College students look to the stars on University of Surrey scheme

A-level students at Alton College have been programming Mars rovers and testing the systems on satellites as part of a new scheme from the University of Surrey.  

The SpaceCraft training course gives 16- to 18-year-olds the skills and inspiration needed to embark on a career in space engineering.

It aims to address the shortage of STEM skills needed to keep the region’s booming space sector growing into the future.  

“It’s been really interesting”, said Jacob Robertson, 17.

“In the morning, we’ve had lectures about various parts of spacecraft, and in the afternoon, we’ve been doing practical work.  

“I had an interest in STEM subjects beforehand, but this has really opened my eyes to what it’s all about and given an insight into how the industry works.” 

The SpaceCraft programme is funded by the UK Space Agency and the University of Surrey.

It gives local companies, universities and students access to Surrey’s research facilities, engineers and training courses.  

As part of that offer, the university has teamed up with Alton College to offer the module to A-level and T-level students.

From September, Alton College students will be able to study a new Space Technologies programme, delivered in partnership with SpaceCraft.

It’s hoped many of them will one day contribute to Surrey and Hampshire’s thriving space sector, which as of 2020 comprised 120 organisations with a combined annual turnover of more than £3 billion.

Craig Underwood, emeritus professor of spacecraft engineering, said: “We desperately need more space engineers, so it’s been a pleasure to support this scheme.

“We want to show the next generation of researchers how exciting a career in space can be.  

“It’s been inspiring to see the students grow in confidence and realise just how many challenges their new-found expertise could help solve.” 

Rups Whybrow, STEM lead at Alton College, added: “It’s been really exciting developing this partnership and seeing our students engage with it.

“This course has shown our STEM students how their scientific and mathematical knowledge can be applied in the real world.

"They are getting hands on experience of working with technology that is used in the space industry.

“It’s widened their horizons as to where they can go with the subjects they are studying, and it’s made the staff involved want to go back and study again, too!”