Space South Central Students Win Big at the Sir Arthur Clarke Awards
We’re delighted to share that students from the JUPITER programme have won the Student Space Achievement award at the prestigious Sir Arthur Clarke Awards, announced last night at the Reinventing Space Conference hosted by the British Interplanetary Society.
This recognition is a proud milestone for Space South Central and a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry. The JUPITER programme—Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education and Research—is a pioneering initiative developed by the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth, and the University of Southampton. It provides students with immersive, hands-on experience that mirrors the demands of the commercial space sector, preparing them to become the next generation of space professionals.
The winning project, Jovian-O, saw students design, build, integrate and test a suborbital Earth observation payload. Six students then travelled to the Etlaq Spaceport in Duqm, Oman, where they successfully integrated the payload onto a Steller Kinetics rocket—gaining invaluable experience in launch operations and international collaboration.
Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central, praised the students’ achievement:
“This award is a shining example of what happens when we invest in young talent and give them the tools to thrive. JUPITER is not just a training programme, it’s a launchpad for future leaders of the UK space sector. These students are already demonstrating the innovation, resilience, and professionalism our industry needs.”
This win isn’t just a celebration of student excellence; it’s a continuation of a legacy. Space South Central is rooted in a region that has long been a powerhouse for satellite design, build, and manufacture. From the early days of spacecraft engineering to today’s thriving satellite innovation hubs, our universities and industry partners have played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s space capabilities. The JUPITER programme builds on this heritage, giving students the opportunity to contribute to real missions and develop the technical and operational skills that the sector demands. With every payload launched and every milestone achieved, they’re not just learning, they’re reinforcing the region’s reputation as a driving force in space innovation.
To find out more about the JUPITER Programme and the student’s trip to Oman visit our webpage at https://www.spacesouthcentral.com/jupiter
