Alongside the engineering challenge, participants took part in a range of interactive activities designed to bring space science to life. They explored space weather through practical demonstrations, including using low-cost hobbyist equipment to receive and decode data from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite, producing a live weather image. They also heard from a Telespazio UK engineer working within the European Space Agency’s James Webb Space Telescope team, offering a fascinating insight into one of the world's most ambitious space science missions.
To complement the classroom sessions, students visited Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, where they explored the Mars Rover yard and gained first-hand experience of space manufacturing and engineering in an industrial environment.
The week culminated in each team presenting its satellite solution to a distinguished judging panel comprising Barry Austin; Rebecca Irving, Telecoms Investment Lead at the UK Space Agency; Nick Appleyard, Head of Business Applications and Solutions at the European Space Agency; and Geoff Busswell, Telespazio UK's Vice President of Business Growth, who chaired the panel.
The judges were impressed by the quality, originality and professionalism of all the presentations. After careful deliberation, Team Lifeline was selected as the overall winner for its outstanding solution.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where Geoff Busswell presented every student with a trophy in recognition of their commitment, enthusiasm and achievements throughout the week.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a renewed interest in pursuing careers within the space sector:
- “My passion for aerospace has skyrocketed.”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience at Telespazio UK as the new opportunities that I got to try for the first time and the new skills that I have developed has made this experience one that I will always remember.”
- “Solidified that I definitely want to work within the aerospace industry.”
- “I look more fondly into a career in Aerospace…I feel way more confident about the future.”
- “Being consistently pushed beyond my comfort zone, I have been able to see how much more I am really capable of.”
Chair of the judging panel, Geoff Busswell, added: "The talent, curiosity and determination demonstrated by this year's students was truly inspiring. Throughout the week, they embraced a complex real-world engineering challenge, quickly mastering new concepts, weighing technical trade-offs and working collaboratively to develop innovative solutions. Their creativity, professionalism and confidence shone through in their final presentations to the judging panel, showcasing not only what they had learned, but also their incredible potential. It was a privilege to be part of their journey, and I'm excited to see where their ambitions take them. I already look forward to welcoming the next cohort in 2027."
Telespazio UK is recognised for the expertise of its engineers across Earth Observation and Geoinformation, resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Space Domain Awareness, satellite communications, and systems engineering. As part of the wider Telespazio Group and Leonardo Space, the company recognises that the future of the space industry depends not only on technical excellence but also on inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators.
Through initiatives such as A Week in the Life of a Space Engineer, delivered in collaboration with industry partners, Telespazio UK remains committed to encouraging young people to explore the exciting opportunities the space sector has to offer.
There is ‘Space’ for everyone!
