We have close links with the Russian Space Agency

Mark Brake, Head of Space Science, University of Glamorgan

"It will provide these students with the opportunity to study space and some of the new exciting topics in astronomy and space science and raise their aspirations towards taking courses such as astrophysics at university."

Mr Brake said that although the early adventures of Sixties cosmonauts and the Moon landing missions had passed, there were plenty of exciting and attractive challenges ahead for tomorrow's scientists.

Space Olympics

The exploration of planets going round stars in other solar systems is one of the most important studies currently being undertaken by astrophysicists.

The course itself also offers a unique opportunity to visit the heart of space science in Russia.

There are unanswered questions, so I thought the space school would help me answer them

Space student Shakira Ford

"We have close links with the Russian Space Agency and we are very confident that one group from the course will be going to the Space Olympics in Moscow this year," said Mr Brake.

The course also separates reality from the media image of space, he added.

"Space travel seems so common these days, with so many science fiction films, but what you have to realise is to put space fact into context with space fiction."

Cosmonaut visit

Space student Shakira Ford said she was drawn to the course by her interest in the origins of the Universe.

"There are unanswered questions, so I thought the space school would help me answer them," said Shakira.

The university's links with space ventures were buoyed in March ago by the visit of two Russian cosmonauts.

Commander Alexandre Volkov and Dr Alexandre Martynov were guests of the university and the Welsh Assembly during National Science Week.

During their three day trip, they discussed their missions and the importance of space science.