Rafał Brzoska Foundation.
Good morning, everyone. Another quick podcast fire chat with a Rafał Brzoska Foundation scholar. Today we have another fantastic guest with an outstanding approach to innovation. Marek, welcome. Please briefly introduce yourself — what do you do, where do you study, and what are your passions?
Good morning. My name is Marek Krauf and I’m interested in artificial intelligence, modern technologies, mathematical modeling, and the use of outer space. I study at Warsaw University of Technology, the best university in Poland, majoring in computer science and information systems, which is a field that combines a theoretical approach, very strong mathematical foundations, abstract thinking, with practical application of this knowledge and also an interest in innovation and projects.
Exactly, Marek — winner of the Explory competition, young European innovator, participant in the European Statistics Competition, awarded the title of innovation ambassador. But what impressed me the most — and pay attention here — within European SpaceCamp you co-created a supersonic research rocket. Tell me, what is it like working in an international team? Because it was probably at a Norwegian rocket base beyond the Arctic Circle. How much time did you spend there with the team? I understand a team of engineers — and could you tell us the most important takeaway, meaning what you gained from working with a research team, and also tell us what exactly a supersonic stratospheric rocket is?
It was truly an amazing experience. It was at a Norwegian rocket base 300 km beyond the Arctic Circle on an island.
In summer. So fortunately there was a polar day at the time, because in winter there’s a polar night and the sun doesn’t rise at all. And when I was there, at first the sun didn’t set at all. Toward the end for about an hour the sun supposedly dipped below the horizon, although in reality it was still bright. And it is the northernmost non-military rocket base in the world. There are currently four launch pads there, because a spaceport is now also being constructed there, the largest launch facility, the only one in Europe, and one of those launch pads is permanently used even by NASA.
We worked in different teams. I worked on the payload, meaning everything inside the rocket — various sensors, research equipment.
But were you inventing something, programming, or what exactly did your work involve?
Absolutely, because first of all we had to decide what we wanted to study, and once we knew that, which sensors we would use. Of course there was also the installation and connecting everything together, and then programming the entire rocket, because during flight the rocket transmits data through telemetry to the team on the ground, which receives it immediately, not only after landing.
But you actually launched the rocket, right?
Yes. And in less than two seconds the rocket exceeded the speed of sound. It was truly an incredible experience.
And before the launch we also became familiar with the launch procedure. It was essentially an entire handbook of different safety procedures, checking whether everything worked, whether everything worked properly, and among other things the only road in the northern part of the island had to be closed because it ran through an area where no one was allowed to be during the launch. Besides that, the mission control center was obviously in contact both beforehand and continuously with airspace agencies to make sure that no airplane accidentally wandered into the area. Launch clearance was granted.
Bravo. But that’s not the only interesting project, because besides that you also work on AI innovations in medicine as well as drone technologies for environmental research. Is that something you do as part of your everyday educational path, or is it more of a hobby?
Mainly as a hobby. When it comes to my projects, necessity is the mother of invention. So the inspiration comes from various problems that I notice. But on the other hand, as I already mentioned, I’m interested in modern technologies. I love drones. Back in elementary school I obtained a drone operator qualification certificate, and now I have a drone pilot license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority. So my project — a specialized drone for tropospheric ozone research — is used to study photochemical smog, mainly ozone levels in the troposphere. And it’s important to distinguish this clearly.
