Haifa, 11 July 2016, by Remco Timmermans - The arrival of the mission control crew at Technion marks the beginning of an epic eight-week global space education mission. In the so-called week zero the core crew checks if all systems are go and gets itself acquainted with all processes and procedures. This core crew consists of Management, the Academic and Logistics Coordinators, the all-important Tech Team, the External Relations Team and the different Teaching Associates. Week zero is almost a mini-SSP in itself, as this group of about 25 people prepares things such that the 100+ participants will have the best space experience of their lives, just like most of the crew had when they were participants.

Duties in week zero consist of getting acquainted with the Technion campus, getting settled in the ISU staff offices and briefings. Many briefings, all to ensure the program runs smoothly once the participants arrive. Apart from all the official work, there is also some time to get to know each other. A close team is an important success factor!

A big project like the Space Studies Program consists of a long sequence of little details, that all need to work together. Signage and banners are an important element.

We have also a little bit of time to get to know our host city Haifa. Haifa is good for the foodies amongst us!

Most of the staff lives in the same student dormitories as the participants. The Mizrach Chadash dorms on Mount Carmel have a beautiful view over the city below it, all the way up to the northern border.

But most of all this week is about preparing our presentations, workshops, lectures, projects, special events and all other little and big things that make SSP an unforgettable experience for everyone going through. The Teaching Associate for Team Project 'Artificial Gravity' prepares his project...

The Teaching Associate of the Engineering Department prepares his special project equipment...

The Logistics Coordinators prepare for dozens of arrivals and departures during the program...

And of course the Tech Team prepares all the IT and AV equipment on campus for space use...

Towards the end of week zero the Space English Access Course (SEAC) participants receive their certificates. The TA's and other staff join in for the celebration...

The weekend day before launch the core crew takes SSP Director John Connolly to the Sea of Galilee, showing that miracles - like walking on water - really only happen with a well coordinated team. We tested it. The SSP16 is ready to make this miracle happen!