UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) holds its annual conference this year at the University of Leicester, on March 1 and 2. The National Student Space Conference is UKSEDS’ key opportunity for members to network with space research, academic and industry specialists and to learn more about professional registration and development with partners such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Last year’s conference, held in Bristol, was a sell-out.
This year’s speakers include Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency and Major Tim Peake, among a range of research and industry experts from organisations such as the National Space Academy, Airbus, Big Bang Fairs and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Workshops and competitions are also a feature of the two-day event. A Spacecraft Operations Training simulator is being run by Telespazio VEGA, the German aerospace company which is one of the conference’s gold sponsors, with sessions available throughout the weekend.
Chair of UKSEDS Jeremy Nickless, who works at Reaction Engines, encouraged the Institution to take part this year, following the success of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s attendance in 2013.
Lara Mallett, Business Development Manager for the East Midlands and Paul Merrick, an IMechE Professional Development Consultant will host the Institution’s stand during the weekend, alongside Kush Patel (IMechE Chair of the Young Members panel Leicestershire) and fellow Young Members Samuel Hutchinson, Vikaraman Rajaratanam and Liam Kennedy.
Jeremy Nickless said: “The National Student Space Conference is our biggest event of the year. Students get a fantastic opportunity to learn from and network with people from the international aerospace industry, to take part in seminars, and to focus on mapping out the steps they may take after they graduate, when they move from being part of a student society to being aligned with the professional and learned body that supports their chosen career. It’s a key moment to engage with the Institution, with its UK and international reach, and of great value to all.”
Lara Mallett added: “The Institution supports engineering employers of all sizes working within the space sector, so is pleased to be a sponsor at UKSEDS this year. I work closely with universities across the East Midlands region to support mechanical engineering undergraduates with information about professional registration and careers within engineering. Taking part in UKSEDS is a great opportunity to meet students who are looking to work as graduate engineers in the space sector. It’s also a chance to offer advice and guidance about how professional registration with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers can benefit their long-term career and offer them access to a global network of professional engineers working within the space industry.”
http://ukseds.org/nssc2014/