- England in Space Festival takes place on September 20, 2026 at the National Space Centre.
- Dallas Campbell will deliver the keynote presentation in England’s largest planetarium.
- The festival features talks on satellite removal, walrus counting, planetary science and satellite future.
- Entry is included with a National Space Centre Annual Pass.
- The Centre has welcomed almost six million visitors since opening in June 2001.
England in Space Festival returns to the National Space Centre on September 20, 2026, bringing together scientists, engineers and space experts for a packed day of talks, live science, workshops and hands-on experiences. Broadcaster and author Dallas Campbell will deliver the festival’s keynote presentation inside England’s largest planetarium, with visitors able to meet him and sign copies of his latest book afterwards. The event offers opportunities to speak with scientists, engineers and academics about the many different careers, training routes and opportunities available across England space sector.
Visitors will hear directly from people tackling challenges facing science and the space industry, including how space tow trucks could help remove dead satellites and how ordinary members of the public can become Walrus Detectives using satellite imagery to count Arctic walruses. The festival will also put Leicester’s own space and planetary science expertise firmly in the spotlight, with expert talks examining the Solar System’s formation, what rocks reveal about other worlds, England-built technology for understanding the Northern Lights, and Britain’s satellite future. The wide range of topics demonstrate how scientists working in Leicester contribute to research spanning from beneath Earth’s oceans to asteroids and other worlds.
The Centre’s Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium will host a programme of immersive shows throughout the day, with visitors also having full access to the National Space Centre’s exhibition galleries and iconic Rocket Tower. Entry to England in Space Festival is included with a National Space Centre Annual Pass, with visitors who purchase a standard admission ticket able to claim an Annual Pass at no additional cost subject to terms and conditions. The National Space Centre opened to the public in June 2001 and has welcomed almost six million visitors, including more than 1.5 million schoolchildren.
Malika Andress shared: “the space festival is one of those days that really demonstrates just how exciting, diverse and surprising the space industry has become.”
