Centenary events

Space Park Leicester launch

Space Park Leicester launch

Space Park Leicester, the University’s pioneering space research, innovation and teaching cluster was officially opened by ESA astronaut Tim Peake on Monday 14 March 2022. Alongside his duties at the formal opening ceremony, Major Peake took part on Mars Day activities with schoolchildren from local schools and was given a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities by Space Park Leicester Executive Director Professor Richard Ambrosi.

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Also in attendance were Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, University of Leicester Vice-Chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah and Science Minister George Freeman MP, together with scientists, researchers and representatives from the local community.Sixty pupils from Belgrave St Peters Church of England Primary School and Wolsey House Primary School who attended the launch were among 160,000 children across the UK who engaged with activities hosted from Space Park Leicester in celebration of Mars Day.

“Leicester has long been a key location for the UK’s space sector, and it is a real privilege to formally open Space Park Leicester just a short distance away from the National Space Centre,” said Major Peake. “Every successful space mission call for experts from a wide range of backgrounds to pull together and collaborate to answer bigger questions: and that’s exactly what somewhere like Space Park Leicester helps to provide.”

ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.

14/3/22 - ESA astronaut Major Tim Peake at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.

Science Minister George Freeman MP at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.

14/3/22 - Science Minister George Freeman MP at the launch event for Space Park Leicester.

Sir Peter Soulsby, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Professor Sarah Davies, Major Tim Peake, Professor Richard Ambrosi, George Freeman MP

14/3/22 - (L-R) Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor; Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor; Professor Sarah Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering; Major Tim Peake, ESA astronaut; Professor Richard Ambrosi, Executive Director of Space Park Leicester; George Freeman MP, Science Minister.

Professor Emma Bunce, Major Tim Peake, Professor Anu Ojha and Dr Rob Parker taking part in a discussion panel at the Space Park Leicester launch.

14/3/22 - Professor Emma Bunce, Major Tim Peake, Professor Anu Ojha and Dr Rob Parker taking part in a discussion panel at the Space Park Leicester launch.

Major Tim Peake explaining the workings of an ESA spacesuit to local schoolchildren.

14/3/22 - Major Tim Peake explaining the workings of an ESA spacesuit to local schoolchildren.

Major Tim Peake with pupils from two Leicester schools at the launch of Space Park Leicester.

14/3/22 - Major Tim Peake with pupils from two Leicester schools at the launch of Space Park Leicester.

Pupils from local schools taking part in Mars Day practical activities as part of the Space Park Leicester launch.

14/3/22 - Pupils from local schools taking part in Mars Day practical activities as part of the Space Park Leicester launch.

Visitors to the Space Park Leicester launch event being shown around the facilities.

14/3/22 - Visitors to the Space Park Leicester launch event being shown around the facilities.

Major Tim Peake being shown the work of local schoolchildren, created for the’ Little Inventors in Space’ scheme.

14/3/22 - Major Tim Peake being shown the work of local schoolchildren, created for the’ Little Inventors in Space’ scheme.

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