In December 2015 Tim Peake launches to the International Space Station (ISS) and will become the first British European Space Agency Astronaut to visit. Whilst there, in amongst many science and engineering activities, he will take part in research to understand how the body reacts to being in space for long periods of time.

Whilst living on the ISS Astronauts come into contact with radiation from a variety of sources. Particle detectors developed at CERN are on the ISS. These detectors measure the type – alpha, beta, gamma, etc. – direction and energy of radiation. Through this project you will be given access to this data to carry out your own research. 

This project offers schools the unique opportunity to access Timepix detector data from the ISS during Tim’s stay. Where possible schools will also have the chance to host a Timepix detector to carry out their own experiments. By taking part in this project schools will contribute to research that will improve our understanding of radiation in space.

Participating schools will be provided with:

• A research guide offering background information and starting points for experiments and data analysis;
• An opportunity for a teacher to attend a CPD session in the autumn of 2015 to find out more about the technology and data;
• A chance to share and exhibit their work at a research symposium in 2016.

More information can be found here.