Media Invited to NSSC2015 This Weekend

by UKSEDS on 25th February 2015 in Conference, Events, Press releases

UKSEDS National Student Space Conference 2015 Press Release

25 February 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UKSEDS National Student Space Conference 2015

28 February – 1 March 2015, University of Surrey

Invitation to Media

The 27th Annual UKSEDS National Student Space Conference will be held this weekend at the University of Surrey in a record sell-out event.

Media are invited to attend the UKSEDS National Student Space Conference (NSSC) — the premier event for space students — bringing together students, academics, and professionals from across the country to share knowledge of space, discuss the challenges facing the sector, and to create new links between groups. It features talks by leading space science and industry figures, a careers fair, and opportunities to take part in discussions and networking events.

This year’s event has attracted over 300 students, speakers and sponsors in a record sell-out event. In addition to a wide range of speakers, NSSC 2015 will play host to Bridget, Airbus Defence & Space’s prototype Mars Rover. Bridget will be accompanied by keynote speaker, Abbie Hutty, a Spacecraft Structures Engineer on the ExoMars Rover Project. The Conference will also feature a keynote by Dr Matt Taylor, Project Scientist on the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta mission which after ten years in the making deployed a lander (Philae) to the surface of a comet for the first time in history.

The conference will play host to the largest space careers fair with the leaders of the UK space sector exhibiting throughout both days. In the programme is a free networking reception sponsored by Satellite Applications Catapult on Saturday evening, which will provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to network with potential employers. The reception will also feature a raffle with prizes, and the presentation of the inaugural UKSEDS National Awards, which recognises outstanding achievements by students in the exploration and development of space.

On Sunday, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) Student Paper Competition will be launched, which enables undergraduate or postgraduate students the opportunity to attend the world’s largest astronautics/space engineering conference, which this year will be held in Jerusalem, Israel. The nominations for the Sir Arthur Clarke Awards (SACAs) will also be opened, given in recognition of notable contributions to space exploration, to be presented at a Ceremony during The UK Space Conference 2015 Dinner in Liverpool on 14 July.

The Conference is run and organised by UKSEDS, the UK’s student space society, which unites space-enthusiasts at universities across the country. A different UKSEDS branch hosts the conference each year, and this year it will be hosted by Surrey Electronics and Amateur Radio Society (EARS), at the University of Surrey. UKSEDS’ founding conference was held in 1988 at the Science Museum, London, making this year’s event its 27th. A full programme can be found here.

The conference is made possible by the kind sponsorship of Printech Circuit Laboratories, Reaction Engines Ltd, HE Space, Satellite Applications Catapult, CGI and Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), ClydeSpace, Innovate UK (Technology Strategy Board), the Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme (Royal Academy of Engineering/Royal Aeronautical Society), International Space University (ISU), Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), Umeå University, and the support of Airbus Defence and Space, UK Space Agency, European Southern Observatory (ESO), British Interplanetary Society (BIS), University of Surrey and Surrey EARS.

We encourage Twitter users to follow the hashtag #NSSC2015. For further information please visit: ukseds.org/nssc2015

CONTACTS

For press enquiries, please contact [email protected]

NOTES FOR EDITORS

ABOUT THE UK NATIONAL STUDENT SPACE CONFERENCE (NSSC)

The National Student Space Conference brings together students, academics, and professionals from across the country to share knowledge of space, discuss the challenges facing the sector, and to create new links between groups. It features talks by leading space science and industry figures, a careers fair, and opportunities to take part in discussions and networking events.

ABOUT UKSEDS

UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS) is the UK’s national student space society. We support students and enthusiasts across the country by running space projects, hosting conferences and workshops, and doing outreach to inspire and educate. We’re keen to build links between different parts of the space community, and to promote space beyond that.

UKSEDS, formed in 1988, is the UK chapter of SEDS, the world’s largest space enthusiast organisation for both school and university students. SEDS was founded in 1980 by students at MIT and Princeton University and now has more than 60 chapters worldwide.

Contact: [email protected]

ukseds.org | @ukseds | fb.com/ukseds

UKSEDS is a charitable body, registered in England & Wales, with registration number 1158580.

ABOUT SURREY EARS

A branch of UKSEDS, the Electronics & Amateur Radio Society (EARS) at the University of Surrey aims to promote and support members with all aspects of electronics, amateur radio and space technology.