Rocket launches return to Machrihanish Airbase

Fans of all things space-related are guaranteed an out-of-this-world experience when student rocket launches return to Machrihanish Airbase this summer.

 

Now in its third year, organisers say the Mach-23 CanSat Competition and Conference will be bigger than ever.

 

The first two years of the Mach-series of competitions, which began in 2020, have focused on careers in the space industry and hands-on health and safety in launch and propulsion training.

 

The Mach-21 CanSat Competition and Space Careers Conference saw teams build their own CanSat – a simulation of a real satellite integrated within the volume and shape of a can – which was then launched from Machrihanish Airbase at the beginning of the summer.

 

Despite the restrictions due to Covid-19, the competition saw 70 students take part from a range of different universities and degree courses.

 

In 2021/22, Mach-22 was an opportunity for students to develop their practical, hands-on mechanical and electrical skills by designing, building and flying a CanSat and optionally accompanying rocket of their own creation.

 

This competition saw 176 participants take part, between in-person and virtual attendance – 77 in-person and 99 virtual –over a range of degree courses including engineering, chemistry, mathematics and psychology.

 

For the year 2022/23, 100 students from 11 universities are required to build both their CanSat and rocket, launching up to 3km.

 

The event will culminate in five days during which students will be able to launch their rockets and gain insights into careers in the UK space sector as well as participating in upskilling workshops.

 

The event will take place between June 28 and July 2 and will include a community open day on July 1 for audiences of all ages.

 

The activities will include a planetarium brought by Dynamic Earth Enterprises, talks by industry experts, rocket launch demonstrations, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) tabletop activities, bottle rockets competition, presentation of the students’ post flight reviews with an interactive question and answer session and much more.

 

“We look forward to welcoming the local community to the airbase and get them involved in the space sector,” said an event spokesperson.

 

“For more information, check our website – www.discoverspaceuk.com – and our social media pages, and book your ticket for the community open day on Eventbrite.”