To infinity and beyond: From Putney to the outer reaches of space
Jo Sharrock, head of Putney High School, discusses the importance of studying emerging technologies, the opportunities and threats posed by explorations of space, and how her school is preparing students to become key players in these fields.
In scenes worthy of the finest science fiction, this autumn, the team at SpaceX successfully launched and returned to Earth their reusable megarocket, ‘Starship’. This incredible feat of engineering paves the way for a new era of space exploration and a galaxy of possibilities which just might, in the words of Buzz Lightyear, take us “to infinity and beyond”.
As a long-time fan of Star Trek, Star Wars and all things intergalactic, I have always been fascinated by what lies beyond our planet. Of course, our wonderful home on Earth still has regions to be explored and we have so much to learn not only of its mysteries, but how best to protect and preserve its fragile atmosphere and dwindling resources. But space – ‘the final frontier’ - there lies a whole new adventure!
Photo by Pixabay
The successful launch of Starship will have involved not only billions of dollars, but teams of astrophysicists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators at the very top of their fields. Among them, certainly fewer women than we would like, but rest assured that at Putney High School, there are many young women with stratospheric ambitions preparing to join their ranks.
Celia in Year 12, currently studying for the GDST Space Tech Diploma and holder of a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, attended our most recent PIE+ (Putney Ideas Exchange) lecture: ‘An Audience with’ journalist Tim Marshall, author of The Future of Geography: How the Competition in Space Will Change Our World. “It made me look at the code we are working on as a part of the Space Technology Diploma in a whole new light,” explained Celia. “I now understand more about the applicability of many subjects to space exploration and travel.”
Photo by SpaceX
From the launch of satellites to the military and intelligence uses of Earth’s orbit and beyond, the stakes could not be higher for us Earthlings. International protocols such as The Artemis Accords (2020) seek to govern space and its resources, but we need to think light years ahead and for that, we will rely on the bright young minds in our classrooms, whether they are studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects), machine learning in computer science, design thinking in the Innovation Hub, or quantum computing to planning rocket launches as part of our Space Tech Diploma. And let’s not forget those destined for fields such as communications, law, psychology, economics and ethics; they will be key to ensuring thoughtful, collaborative and effective decision-making.
There is good cause to be optimistic. Our ability to explore and harness the possibilities of space has already brought huge advantages to us and our green planet. Take weather forecasting, disaster modelling and communication to name a few. Satellites in geostationary orbit are vital for weather and planetary observation and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and communication satellites have for many years brought much-needed connectivity to humankind in some of the most isolated regions of the globe.
Photo by Pixabay
Putney head student Nia reminded me that her Geography Futures class had been using geospatial data from satellites such as the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) to examine climate change and the weather patterns that give rise to major weather events such as Hurricane Milton. These technologies give insight into nature at its most powerful, but there is plenty to learn, as shown by the recent floods that devastated the outskirts of Valencia.
For young scientists and geographers alike, opportunities to study and use these emerging technologies are crucial for building the skills of a generation of future problem-solvers. So too the promotion of compassion, empathy and inclusivity, values we foster at school, so that these advances and explorations benefit of all humanity.
Fortunately, our students are hungry to learn, and their horizons stretch well beyond Earth’s orbit. Whilst I myself have ruled out space travel until it better resembles a trip on the Starship Enterprise, I have no doubt that our intrepid students will soon be going where no human has gone before. Quite literally blazing a trail for humanity, our planet and whatever lies beyond.