Launch of competition for young people to help make UK spaceflight history

Wednesday, 9 June 2021 11:36

Competition launched by Government to inspire the next generation of British space scientists Young people asked to design a ‘nanosatellite’ with the winning entry destined for space As G7 and COP26 hosts, the design will also support the UK’s ambitious net zero targets by helping to monitor the effects of climate change. Young people will have the chance to send their own small satellite into space as a competition to inspire the...Request free trial

Competition launched by Government to inspire the next generation of British space scientists
Young people asked to design a ‘nanosatellite’ with the winning entry destined for space
As G7 and COP26 hosts, the design will also support the UK’s ambitious net zero targets by helping to monitor the effects of climate change.

Young people will have the chance to send their own small satellite into space as a competition to inspire the next generation of British space scientists and entrepreneurs launches today.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall today (9 June) to announce the contest, which is looking for nanosatellite designs that can help support the UK’s ambitious decarbonisation targets.

Nanosatellites are small satellites which can be used to gather scientific data, such as on climate change, as well as improving data for satellite navigation systems – making journeys better for everyone across Britain.

The £600k prize fund will mean the winner can further develop or build their satellite, making it launch-ready, with the potential for it to be launched into space from UK soil.

In 2022, the UK is set to become the first country in Europe to host small satellite launches, with Spaceport Cornwall, in Newquay, set to be the first operational spaceport.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“As hosts of the G7 and with the first space launches from British soil firmly within our grasp, I want to support the UK’s brightest minds and creative ideas to launch this exciting competition.

“This will help to secure a future spaceflight legacy for Great Britain, by inspiring young adults to build the skills needed to work within this growing sector.”

With its ambition to double the UK’s global market share of the space sector to 10% by 2030, Britain’s space exploration programme is set to create new high skilled jobs and economic benefits for communities and organisations across the country.

As international leaders convene in Cornwall for the G7 Summit, the Government is accelerating its vision for the UK to be at the global forefront of small satellite launch and emerging space transportation markets.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:

“We are committed to putting British innovation at the heart of the global effort to understand and minimise the effects of climate change, cementing our position as a science superpower and helping us to build back greener from the pandemic.

“As we anticipate with excitement the first satellite launches from British soil next year, this competition gives young people across the UK an opportunity to be part of our country’s thriving space sector and shape a better future for everyone."

Notes to editors

More information on the competition can be found here.

To widen the reach of the competition and encourage applications from as wide an audience as possible, applications from anyone over the age of 16, including individuals, groups and multi-disciplinary teams will be accepted. Whilst being in full-time education is not a specific entry requirement, given the complexity of designing a Nanosat, we anticipate the majority of applications will be from those either in education (ie Sixth form, FE Colleges and University), specialist interest groups or employment.

A total Prize Fund of £600,000 will be made available and will be up to the discretion of the judging panel to identify the winner(s). The prize money will be awarded as a grant.

Based on initial conversations with industry experts such as Clydespace and Spire, the suggested prize fund is recognised as significant enough to;

· engage and incentivise students to want to enter the competition;

· enable entrants to make significant advances to the development, build and even potential launch of their proposals from the UK.

The Department for Transport and UK Space Agency will look to secure partnerships with space sector bodies and industry specialists such as Innovate UK, Satellite Applications Catapult and Leicester Science Park, so that entrants to the competition can receive mentoring and expert advice to help develop their proposals.