Our Mission

• To produce a live, global broadcast of the only total solar eclipse in 2013, with commentary from Astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Ken Ham, physicist and astronomer Dr. Rhodri Evans & NASA astronaut trainer Michelle Ham. A two hour live feed will allow our team of experts to be fully interactive with our audience.

• We are the International Space School Educational Trust, a UK registered charity that aims to encourage young people to aim high and give them the tools to succeed in whatever they want to do in life. Drawing from the NASA ‘you can do it spirit’ we use space exploration to promote Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM).

• ISSET has spent the last 15 years promoting STEM around the globe. We are strong believers that with the right encouragement ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

• We will be broadcasting the only total solar eclipse of 2013 on 3rd November from Lake Turkana, Kalokol, Kenya; the number one place, and one of only a handful of locations in the world to see this spectacular phenomenon. In doing this, we wish to inspire young people to chase after their ambitions and to make space exploration knowledge accessible to everyone and anyone.

• The broadcast will feature a split screen, showing the entire total eclipse in detail on one & on the other a view of the team set in the fantastic surroundings which will show how the eclipse affects the moonscape of Lake Turkana.

• With your help we can bring one of the world's most exciting astronomical occurrences into the living rooms of as many individuals as possible.

Where do the funds go?

• We are going to hire specialist equipment to film the total solar eclipse. For a smooth live online broadcast, we need to link up with a satellite to establish a unique high speed connection. (As we will be in a remote the location of Lake Turkana, internet connection will not be available).

• We need a small film crew and technical support team to ensure there are no interruptions to the broadcast and that the highest quality of transmission is reached.

• The cost of getting the team into and across Kenya along with compensation for their time and efforts.

• Back in the office we will also need to cover expenses for all of the planning, administration, graphic design and marketing which will be used to get the word out to as many people as possible about the project.
  

What you get!

• We have a list of perks on the right hand side for donations.
  

What if we do not hit our goal?

• If we do not hit our minimum goal the broadcast should still go ahead. However, the production may be of a lower standard and the team members may change.
  

The Impact

• Since ISSET was established in 1998 we have orchestrated 42 trips to the NASA space centres, 3 excursions to the Arctic, 6 Indian expeditions, ran hundreds programmes in schools across the globe, hosted dozens of space school summer camps and inspired thousands of people young and old.

• Last year our team broadcast the transit of Venus from the Gobi desert in Mongolia totalling an astronomical 1.2 million live views with a further 5.5 million unique hits. With your help we can beat these figures and reach a broader audience.

• As well as inspiring students, we intend to make this rare event accessible to as many people as possible.
  
  
• Arranging for Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Ken Ham, NASA Astronaut Trainer Michelle Ham and Astronomer Dr Rhodri Evans to give a running commentary of the Solar Eclipse as it happens is a fantastic way of encouraging young people to become the next generation of STEM pioneers.
  

Other Ways You Can Help

Donating money is not the only way you can help us hit our goal.....

• If you’re not in a position to help financially, then spreading the word about this campaign by sharing this link will also bring us that one step closer to completing our mission.

• Remember to use the Indiegogo share tools to help us spread the word.
  
  Thank you.