Six Decades of Space Science

At the start of World Space Week, we’re marking 60 years of space science at the University of Leicester.

Leicester has had a Physics Department since 1924, long before it gained University status. It was in 1957 – appropriately enough, the year that Sputnik 1 was launched – that Leicester University College was granted the charter that transformed it into the University of Leicester. That same year, plans for a new Physics Building were approved.

Three years on, with the appointment of Ken Pounds as Assistant Lecturer in January 1960, the Space Research Group was founded.

Thus began a history of space science at Leicester which has lasted over half a century and can already be seen extending far into future.

2020 marked the 60th anniversary of Space Science at the University of Leicester. Every year since 1967 has seen a Leicester built instrument operating in Space, and the range of space-related activities at the University has grown considerably since 1993.

This film provides in insight into some of Leicester’s achievements over the past 60 years and beyond. This film was produced by External Relations at the University of Leicester. Edited by Hayley Evans.