A TEENAGER reached for the stars during a work experience trip to Germany.

Ollie Turrell, a Camborne Science and International Academy student, organised his own placement, receiving an invitation from the European Space Agency (ESA) and European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne.

He said: “It was such an amazing week, it’s hard to put it into words. I’m already planning my next placement and have even more exciting plans.”

The EAC trains and develops the skills required for European astronauts to fly to the International Space Station (ISS), while preparing for a future of space exploration, as well as focusing on missions and space medicine.

“Ollie has had the chance to work alongside many of the most influential people in the industry, including a number of the European Astronaut Corp and the German Space Agency, including his host and British astronaut Tim Peake.” said Daniel Chapman, assistant principal.

“Keen to maximise this once in a lifetime opportunity, Ollie requested to extend his placement by a further week to encompass the weekend of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landings, this was agreed immediately.”

The journey has taken Ollie, who attends Nexus and is part of the Gifted STEM Programme, from working inside full scale mock-ups of the ISS, to sitting on Command Console with EUROCOM, listening and watching the crews on the ISS, as well as working on smaller projects and delivering lectures on them himself.

“Ollie was even able to be meet and talk with the team preparing the launch of Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, who launched to the ISS on July 20, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landings in 1969.” added Mr Chapman.

“Luca Parmitano launched from Kazakhstan, beginning his six-month mission - named ‘Beyond’. Ollie was then able to observe the Mission Control team supporting the Astronauts on the ISS, including Luca Parmitano, conducting different experiments.”

Ian Kenworthy, principal at CSIA, said: “This trip is certain to have had a real impact on Ollie’s educational experience and given him lifelong memories. We look forward to seeing how his career develops over the next few years. He is quite literally, reaching for the stars!”