Videos highlight Leicesters leading space expertise
Leicester’s leading expertise in cutting-edge space research has been showcased in a series of videos captured during the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong, which is organised by the UK’s Department for International Trade and took place in March of this year.
The videos feature Professor Paul Monks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering, and Dr Suzie Imber, who last year won BBC Two’s ‘Astronauts: Have You Got What It Takes?’, discussing the future of space innovations and the University’s involvement in the BepiColombo mission to Mercury.
Leicester scientists have led on the design and construction of one of the instruments, the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS), which will be part of the mission and will help us to unlock the secrets of Mercury’s enigmatic surface.
The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, thanked the Leicester team for attending the GREAT festival and demonstrating how the UK is at the forefront of space developments. The Secretary of State’s letter signposts the GREAT Festival on-demand channel and a 10 minute film of GREAT Festival highlights, which includes Paul and Suzie, can be watched here:
The Festival took place at a historic moment for the UK, Hong Kong and Asian economies, enabling the exchange of innovations that will drive the future of free trade and build life-long partnerships.
Over four days, the Festival provided a series of thought-provoking and lively keynotes, masterclasses, showcases, installations and performances involving industry leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, educationalists, futurologists to an audience from the UK, Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea and wider region.
Internationally renowned for its world-leading research in space science, technology, engineering and Earth observation, Leicester joined other UK universities in showcasing how leading sectors are collaborating with these unique engines of innovation to gain a competitive edge, strategically linking higher education, research and business to help create tomorrow.
Watch a video of Dr Suzie Imber speaking to six-year-old Rumaysa about slimy aliens, a seven-year trip to Mercury and tiny, tiny rockets: