Space students to convene at University of Leicester for national conference

The University of Leicester is to host the National Student Space Conference (NSSC) 2025, the flagship event of the UK’s national student and early professional space charity.

Held by UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS) on 1-2 March, the conference expects to draw over 500 delegates interested in space to the city that is the home of Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park, and the National Space Centre.

Now in its 37th year, the NSSC is the premier event for students interested in space, uniting them with academics and professionals from across the country to network, share knowledge, and discuss the challenges facing the sector.

The programme this year includes talks and panels on Mars missions, space law, satellite constellations, space sustainability, as well as exciting workshops in rocketry, coding, CV writing, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and connect with industry leaders, experts, and fellow students from around the UK; participate in workshops and interactive sessions to develop skills and unleash their potential; hear from inspiring speakers and learn about their journeys to success in the space industry, stay up-to-date with the latest developments and breakthroughs in the space industry; explore career paths in the industry and gain insights into what it takes to succeed; and engage in discussions and share knowledge and ideas with other attendees, speakers, and experts.

The speakers this year include a number of University of Leicester academics, including Professor Martin Barstow, Professor John Remedios, Dr Daniel Hao, while Professor Leigh Fletcher and Space Park Leicester’s Josh Barker will join the Building Your Future in Space panel.

This year, the conference will take place at the Sir Bob Burgess Building on the University of Leicester campus from 1-2 March, hosted by AstRoSoc, the University of Leicester's Astronomy and Rocketry Society.

Abigail Neilson, Treasurer of AstRoSoc, said: “We are excited to be hosting this year’s NSSC and eager for the conference to be successful and enjoyable for all. Bringing the event to Leicester means we can showcase our local space industry and enthusiasm for the sector. Our AstRoSoc team have been working hard behind the scenes to make this event a phenomenal one. We look forward to inviting all our visitors to the University of Leicester!”

The University of Leicester has a 60-plus year heritage as a hub for the UK space sector and collaborator with international space agencies. Since the formation of the University’s Space Research Group, now the largest in Europe, it has been involved in more than 90 space missions and had at least one instrument operating in space in each year since 1967.

Anna Kalapurakkal (UKSEDS Executive Trustee), said: “We at UKSEDS are thrilled to be bringing NSSC to Leicester this year - a true UK space hub at the forefront of space exploration, innovation, and advancement. We look forward to welcoming all Leicester space enthusiasts to an impactful weekend.”

The National Student Space Conference was first held in 1989 at London’s Science Museum and now welcomes hundreds of students and recent graduates from across the country. It is open to all, and features talks by leading academics and industry figures, a careers fair, and opportunities to take part in discussions and networking. The past speaker line up has included the likes of Daniel Tani, Tim Peake, Dallas Campbell, and Kathryn D. Sullivan. 

• Ticket sales close at 23:59 on 27 February, register via the UKSEDS website.