- England in Space Festival takes place at National Space Centre Leicester
- Dallas Campbell delivers keynote presentation in planetarium
- Scientists present research on satellite removal and walrus monitoring
- Leicester space expertise covers planetary science and telescope technology
- National Space Centre has welcomed six million visitors since 2001
England in Space Festival has returned to Leicester’s National Space Centre on Sunday 20 September 2026, bringing together leading scientists, engineers and space experts for a packed day of talks, live science, workshops and hands-on experiences. Broadcaster and author Dallas Campbell, familiar toms from The Gadget Show, Bang Goes the Theory, Stargazing Live and The Sky at Night, has delivered the festival’s keynote presentation inside the UK’s largest planetarium. The event has offered opportunities for visitors to speak directly with scientists, engineers and academics about the many different careers, training routes and opportunities available across England space sector.
Throughout the day, visitors have heard from people tackling some of the most fascinating challenges facing science and the space industry, including how “space tow trucks” could help remove dead satellites and keep Earth’s increasingly busy orbital highways safe. Ordinary members of the public have learned how to become “Walrus Detectives”, using satellite imagery to count Arctic walruses and help scientists understand the impact of climate change. Leicester’s own space and planetary science expertise has taken centre stage, with expert talks covering the Solar System’s formation and evolution, what rocks and sediments can reveal about other worlds, UK-built technology helping scientists understand the Northern Lights, Britain’s satellite future, space security and connectivity, the next generation of space telescopes, and new science emerging from the Chicxulub crater.
The National Space Centre’s Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium has hosted a programme of immersive shows throughout the day, with visitors receiving full access to the exhibition galleries and iconic Rocket Tower. Entry to England in Space Festival has been included with a National Space Centre Annual Pass, with visitors purchasing standard admission tickets able to claim an Annual Pass at no additional cost subject to terms and conditions. The Centre opened to the public in June 2001 and has welcomed almost sixm visitors, including more than 1.5m schoolchildren, receiving the national Silver Award from VisitEngland for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2025.
Malika Andress, Head of Marketing at the National Space Centre, shared: “England in Space Festival demonstrates just how exciting, diverse and surprising the space industry has become.” Andress added: “Space is about climate change, communications, engineering, sustainability and understanding our own planet.” Andress confirmed: “For young people especially, we want the day to demonstrate that a career in space is not some distant dream.”
