Portsmouth cosmologists join UK Space Agency 'Space for Everyone' tour

Staff from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation joined the UK Space Agency’s new awe-inspiring 'Space for Everyone’ tour, which launched in Southampton this week.

Visitors to the roadshow at West Bargate in Southampton were able to learn about importance of space and how it impacts our life on Earth and find out about the exciting career opportunities in the UK's flourishing space industry.

The University's stand was only at the event on Thursday (2 June), but the tour will be sticking around until Monday (5 June) before moving onto nine further locations around the UK throughout the year. This includes a 72ft replica LauncherOne rocket!

The tour was officially opened by Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, Ian Annett, and ESA reserve astronaut, Meganne Christian. Throughout the duration of the event, local and national space businesses and STEAM organisations will be in attendance, highlighting the thriving industry in the South of England and beyond.

The 'Space for Everyone' tour will serve as a beacon of inspiration, shedding light on the pivotal role that space plays in enhancing life on Earth. Visitors, including children, families, and teachers, will have the unique opportunity to witness first-hand how space technologies benefit our daily lives and gain insights into the continuous efforts to explore the great unknown.

UK ESA reserve astronaut, Meganne Christian, said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Space for Everyone tour and really looking forward to coming to Southampton to meet some of our next generation of space professionals. Space is such an exciting sector to work in, where the possibilities are truly endless.

“I have worked with people of many different backgrounds and expertise in my journey to becoming a member of the European Space Agency astronaut reserve, so I know how important it is to make sure that young people everywhere have access to the learning and inspiration they need to consider a future in space.

The University of Portsmouth is a founding member of Space South Central, the UK’s largest regional space cluster, funded by the UK Space Agency.  Space South Central champions the space industry across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight to fuel innovation and growth through new business and academic collaborations regionally, nationally and internationally.

Space South Central’s Enterprise Network Director, Dr Louise Butt, said: “Space technologies have such a huge impact on our daily lives. Farming, banking, healthcare and communications are just some of the areas that rely on satellites orbiting the earth, yet most of us fail to realise the significance of space. Therefore, opportunities for young people to find out about space and explore the range of amazing careers available to them is so vital. 

“Space South Central is the largest regional space cluster in the UK with more than 130 space businesses all looking for new and emerging talent so it is fantastic that the ‘Space For Everyone’ tour kicks off here.”

Space for Everyone promises an immersive experience, incorporating state-of-the-art virtual reality headsets to provide unparalleled insights into what a launch from the UK looks like, and the job roles involved in making it happen. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore various interactive areas, learning about the crucial role of satellites and discovering the diverse career paths available within the UK space industry.

Admission to the roadshows is free, with no booking required, and while the event is primarily targeted towards children aged 9 to 18, it is guaranteed to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) in individuals of all ages. 

For further information about the Space for Everyone: Rocket Roadshow, please visit https://spaceperson.co.uk/rocket-tour/ or follow @spacegovuk on social media.