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ISU
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY (ISU) The ISU was founded in 1987 by Peter Diamandis, Todd Hawley and Robert Richards, three graduate students with a passion for space. Richards, a Canadian, had joined forces with Diamandis and Hawley in the early 1980’s in the establishment of the Students for the Exploration of Space (SEDS) and the Space Generation Foundation. Together they attracted many senior supporters to their efforts, giving them a global stage to declare the need for an international institution dedicated to attracting and empowering the next generation of space leaders. In 1986, at the International Astronautical Federation conference in Innsbruck, Austria, the three founders proposed the formation of the ISU; the first university dedicated entirely to an interdisciplinary program of space studies. The concept was to stage ISU’s development in three phases: first as a roaming summer session program, then the building of a permanent terrestrial campus, and eventually the establishment of orbital facilities. In April 1987, delegations from around the world were invited to attend an ISU Founders Conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to discuss the concept. Following three days of deliberations, the concept was endorsed and ISU was born on April 12, 1987. Since 1994, the ISU has had its campus in Strasbourg, France. Having evolved into an established institution it now offers a Master of Space Studies (MSS) and a Master of Space Management (MSM) Programs, each of eleven months duration, along with the SSPs. All classes are interdisciplinary, international and intercultural, both in terms of the student body and the curriculum. The Mission of ISU is:
Today there are over 2400 ISU Alumni from 93 countries. The demographic breakdown of "previous studies" by the students is as follows: Engineering – 38%, Space Applications – 19%, Physical Sciences – 13%, Business & Management – 10%, Policy & Law – 7%, Life Science – 7%, and Humanities – 6%. The breakdown for "Global Origin" of students is: Europe – 47%. North America – 23%, Asia Pacific – 19%, Africa – 8%, South America – 2%, Near/Middle East – 1%. Students entering ISU Programs must have a first degree. They will be asked to put that aside, for a while, to learn about other disciplines that affect space activities. Since ISU's beginning, the Summer Session Program has been held in 12 countries: Australia (1), Austria (1), Canada (2), Chile (1), China (1), France (4), Germany (1), Japan (1), Spain (1), Sweden (1), Thailand (1) and the USA (5).
ISU Credo WE, THE FOUNDERS of the International Space University, do hereby set forth this Credo as the basis for fulfilling ISU's goals and full potential. INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY is an institution founded on the vision of a peaceful, prosperous and boundless future through the study, exploration and development of Space for the benefit of all humanity. ISU is an institution dedicated to international affiliations, collaboration, and open, scholarly pursuits related to outer space exploration and development. It is a place where students and faculty from all backgrounds are welcomed; where diversity of culture, philosophy, lifestyle, training and opinion are honored and nurtured. ISU is an institution which recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary studies for the successful exploration and development of space. ISU strives to promote an understanding and appreciation of the Cosmos through the constant evolution of new programs and curricula in relevant areas of study. To this end, ISU will be augmented by an expanding base of campus facilities, networks and affiliations both on and off the Earth. ISU is an institution dedicated to the development of the human species, the preservation of its home planet, the increase of knowledge, the rational utilization of the vast resources of the Cosmos, and the sanctity of Life in all terrestrial and extraterrestrial manifestations. ISU is a place where students and scholars seek to understand the mysteries of the Cosmos and apply their knowledge to the betterment of the human condition. It is the objective of ISU to be an integral part of Humanity's movement into the Cosmos, and to carry forth all the principles and philosophies embodied in this Credo. THIS, THEN, IS THE CREDO OF ISU. For all who join ISU, we welcome you to a new and growing family. It is hoped that each of you, as leaders of industry, academia and government will work together to fulfill the goals set forth herein. Together, we shall aspire to the Stars with wisdom, vision and effort.
Peter H. Diamandis
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