Students from the South get the chance to explore the exciting world of space science at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Press release: 31 March 2010

A week after the announcement that the newly created UK Space Agency will be based in Swindon, students from the South of England are getting the chance to find out how they can work in this exciting industry, with a visit to one of the UK’s most important space research centres – the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Didcot. The visit is taking place today (Wednesday 31st March) and is part of the Future Engineers scheme, organised by STEMIT.

Approximately 200 students are getting the chance to feel the excitement of real space programmes at RAL Space, and hear from some of the UK’s leaders in space programmes including Richard Holdaway (Director of Space at RAL Space), Richard Peckham from Astrium (Europe's biggest space company) and Will Whitehorn from Virgin Galactic. There is also an opportunity for the students to get some practical hands-on experience of robotics, Test facilities, and project design.

Professor Richard Holdaway, Director of Space Science at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, said, “RAL Space carries out an exciting range of world-class space research and technology development. With involvement in over 150 cutting edge space missions in recent years, we are well placed to demonstrate the fascinating engineering careers in this area and reveal how the science these students study at school is linked to our understanding of the Universe.”

Stephen Shaw from Future Engineers, said, “The visit to RAL for some 200 aspiring engineering and science students exemplifies all that is good about working with employer groups committed to the next generation of employees.”

Notes for Editors

Contact

• Julia Short
  Tel: +44 (0)1793 442 012
  Mob: +44 (0)7770 276 721
  
  
• Sarah Smart MCIPR
  PR Manager
  Space Science & Technology Department
  STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
  Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 742
  Mob: +44 (0)7920 071 823

The schools taking part in the visit are from Hampshire, Somerset, Kent, Hayes and Portsmouth.

Future Engineers was founded by Dr Stephen Payne Principal Naval Architect for Carnival Shipbuilding and designer of the Queen Mary 2. The challenge is to raise the awareness of engineering to young people enabling them to see the exciting and challenging careers available within a vast array of disciplines.

The STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) provides world-leading research and technology development, space test facilities, instrument and mission design, and studies of science and technology requirements for new missions.