Space Enthusiasts Reach for The Stars With Their Very Own Satellite Launch
This article was written by one of our Young Reporters, a scheme that gives 14 to 18-year-old school students a chance to write for a real newspaper. Find out more at the Young Reporter website.
While drinking from a can of pop, have you ever thought about sending it to the stars on a small rocket? A few months ago, a group of 6 students at Christ’s Hospital school entered into a unique STEM based competition that allowed them to do just that. A challenge that pushed their critical thinking and team building skills to the limit.
The young Padawans were put together by year 13 student Mimi Ekakitie, a physics fanatic claiming that she is ‘very, very passionate about aerospace’ and aspires to be a spacecraft design engineer in the future.
Mimi has previously been inspired to attempt this kind of ambitious task but never found the time. Eventually, with the help of the school’s head of chemistry and her own determination, Mimi could reach for the stars and create a team that even Spock would be proud of.
The mission they have launched into is part of the UK CanSat competition, which consists of building their own simulation of a real satellite that must be within the dimensions of a can. It should also include systems such as: power, sensors and a communication device.
After they have completed their build, all students will be invited to launch events across the UK. This will involve sending their can-sized satellites up, up and away in a small rocket. Once released, their CanSat’s will ideally have a safe landing with the use of their hand-crafted parachute.
Their first task following the launch is to measure the air pressure and temperature during the satellite’s descent. Next, they must design their very own mission which can fit the capabilities of the CanSat.
So far, the crew has put in hours of time and effort while overcoming numerous challenges. From the start, it was clear that this wasn’t a task for any space tourist as there were many alien aspects for the pupils to decipher. One of the students involved said ‘I was asked to do some things that I had absolutely zero idea of how to do.’
Another obstacle was scheduling and organisation as the team had specific deadlines to meet, such as design reviews and a regional launch on the 10th of march. This was like flying a rocket at light speed through a meteor shower, as they were forced to juggle their extremely busy school lives with this extra-curricular project. However, as their team leader stated ‘it is possible, it’s just about passion,’ which this team undoubtedly possesses.
With their launch fast approaching, the pupils are finally at the stage to assemble their satellite. This is the moment when all the research and effort starts to take shape, as the components begin to form their space oddities.
Following the regional launch, the students will discover if they have qualified for the national launch. The overall winning team will be invited to a European learning and celebration event organised by the European Space Agency. A dream occasion for any physics enthusiast. However, if the students don’t achieve this goal, Mimi is eager to continue with other projects around the school and raise awareness for these types of opportunities.
It is clear that this project has provoked many challenges and stretched the pupils’ abilities. But, overall it has proven to be a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the physics world and witness its obstacles first hand. Hopefully, the CanSat launch won’t only be a small step further in a competition but a giant leap into the aspirations for these aerospace admirers.
