The adventures of astronauts have inspired the dreams of many young people. But once those dreams collide with the reality of years of demanding training and study, they often fade. Today, space is about much more than high profile crewed missions. In the UK alone, tens of thousands of workers will be needed by the space industry. 

In this episode, part of a series on Engineering Matters Awards winners, we speak to Diversity and Inclusion Champions the UK Space Agency, and learn how their Space for Everyone tour has helped demonstrate the real opportunities available in space, and the wide range of skills the country will need.

The tour saw a full size, 72ft (21m) replica of the first rocket to launch from the UK, crossing the country. It visited towns and cities without an existing link to the sector, and was part of a fuller programme of online and in person engagement, helping to show young people that their space dreams could become real, and the many paths they could take to join the sector. 

Matthew Archer, director of launch, UK Space Agency

Simon Foster, outreach manager, faculty of natural sciences, Imperial College London

The post #281 Engineering Matters Awards: Inclusion champion—Space for Everyone first appeared on Engineering Matters.