Blast Off to Education: Spaceport Cornwall Welcomes Replica Rocket

The UK Space Agency’s 72ft replica rocket, a centrepiece of last summer’s “Space For Everyone” UK Tour, has landed at Spaceport Cornwall, Newquay.

After a successful tour that captivated over 100,000 visitors across 13 cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the impressive replica will now play a pivotal role in educating and inspiring the next generation.

Spaceport Cornwall’s Free Exhibition

As Spaceport Cornwall gears up for Space Exploration Day on 20th July, the replica rocket is set to be a star attraction in a free space-based exhibition. This exhibition aims to ignite interest in space and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields among schoolchildren and the wider community. The rocket’s return is perfectly timed to celebrate the historic moon landing of 1969, aiming to inspire future astronauts and engineers right here in Cornwall.

Educational Tours for Schools

Schools are invited to book educational tours, offering a unique, hands-on learning experience. These tours, lasting 1.5 hours, will allow students to get up close to the rocket, delve into the spaceport’s clean rooms, and explore satellite technology. The tours will provide insight into what satellites are used for and how they are launched into space, and also highlight diverse career opportunities in the space sector.

Fritha Durham, Outreach and Education Coordinator at Spaceport Cornwall, emphasised the significance of this opportunity: “There is so much potential and opportunity in Cornwall right now for young people to have rewarding careers within the space industry and wider STEM sectors without having to move out of the county. The rocket is a fantastic asset that will allow us to inspire and engage young minds in the world of STEM.”

Inspiring the Future Workforce

The “Space For Everyone” tour, which saw the replica rocket travel across the UK, aimed to promote the varied and exciting career paths available in the space industry. Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, highlighted the importance of the rocket’s new home: “The display of the replica rocket at Spaceport Cornwall will again support outreach to the local community and inspire the next generation of professionals for the South West Space Cluster. Through initiatives like the ‘Space For Everyone’ tour we aim to inspire a future workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and growth in the UK space industry.”

With this initiative, Spaceport Cornwall and the UK Space Agency are ensuring that the future of space exploration and STEM careers is accessible to all, starting with the bright young minds in Cornwall. Schools interested in booking a tour can contact Spaceport Cornwall directly to arrange a visit.