Haileybury, one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent boarding and day schools, has launched a space programme – and is aiming to become the first school in Europe to launch a satellite. The space mission, led by pupils at Haileybury, has been set up in an exciting partnership with British multinational aerospace company, BAE Systems. 

The programme’s aim is to launch a mini satellite, known as CubeSat, into space. The pupils have chosen to install an optical camera inside, which will gather essential data from high above Earth on the impacts of global warming, including deforestation and wildfires. The intention is for this information to contribute to the worldwide efforts to protect the planet from climate change. 

Many schools have tried to launch a satellite into orbit since the 1990s, but none have succeeded to date. If Haileybury becomes the first to achieve this, its pupils will be placed at the forefront of space education in Europe. It will also create a model that schools around the world can use to provide similar opportunities for their pupils. 

There are more than 30 Haileybury pupils aged 12 to 18 involved in the project. It is not only enhancing their knowledge and application of subjects such as engineering and physics but more widely in project management. For example, pupils have established a management structure with committees focused on areas like finance, technical support, and communications to help ensure the programme’s success.

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