A 6-year-old from Bolton has won a competition to design a logo that will be displayed on the first rockets launching satellites from the UK later this year.
Callum Wilkinson’s winning design, announced on the International Day of Human Spaceflight includes a satellite orbiting the Earth, with surrounding images themed around the role of space technology in monitoring and tackling climate change.
More than 10,000 primary school children aged between 4 and 11 years old entered the competition, which was run by the UK Space Agency in collaboration with Hopscotch Consulting to help inspire the next generation to consider a career in the space sector. While Callum was the overall winner, there were also 13 regional winners.
The UK’s first small satellite launch is set to take place from Spaceport Cornwall later this year, followed by vertical launches from Scotland at both Space Hub Sutherland in the Highlands and SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
Logo Lift Off winner, Callum, a pupil at Blackrod Primary school, in Bolton, said:
My design shows orbits made of string and has pictures on to show what the satellites are going to be used for.
I went on the internet and learnt loads of things about satellites and climate change and then the idea just burst into my brain, and I planned it out on the computer before making it. I feel very proud of myself and really, really on top of the world!
As well as seeing his design on the rocket, Callum will be invited to visit the first launch from the UK. He will also receive a goody bag, a framed certificate, a picture of his designed artwork as it will appear on the rocket, and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) learning kit.
Logo Lift Off competition judges included TV presenters Maddie Moate, Martin Dougan, Michael Underwood and Greg Foot, as well as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Maya Ghazal. They described Callum’s design as “immensely creative”.
