Space City welcomes MP to discuss UK in space
The Minister for Europe and North America, Stephen Doughty MP, paid a visit to Space City on Thursday 28 August to discuss UK-EU co-operation in space and what this will mean for the UK, including for industries based in the East Midlands.
Involving a visit to the National Space Centre to highlight past UK contributions to the space industry and a visit to Space Park Leicester to look to the future of the UK’s involvement in space, the day culminated in a discussion featuring guests from a broad range of space organisations including the Midlands Space Cluster, the National Centre for Earth Observation and Airbus Defence and Space.
The day started at the National Space Centre, viewing British contributions to space science, such as the MOP-4 satellite and Bepi Colombo’s MIXS instrument, developed by the University of Leicester and soon to be arriving at Mercury. There was also a tour of the Into Space gallery, focusing on Tim Peake’s journey to the International Space Station and the work and research he conducted whilst there.
The Minister concluded the day at the National Space Centre’s close neighbour Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s pioneering £100 million science and innovation park. There he heard from key figures from industry and academia in the East Midlands on what greater UK-EU cooperation on space will mean for the UK.
A roundtable discussion was attended by representatives from the University and Space Park Leicester, the National Centre for Earth Observation, the Midlands Space Cluster and businesses with a presence at Space Park Leicester. The Minister was shown examples of ongoing UK-EU cooperation in the development of new spacecraft technologies, satellite applications and services, as well as collaborations relating to life sciences and terrestrial industrial activities benefiting from the technical expertise and facilities at Space Park.
Chas Bishop, Chief Executive of the National Space Centre said, “The Minister was very engaged not only in the direct industrial applications of space but also its context for developing science and engineering talent. National Space Academy students go on to fantastic careers in space and aerospace, and it was great to be able to show off space activity in which the Leicester, the East Midlands and the UK leads the world. “
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “The University’s 60-year history of space science and innovation has been built on international collaboration, including involvement in ambitious projects with partners in Europe. We welcome the opportunity to showcase some of those to the Minister, alongside the cutting-edge research, teaching and innovation taking place at our pioneering science park. Space Park Leicester is the product of joined-up thinking that connects political partners with the University and industry, demonstrating the power of collaboration in making an impact in our region and beyond.”