UK space competition unearths young talent

Monday 14 July 2008

The competition challenged teams of 14–19 year olds to design and build a small, compact satellite instrument that will be flown on a low Earth orbiting satellite due for launch in 2010. The instrument will be no larger than the size of a lunch box, weigh less than one kilogram and operate on less than one watt of power.

The British National Space Centre (BNSC) teamed up with the world leading small satellite company Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) earlier this year to launch the competition which is being supported by the company’s scientists and engineers.

Ian Pearson said: "I have been impressed by the number of high quality entries for this competition and the enthusiasm of the finalists who I have met today.

"Competitions such as this one are vital in inspiring young people to explore the exciting opportunities open to them in the space industry. I hope today’s finalists go on to become tomorrow’s space engineers, entrepreneurs and scientists."

The six finalists and their experiments are:

• Helston Community College, Cornwall – test the ability of bacteria to survive the extreme conditions of outer space
• Langton Star Centre, Canterbury, Kent – detect cosmic rays hitting the Earth's atmosphere
• Schome Park Project, a virtual team co-ordinated by Open University – observe ‘earthshine’ and identify key life markers in the reflected light of the Earth
• Shrewsbury School, Shropshire – investigate the electrically charged particles that can disturb communication between space and Earth
• UK High Altitude Society, Hampshire – measure the number of meteors entering our atmosphere, by bouncing radio signals off their ionised trails
• St George's College, Addlestone, Surrey – study the characteristics of Near-Earth space dust, which can damage orbiting spacecraft

The six teams will now develop full project plans for final judging. The winner will be announced at the International Astronautical Congress on 3 October in Glasgow.

Dr Stuart Eves, competition co-ordinator at SSTL, said: "Satellites are an increasingly important part of our everyday lives. Many people are familiar with satellite television, and in-car satellite navigation but satellites also assist international communications, transportation, and disaster relief, to name but a few.

"The competition entries we have had so far are hugely encouraging. Any of the six finalists could make their idea literally ‘out of this world’ by winning the prize of flying their experiment on one of SSTL’s satellites in 2010."

Notes to Editors

• For more information about the SSTL/BNSC competition, visit www.spaceexperiment.infoor contact SSTL Press Officer Audrey Nice: Tel: +44 (0)1483 804200; Mob: +44 (0)7776 383804; Email a.nice@sstl.co.uk
• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) develops innovative technologies to change the economics of space, delivering cost effective satellite missions within rapid timescales. SSTL is a world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of high performance small satellites with experience gained over more than 25 years and with 27 missions launched. Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by the University of Surrey (85%), SSTL staff (5%), and SpaceX of the USA (10%).
• The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and exploit space. BNSC is a partnership of seven Government Departments, two Research Councils and the Met Office. It co-ordinates UK civil space activities and represents the UK at the European Space Agency. For more information, visit www.bnsc.gov.uk