Over 18000 people currently work in fascinating space careers throughout the UK. The space sector is a thriving international business that provides employment for people with a wide range of skills including:
What do these people do?
Many of these skills are used in the building of satellites. The satellite services sector is one of the biggest growth areas for space jobs. Direct broadcast satellites, digital audio radio and internet services via satellite are among the fastest growing sectors in the space industry.
Most information gathered from satellites is processed through software systems and this provides another avenue for space careers. Information technology is used extensively in the space sector for analysing Earth Observation data, developing software to go onboard satellites and to control them from the ground.
There are also opportunities to work on missions and international projects, furthering our understanding of Earth, the Solar System and the galaxy beyond.
To find out more see our Career Files.
What qualifications do I need?
Many companies in the UK offer an Apprenticeship Scheme, aimed at 16-20 year olds, which combines further education with valuable practical experience leading to a career in IT or electronics, manufacturing or mechanical engineering. To qualify, applicants must have 4 GCSEs (at grade C or above), including maths and two science subjects. To find out more, visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in a new window)
To work on a space project at a university or research institute, a good degree in a relevant science is usually essential. For more information on university degrees in this area, visit the University & Colleges Admissions Service at www.ucas.com (link opens in a new window)
Remember, that there are many different ways to become involved in the space industry, but that most people come from a science, maths, engineering or IT background.
Who are the employers?
Research institutes and universities offer many opportunities, ranging from permanent positions building instruments to discover other planets, to research posts analysing data from Earth observation satellites. The Rutherford Appleton laboratory, University College London and Bristol and Southampton Universities are just some of the organisations with a large presence in the space sector.
Astrium accounts for a large proportion of total employment in the UK space sector, while one of the largest employers in the space software arena is Logica. QinetiQ is Europe's largest independent community of scientists, technologists and engineers and recruits over 300 graduates a year.
But I want to be an astronaut!
To become an astronaut, you will have to demonstrate a high level of fitness. You will need to show you have the right mental attitude to spend long periods of time in space. Scientific and technical competence is essential, particularly in engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology or Earth sciences. All candidates should have a first degree, and many mission specialists also have a PhD. Budding astronauts should investigate the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut programme, which selects and trains European astronauts.
The UK is a member of ESA and so UK nationals can apply to take part in its astronaut programme. However, where there are candidates of equal merit, priority is generally given to candidates from countries that fund the manned space missions. UK space policy supports unmanned, robotic missions as the most effective way to explore space, so currently the UK does not fund the ESA human space flight programme.
Visit the European Astronauts Centre website at www.spaceflight.esa.int (link opens in a new window) to find out more.
