AN AEROSPACE engineering company is encouraging Southampton university students to take their first steps into space.

Leonardo, based at First Avenue in the city, wants applications for a space technology competition aimed at attracting people into the space industry.

Entrants could see their ideas turned into a live business project.

The #T-TeC 2021 competition, supported by Leonardo and Telespazio, is aimed at encouraging a new generation of scientists and innovators across the globe by creating a bridge between the academic world of research and the space sector.

Leonardo’s space programme manager Keith Barnes supports technology that is being used on NASA’s Bennu asteroid spacecraft Osiris-Rex, which is currently making its way back to earth. 

He said: “Working in the space sector could supercharge the careers of a new generation of talent, as they will have the chance to work alongside world leading scientists and engineers not just in the UK but all over the world.

“We need to grow skills in the UK to bolster our economy and nurture international careers that push the boundaries of space innovation. The challenges set are exciting. I’m betting the solutions will be too.”

Students and researchers from universities and departments all over the world have until November 14 to submit their solution for one of four categories: Space exploration; in-orbit servicing; geoinformation applications and platforms; and space situational awareness and space traffic management’.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from Telespazio, Leonardo, industry experts and some of the world’s most important space agencies, with cash prizes worth 10,000 euros, 6,000 euros and 4,000 euros. There will also be the possibility of funding research contracts or collaborations for the most promising ideas.

Leonardo’s Southampton factory made infrared sensors for OSIRIS-Rex, the first Nasa mission to visit a near-Earth asteroid. The mission is on its way back from the asteroid Bennu, which has a one in 3,000 chance – considered “relatively high” – of hitting Earth in the 22nd century.

Details of the competition are at telespazio.com/en/innovation/open-innovation/ttec-2021