Monday 25 July 2022

Glasgow University team wins £600k climate satellite design competition

A team of students from the University of Glasgow has won a £600,000 government-run competition to develop a climate change satellite for launch from the UK.

The 10 students designed a satellite to analyse shorelines and coastal vegetation to help scientists and policymakers understand the impact of climate change on coastal regions.

The Nanosat Design Competition, run by the UK Space Agency and the Department for Transport, had invited aspiring space scientists to design a small satellite suitable for launch from the UK to help inform solutions to climate change.

The winning team named OirthirSAT from Glasgow beat more than 40 teams, aged between 16 and 37.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency added: “Satellite technology plays a crucial role in monitoring our climate and it is fantastic to see so many innovative ideas to help tackle the most pressing issue facing our planet. My congratulations go to the winners from the University of Glasgow for their excellent design.

“The countdown to the first satellite launch from UK soil is on and this will be a historic year for our space sector. Being the first country in Europe to offer launch will boost our satellite industry further, creating hundreds of new jobs across the UK.”

The OirthirSAT team will use the prize money to build their satellite with ongoing support from the competition’s mentors to help develop their proposal from design to build, with a view to launching from the UK in the coming years.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “With satellite launches due to start from home soil this year, there is no better time to support the next generation of space experts in developing satellites to support our mission against climate change.

“My congratulations go to OirthirSAT and everyone shortlisted for their hard work throughout this competition and I applaud the innovation all the teams have shown throughout.”