Loughborough College Space Engineering students have assisted on work crucial to future Mars exploration – and featured at a major international science conference.
Hannah Coleman and Matthew Clarke were highlighted at the largest event of its kind in Europe in a presentation from John Holt, from the University of Leicester’s Space Research Centre, for their work with him testing a brand new, cutting edge facility.
The pair, who study on the pioneering College programme in association with the National Space Academy, recently joined John at the University and were trained to use full bio-containment protection and helped test a new facility, the Double Walled Isolator (DWI), which is being developed for the future handling of samples returned from Mars.
John, who works in the field of astrobiology and has developed tools and instruments which have been used in space, was invited by the British Embassy to address the annual European Researchers’ Event in Slovakia and he explained that with a projected worth of around 20 million Euros, the samples would be protected from contamination by the new facility – which is also designed to prevent the release of toxins or pathogens.
Hannah said: “This really was a once in a lifetime experience. It was so interesting to work in a clean room and assist John with this facility which one day will hopefully contain samples from Mars.
“I am thoroughly enjoying the Space Engineering course – the combination of Maths and Physics A-levels with BTEC Engineering, taught in a space context, is great and the course gives us so many exciting opportunities.
“We’re keeping in touch with John so he can update us on the fascinating work he is doing. This gave me a brilliant insight which will be so valuable if, as I hope, I go on to study physics and space at university and work in the international space sector.”
Dr Zoe Washington, who heads the Space Engineering programme at Loughborough College, added: “Working with a world class research engineer, who has developed numerous instruments flown in space, was an amazing opportunity for our space students.
“It was a chance for Hannah and Matthew to see how the engineering concepts they are learning about in their BTEC are actually applied in real-life, cutting edge, space technology. To then also contribute, in a really meaningful way, to the research programme, was an opportunity other students don't get.
“To then have their contribution to the research on an isolation unit for potential Mars sample return presented at an international conference demonstrates the level of engineering our students are immersed in.”
Students on the Space Engineering programme at Loughborough College all have the opportunity for a work placement with engineering and science research organisations and in previous years some of their work has appeared in published papers, with the students cited as contributing authors.
The European Researchers’ Event connects more than 1400 scientists and attracts more than 200,000 visitors.
Pictured: Loughborough College Space Engineering students Hannah Coleman and Matthew Clarke have assisted with work vital to Mars exploration and featured in a presentation from the University of Leicester’s John Holt at a major international science conference