The Government‘s Nanosat Design Competition has opened for
entries, with aspiring space scientists invited to design a small
satellite to help inform solutions to climate change.
Competition entrants will compete for a share of a £600,000
Challenge Fund, enabling them to develop and build their
satellite design with the potential to launch from a UK spaceport
from 2023.
Enter the Nanosat Design
competition.
Nanosatellites are small satellites that can be used to gather
scientific data, such as information on climate change, ranging
from sea level measurements to mapping deforestation.
The competition is inviting entrants to design a nanosatellite
that will inform solutions to help tackle climate change.
Transport Minister said:
I am delighted to see the Nanosat Design Competition lift off
today. I hope it inspires some of the UK’s brightest young minds
to launch an exciting career in the UK’s thriving space sector.
As we enter a new commercial space age this is a remarkable
opportunity to design the technology of the future and be a part
of our all-important fight against climate change.
A panel of space experts will judge the competition entries,
including Dr Suzie Imber, an Associate Professor of Planetary
Science at the University of Leicester, who has worked on leading
space missions such as the BepiColombo spacecraft, currently on
its way to Mercury.
Entrants will also have the unique opportunity to receive
mentorship from industry experts to help develop their designs as
well as gain valuable skills to help progress a potential career
in the UK space sector.
Ian Annett, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency said:
Space technology plays a crucial role in monitoring our climate,
and this competition gives the next generation a unique
opportunity to design their own satellite to help tackle the most
pressing issue facing our planet.
The ability to launch small satellites from the UK will further
support our world-leading Earth observation capabilities and
create high-skilled jobs across the country.
As set out in the National Space Strategy, the UK is set to
become the first country in Europe to host small satellite
launches in 2022, building on the UK’s leading small satellite
industry and creating high skilled jobs across the country. This
will also help UK scientists use space technology to help tackle
global challenges, including climate change, which is a key part
of the Government’s National Space Strategy.
Entry is encouraged from those aged 16+ from any background and
with no requirement for previous knowledge, expertise, or
experience in the space sector. Applications close on 7 January
2022.
Visit www.nanosatlaunch.uk to
find out more about the competition.
You can also register to attend a
virtual launch event on Thursday 11 November
