms. We didn’t expect much, but when we downloaded the video, we spotted something nobody had recorded before: blue flickering jets of light coming from the top of the thunderstorm. It’s now become a whole new area of research. Just like then, I’m looking for something new. We have partial understanding of lightning and
even less of TLEs. Why do they occur in a certain shape? Why in this storm? According to one theory, there’s a constant flux of meteoritic dust peppering the Earth; when coupled with thunderstorms, these particles become the seeds for the giant flashes of light we see in the sky. This has never been corroborated; in 2003, we recorded a meteor shower and sprites at the same time, but we were unable to determine whether they were happening together. I hope to get it this time.
How does the Ilan-ES project relate to the field of sustainability? Thunderstorms are extremely sensitive to the temperature of the planet. There are many papers that predict that, as the Earth gets warmer, we’ll get more or stronger lightning. On the other hand, lightning and TLEs generate greenhouse gases, affecting the chemical composition of the atmosphere. We have a very short sampling time in space,
but even two hours are enough to infer a global rate and energy output of thunderstorms. I call them the pulse of the planet: there are, on average, 50 flashes per second. When it comes to the climate, we’re talking about data across a lot of years, but this will be one point on a trend. It’s complex research, and not immediate, but thunderstorms can be a sensitive indicator of climate change.
After a splashdown in April, Eytan is now safely back on Earth. Can you share some initial insights from the space campaign? Those two weeks in orbit were extremely exciting for the students and I. We’re just now getting the data from the space station downloaded by NASA. We have months of work ahead of us, but initial analysis shows remarkable results. I can say with confidence: mission accomplished!
For the latest updates on the Ilan-ES project, head online to
ilan-es.com
The Raphael Recanati International School’s 2,000 students hail from over 90 countries and make up one third of the university’s student body
Striking a balance
The double-major BA degree in sustainability and government at Reichman University’s Raphael Recanati International School combines policy with environmental issues. Here are five things it offers students
1 A balanced curriculum
Taking into account economic, societal and environmental considerations is key to sustainability. This is something that’s been carefully curated within the double major’s curriculum, which splits credits between the School of Sustainability and the School of Government. Students learn about decision-making and policy, while also developing a deeper understanding of environmental issues such as water shortages and clean energy.
2 An updated program
The first of its kind in Israel, the degree offers an updated academic program, with courses reflecting post-pandemic global realities in the economic, societal and environment spheres.
3 Cutting-edge learning
An enviable rotation of lecturers, researchers and entrepreneurs is at the heart of the program’s lectures. Over three years, students get hands-on experience with ICT and stay up to date with the latest technology, sustainable business models and modes of governance.
4 Emphasis on practical skills
For their final-year capstone project, students from the double major are tasked with picking an issue they have a passion for, then working in small teams to tackle the real-life challenges it poses. What’s more, for students who are keen to get hands-on experience, the Reichman University Internship Program offers work experience at select companies.
5 Walking into the workplace
Graduates are well-equipped to seek out employment in a broad range of fields, with knowledge of issues such as corporate responsibility, transportation and city planning, as well as insights into politics and international relations. The degree is a springboard from which to rise through the ranks in government, public and private sectors and non-profit organizations.
2022 | Israeli Academia 29
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