PRESS RELEASE
Last week the gates at Goonhilly Earth Station opened for several high profile events.
Twenty-three Lower Sixth pupils spent the week learning about satellite communications and space technology during the annual Goonhilly Summer School. Participating schools included Falmouth School, Truro & Penwith College, and Truro School, but also places further away such as Callington College and St. Aidan’s School in Harrogate. Parents and teachers were invited to the final project presentations on Friday, and feedback from the students showed that the Summer School has helped to strengthen their plans to pursue space related studies (including physics and computer science) at university. One of the students said “I have gained an increased awareness of career options in the space sector, and the different routes to employment in the UK, as well as the range of jobs available”.
On Thursday afternoon, the students got the chance to learn about space careers during a networking afternoon co-organised by Goonhilly and Local Group UK of Women in Aerospace Europe. Professionals from the aerospace sector, engineers, and interested locals were able to attend this free event together with a tour of the earth station. Key speakers included Ross James, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, and Melissa Thorpe from Spaceport Cornwall, who gave an overview of UK-wide and Cornwall based efforts to launch suborbital flights and small satellites from the UK. The afternoon was rounded off by the first edition of the “5° – Mix & Mingle at Goonhilly” networking reception, where participants from Penzance to Glasgow were able to establish new business connections.
Sixty more pupils and their teachers from six local schools were welcomed to the site on Friday to be trained as Science Ambassadors in a workshop lead by Dr. Jenny Search from the Institute of Physics. With the help of trained STEM Ambassadors, the pupils experienced scientific principles around space topics through hands-on exercises, and will be able to apply their enthusiasm and understanding of science as Science Ambassadors back in their schools.
With a professional training course in Space Mission Operations scheduled at Goonhilly for October and a group of representatives from Goonhilly, Women in Aerospace Europe and the Women’s Engineering Society having completed a workshop on future collaborative initiatives, more events will be on the horizon soon.
About Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd
Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd (GES) acquired the world-famous Goonhilly Satellite Station in 2014. It is an independent, privately-owned SME providing a complete range of satellite communications services and growing an ever wider range of space and data related services.
GES clients include some of the largest global satellite operators such as SES, Inmarsat, Eutelsat, Hughes, Hispasat and Planet Labs. Working alongside ESA, QinetiQ, BAE Systems and SSTL, GES is developing the world’s first private Deep Space Communication system. GES also has close relationships with a wide range of leading universities including Oxford, Manchester, Leeds, Southampton, Durham, Herts to enhance UK capabilities in Radio Astronomy.
In December 2015 it was announced that Goonhilly is to become an Enterprise Zone as part of the expanded Newquay Airport Aerohub Enterprise Zone. Goonhilly also hosts the Sat Apps Catapult South West Regional Centre of Excellence.
The Goonhilly infrastructure including 24/7 operations, diverse power, 200 GBit/s diverse tier-1 Internet connectivity and a wide range of antennas makes it an ideal satellite TV partner.
CONTACTS
Dr. Kat Hickey
Business Development and Training Manager
T: +44(0)1326 336723
E: kat.hickey@goonhilly.org
W: www.goonhilly.org
Ian Jones
CEO
T: +44(0)1326 336700
M: +44(0)7774 720118
E: ian.jones@goonhilly.org
W: www.goonhilly.org
twitter: @goonhillyorg
Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, Goonhilly Downs, Helston, Cornwall, UK TR12 6LQ
