Bath alumnus sends students into space

Having studied Electronic Engineering with Space Science Technology at the University of Bath, Andrew Bacon is now helping future engineers discover their passion for space.

With two colleagues, Andrew devised and runs MARSBalloon, a free project open to all UK schools that sends student science experiments 30 kilometres up into Earth’s atmosphere on a high altitude balloon. At this altitude, gas pressure, temperature and radiation are very similar to conditions on the surface of Mars, making it an ideal testing ground for anything that humans or robots might be doing on Mars in the future. Click here to watch the last MARSBalloon flight and visit their website to find out about this exciting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) project!

MARSBalloon was inspired by the need to show how fun and diverse careers in space engineering and science can be. Following the  UK Government’s commitment to quadrupling the size of the UK space industry by 2030, Britain needs 70,000 new space engineers, operators and scientists in the next 15 years to continue the vital work that space science and satellites do for our world.

Andrew has previously led four high altitude balloon missions with experiments from over 100 UK schools, and he hopes that for some of the students who take part, MARSBalloon is the first step towards a career in space.

This will be our fifth MARSBalloon launch and we are excited about getting some new schools involved as we are always amazed by the experiments that students come up with! While the goal of the project is to encourage young people to think about careers in space, it’s also great to see the real Mars science that is carried out by four to 18 year olds.” Andrew Bacon, Senior Space Systems Engineer, Thales Alenia Space UK

As well as inspiring the next generation, Andrew is also looking forward to being part of the future of the space industry himself. At 28 years old, he is a Senior Space Systems Engineer at Thales Alenia Space UK, based in Bristol. In his day job, he designs scientific space missions and instruments to orbit Earth and explore the solar system. 

To become a space engineer, Andrew studied maths and physics at A level, undertook an undergraduate and master’s course in Electronic Engineering and Space Science at the University of Bath, which included a 12 month industrial placement repairing hospital equipment. Following a  two month Summer placement at Clyde Space, Andrew movied to Bristol and joined Thales Alenia Space UK.

Andrew hopes that projects like MARSBalloon will raise awareness of the opportunities in the space industry. “As the sector continues to grow in the UK, there are some fantastic jobs out there. If you have an interest in space, no matter your age or qualifications, I would really recommend looking into a career in this expanding and exhilarating industry!”

To find out more about a career with Thales Alenia Space UK, please visit our careers site.