THIS week’s United Nations World Space Week aimed to promote the importance of space technology and STEM to the Northern Ireland economy.
Taking place from October 4-10, Space Week is the largest worldwide celebration of space and present to help launch the event in the Ulster Museum was guest of honour, Colonel Greg H Johnson, a former NASA astronaut, who piloted STS-134, the final f light of the space shuttle Endeavour.
Speaking at the reception, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry, highlighted the importance of space technology to the economy. He said: “We currently have some 8,000 people employed in this sector in Northern Ireland and companies here are at the forefront of this new technology. There is much more potential and lots of applications still to discover, and we need to create a wider understanding of the business opportunities which can emanate from the emerging space sector. It is vital that if we are to exploit these opportunities to their full potential, we have a pipeline of suitably skilled workers to make them a reality.”
He continued: “Space Week is an ideal opportunity for us to reach out to young people to show what is open to them and that careers in this exciting industry are a real possibility in Northern Ireland, if you have the right skills and knowledge to prepare you for it.”
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Ireland Space Office, director Robert Hill said: “With the global space industry set to be worth around £400bn by 2030, our young scientists and engineers of the future can help Northern Ireland and the UK capture a slice of the market. Having such a prestigious visitor with us in the province for the launch of UN World Space Week will help raise awareness there are real opportunities and benefits for young people to engage with STEM subjects and engage with the space sector.”