EESW CubeSat Challenge Funding Award

EESW is excited and grateful to announce that it has received funding through Wales Space Cluster Catalyst Fund from the UK Space Agency, and supported by Space Wales and the Llywodraeth Cymru/Welsh Government, to run a project called the Cube/Nanocube Satellite Challenge.

Our project, with the University of South Wales, was one of just 6 projects that will receive funding.  The other recipients, some collaborating on multiple projects, being Snowdonia Space Centre - Canolfan Gofod Eryri and Newton Launch Systems Ltd,
Entangled Space with Exotopic, Excelerate Technology Group, University of South Wales and Space Forge.

Read the full press release announcement at: www.spacewales.co.uk/news

The EESW CubeSat Challenge invites pupils aged 11–14 to step into the roles of scientists, engineers and mission designers as they work together to build and launch their very own miniature space-ready satellites.  Working in teams of ten, students will assemble Cube or NanoCube satellites, learning first-hand how real aerospace engineers design systems, integrate sensors and test technology destined for the edge of space.

But building the satellite is only the beginning.  Each team will craft a mission brief that uses live data collected by their on-board instruments, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, GPS and atmospheric readings, to answer real scientific questions about our planet.  Once complete, the satellites will be lifted high into the upper atmosphere giving students the rare chance to analyse data gathered from near-space conditions.

This is a unique opportunity for pupils and teachers to engage in hands-on STEM learning that blends creativity, teamwork and cutting-edge technology.  By taking part, students will not only discover how science and engineering shape our world—they’ll also experience the excitement of pushing beyond the horizon.

The project will involve a commitment from schools for teams of 10 pre-GCSE space or science enthusiasts and a supporting member of staff, to attend a workshop day at the University of South Wales, where they’ll receive their satellite kit, and find out more about how they work and how they are assembled.  This visit will be arranged for late January, and you’ll get another opportunity to visit for further support in late February before mission plans and satellites are ready for the launch event in late March.

More details will follow, please email us info@stemcymru.org.uk, with your expression of interest if you would like to be considered.