The UK government has launched a competition for young people to help make UK spaceflight history.
The competition will ask the next generation of space scientists to create nanosatellite designs to support the UK’s ambitious decarbonisation targets. Young people are being asked to design a ‘nanosatellite’ with the winning entry destined for space.
With the UK acting as host for both G7 and COP26 this year, the design will also support the UK’s 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.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall to announce the contest on Wednesday (June 9), which is looking for nanosatellite designs which can help support the UK’s decarbonisation targets.
£600,000 prize fund
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 £600,000 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 per cent 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.
First satellite launch from British soil next year
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 added: “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.”
