Last autumn, the doors opened at Alton College’s brand new Space and Satellite Hub. One academic year later, it’s time to look back at some of the fantastic events and opportunities that students have experienced as a result of the investment in the Space Hub, which remains one of the few of its kind in the region.
About the Space and Satellite Hub
The Hub was made possible thanks to an investment of over £500,000 from the North Hampshire and Surrey Local Skills Improvement Fund. This investment transformed the lower floor of Alton’s Beacon Science Building into a state-of-the-art learning environment, equipping students with the skills needed to enter the rapidly growing space industry.
Space Technologies Programme
Alton College’s Space Technologies Programme is a one-of-a-kind learning experience that aims to bridge the gap between theory-based learning and the cutting-edge of this exciting industry. The programme typically sees students studying Maths A Level, Physics A Level, and the Extended Certificate in Engineering, all of which are crucial to develop a foundational understanding of space science.
The Hub was made possible thanks to an investment of over £500,000 from the North Hampshire and Surrey Local Skills Improvement Fund.
This programme also includes a residential visit to Surrey Space Centre, where students spend a week studying a Level 4 module in Space Engineering.
Industry Links
Since the launch of the Space Hub last October, Alton’s links with companies in the UK’s space industry have grown rapidly. Surrey and East Hampshire is responsible for 20% of the industry’s income, making it vital that Alton students have the opportunities to forge meaningful connections with these institutions.
Some of the Space Hub’s most significant links with the industry include BAE Systems, Airbus, Surrey Satellite Technology, KISPE, Space South Central, Surrey University and Portsmouth University.
NSA Visit Campus
Earlier in the year, Alton hosted the National Space Academy (NSA) for a masterclass in Space Technology for students on the programme. This gave the students an invaluable opportunity to get a real look at how the space industry operates in the UK.
This visit also allowed students to handle real rocks from the moon and Mars, certainly ticking a few boxes off from their bucket lists. This fantastic visit showcased the true value of the Space Hub, highlighting its crucial role in enriching the education of Alton’s students through extracurricular activities.
CanSat
The development of the Hub and the Space Programme has meant that students at Alton were able to enter the prestigious CanSat competition this year. This competition provides students with the chance to build their own miniature satellite to launch into the atmosphere at events across the UK.
Team Wendle at the CanSat National Final.
Two teams from Alton, Wendle and Ember, entered the competition, with Wendle being just one of nine selected to compete at the National Final, held at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. Wendle managed to win Best Outreach, a testament to the hard work of the team’s five members. Robert Powell, who managed Wendle’s outreach programme, was especially proud:
“It’s such an honour to be recognised as having the Best Outreach in the country! Everyone on the team has worked so hard to get us to the national final, so walking away from the competition with this award truly does mean a lot.”
Surrey Space Centre Residential
The true highlight of the Space Programme came near the end of the academic year, where students on the course had the opportunity to visit Surrey Space Centre for a Space Engineering Training Course. This was a five-day residential trip where the students undertook a variety of space-related activities including workshops on spacecraft structures and electrical power systems, as well as a group project and presentation.
The week at Surrey Space Centre highlighted the importance of the UK space industry to the Alton students, blending both practical and theoretical elements into an unforgettable learning experience.
Ashley Grute, Assistant Principal for Alton’s Curriculum, is very proud of how the Space Hub has transformed life at Alton, saying:
“The Space & Satellite Hub is a fantastic addition to our campus, and places Alton at the very forefront of space education in Hampshire. It’s provided our students with countless opportunities to learn and develop skills whilst enjoying all the fun of one of the most exciting industries in the country!”