This week Matt comes live from the space conference, where he has been talking to various companies including startup Black Arrow Space Technologies about their UK based sea launch idea.
News from the conference
Tim Peake welcomes new UK Space Agency scheme to reach 1 million children a year.
The UK Space Agency has launched an initiative to help the space sector deliver a million engagement activities a year with young people across the UK.
The space sector is booming, generating billions of pounds for our economy and creating 42,000 jobs, which means there is a real need to attract more young people to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The new programme aims to recruit more professionals to enthuse and inspire young people. The scheme will provide training and match them up with opportunities in schools and colleges
British ESA astronaut Tim Peake said: “Space is a fascinating subject that has an incredible capacity to inspire. There are an enormous variety of careers available in the space sector and during my mission to the International Space Station I was part of a team of thousands of people working behind the scenes to make it possible.
“As an ambassador for space careers in the UK I have seen the power of professionals sharing their experiences with young people. This scheme is a great way of helping those young people take their first steps towards an exciting career in space.”
£20 MILLION TO ACCELERATE BRITISH RESEARCH INTO FORECASTING SPACE WEATHER
British satellites will be better protected through a £20m boost to predict severe space weather events, the PM has announced whilst at the UN General Assembly today (Tuesday 24 September).
Space weather, such as flares or winds from the Sun’s surface or geomagnetic storms, can damage our satellites and cause power disruptions, issues to air transportation, and problems across communications systems, such as GPS and mobile phone networks.
The £20m announced today nearly quadruples investment from government into research that can improve systems at the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre. This will build the UK’s knowledge on how to forecast and better prepare for these space weather events.
This new fund will be used to look closely at space weather innovation, measurement, modelling and risk assessment. By predicting when and where space weather events take place, the Met Office can issue warnings and advice that will allow operators to take necessary action, such as manoeuvring satellites and isolating parts of the power network to ensure the least amount of disruption possible.
The UK will also be able to share forecasts with other space weather centres around the world, including the US Space Weather Prediction Centre.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“From solar flares to magnetic storms, space weather can have a massive impact on mobile phones, transport, GPS signals and the electricity networks we rely on every day at home. “The funding announced today will help turn Britain’s pioneering research into practical solutions that will protect against any adverse disruption caused by cosmic chaos.”