My name is Alicia Rebecca Malter and below is some information about various space and non-space activities that I have participated in.

In 2001, after high school, I enrolled at the University of Western Sydney in a Bachelor of Space Sciences. This 3 year long degree taught me the vivacity of studying at university. Unfortunately Australia's non existent position in the space community encouraged me search for other avenues for a future career in space.

After my first degree I enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in the Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree. This 4 degree is where I truly leant how to pursue a career. This degree culminated with my thesis title being Architecture for Future Comet Sample Return Missions, which help me graduate with 1st Class Honours.

I have also participated in the Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama, USA. These courses are a more senior version of Space Camp. I highly recommend them to any young person who loves anything space, or to anyone young who wants to do something different, who wants to make friends and have a fun hands on learning experience. Visit http://www.spacecamp.com for more information.

When I was young I was fortunate enough to experience living overseas though the Southern Cross cultural exchange program. I lived in Yuma Arizona, USA for just over 2 months. Going to school in the US was such a great experience, not just learning but social. Living and schooling with international people meant that I was growing socially as well as demographically. I recommend it to anyone of any age.

In January of 2008 I was auspicious enough to be selected as the crew engineer of crew 64 at the mars desert research station in Utah, USA. The mars desert research station is a long running seasonal habitat that proves that a long term mars base is viable. The desert of Utah is a close representation of the Martian landscape and simulates various temperatures and conditions. As the engineer of crew 64 I had various tasks such as monitoring the battery packs and generator operations, maintaining the water, grey water and black water systems of the habitat, logging activities of the roving vehicles along with any other engineering task that was required to sustain human life on Mars.

To view my MDRS photos click here. The Mars society has in tern made fantastic contributions to the understanding of what would be involved in a long term space habitat. More information can be found at http://www.marssociety.org/portal

Until other commitments took over, i was employed at the Victorian Space Science Education Centre, working on the Mission to Mars Program. The centre offers many educational programs for high school aged students, teachers in space subjects and fields and international students. The Mission to Mars Program offers students a simulated experience of the Mars landscape and the reverse role of mission control communicating with the astronauts on the Mars surface. The program entails students suiting up as astronauts and being sent onto the Mars surface to complete Martian activities such as digging for permafrost, measuring seismic vibrations, setting up the communications cart and most important of all, communicating with mission control. After that mission is complete, the students have the chance to work in an assigned role in mission control. My VSSEC photos can be seen by clicking here. More information can be found at http://www.vssec.vic.edu.au

Like anyone I enjoy spending time with my friends and my partner Paul, playing video games and having fun. To see some fun photos click here.