Britain's Space Pioneers Touch Down in Leicester for Major UK in Space Festival

BRITAIN'S SPACE PIONEERS TOUCH DOWN IN LEICESTER FOR MAJOR UK IN SPACE FESTIVAL

TV Expert and Author, Dallas Campbell, will join leading scientists, engineers and space experts in Leicester this September for a major festival celebrating Britain's booming space sector and inspiring the next generation to become part of it.

The UK in Space Festival returns to the National Space Centre on Sunday 20 September 2026, bringing together some of the people working at the forefront of space exploration, satellite technology, planetary science and astronomy for a packed day of talks, live science, workshops and hands-on experiences.

For anyone inspired by space, whatever their age or stage of life, the event also offers opportunities to speak with scientists, engineers and academics about the many different careers, training routes and opportunities available across the UK space sector.

Broadcaster and author Dallas Campbell, familiar to millions from programmes including *The Gadget Show, Bang Goes the Theory, Supersized Earth, Stargazing Live* and *The Sky at Night*, will deliver the festival's keynote presentation inside the UK's largest planetarium and will also meet visitors and sign copies of his latest book afterwards, and during the festival.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to hear directly from people tackling some of the most fascinating challenges facing science and the space industry including how "space tow trucks" could help remove dead satellites and keep Earth's increasingly busy orbital highways safe and how ordinary members of the public can become "Walrus Detectives", using satellite imagery to count Arctic walruses and help scientists understand the impact of climate change.

The festival will also put Leicester's own space and planetary science expertise firmly in the spotlight, with experts talks looking at:

• How the Solar System formed and evolved
• What rocks and sediments can reveal about other worlds
• UK-built technology helping scientists understand the Northern Lights
• Britain's satellite future, space security and connectivity
• The next generation of space telescopes
• New science emerging from the Chicxulub crater created by the asteroid impact that was associated with the extinction of dinosaurs!

The wide range of topics being explored demonstrate how scientists working here in Leicester are contributing to research that stretches from beneath Earth's oceans to asteroids and other worlds.

**Malika Andress, Head of Marketing at the National Space Centre, said: "The UK in Space Festival is one of those days that really demonstrates just how exciting, diverse and surprising the space industry has become.

"Space isn't simply about astronauts and rockets. It's about climate change, communications, engineering, sustainability, understanding our own planet and developing technologies that could transform how we explore the Universe.

"What makes the festival particularly special is being able to meet the people actually doing this work. For young people especially, we want the day to demonstrate that a career in space isn't some distant dream. There are people working in this industry right now, including scientists here in Leicester, and there are many more ways to become part of it than people might imagine."**

The Centre's Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium will host a programme of immersive shows throughout the day, and visitors will also have full access to the National Space Centre's exhibition galleries and iconic Rocket Tower throughout the day.

Entry to the UK in Space Festival is included with a National Space Centre Annual Pass with visitors who purchase a standard admission ticket being able to claim an Annual Pass at no additional cost, subject to terms and conditions.

Advance booking is highly recommended.

For tickets, the latest programme and further information visit: https://www.spacecentre.co.uk/whats-on/uk-in-space-festival/

*ENDS*

EDITOR'S NOTES

About the National Space Centre

The National Space Centre is the UK's largest visitor attraction dedicated to space.

The National Space Centre opened to the public in June 2001 and has welcomed almost six million visitors, including more than 1.5 million schoolchildren.

The National Space Centre is the Millennium Commission landmark project for the East Midlands. It was co-founded by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Its other founding partners are BT and East Midlands Development Agency.

In 2025, the National Space Centre was awarded the national Silver Award by VisitEngland for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.