Off-campus training

Due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus disease, this year we went to Tanegashima as an off-campus training instead of an overseas exchange training.
 
During the off-campus training, we visited the Tanegashima Space Center on the first day and gave a presentation in English about space and Tanegashima. On the second day, we observed the launch of the H2A rocket equipped with a data relay satellite.
 
Through the visit to the Tanegashima Space Center, we were able to learn about the rockets that had been launched and projects that had been carried out so far. Also, we took a look at  models such as rocket engines. We were able to gain knowledge about things outside our field  of ​​expertise, which made us more interested in space than we ever had before.
 
The first day presentation was divided into three groups in which the theme is STEPs Activities and International Forum, Space, and Tanegashima, and each group gave a presentation on each theme. The presentation on Space and Tanegashima was conducted in English, and questions were asked promptly after the presentation. From the presentation, we learnt that it is important to keep in mind about the peripheral knowledge of the field we oversaw before conducting presentation.
 
Next, we were able to observe the launch of the H2A rocket at a distance where the separation of data relay satellites could be noticed. It was a wonderful experience to observe the launch of the rocket, which boasts the world's highest success rate of launch, while reminiscing about the sound of rocket we heard at the Space Center the day before.
 
We also visited Tanegashima. On the first day, the guide furnished us with the information about Tanegashima on the bus. We received a handmade map of Tanegashima, and we were able to feel the attractiveness of Tanegashima more by the detailed and polite explanation by the guide. On the second day, we came into contact with the nature in Tanegashima, such as Chikura Grotto and others.
 
Finally, we would like to thank all the people who supported the off-campus training. We will make use of knowledge and experience gained from this training in future STEPs activities and academics. We look forward to your continued support of STEPs.

By LEE JIN YIEN , Hina Fukuda