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Ann McKechin MP has praised ambitious local plans to launch Scotland's first satellite and the Maryhill company’s commitment to outreach work to enthuse and support budding space engineers in local schools.  Ann McKechin MP has given her full backing to the hopes, hard work and ambitious plans of a small satellite technology company which is based in her Glasgow constituency, following her recent visit to survey the work of the Maryhill-based Clyde Space Limited. Clyde Space Limited has set in motion a plan to build and launch Scotland's first satellite over the next 2 years. The business is a designer, builder and supplier of small spacecraft and satellite systems which they design and produce themselves, here in Glasgow. Ann said: "I'm extremely proud of the cutting-edge work Clyde Space is progressing here in Glasgow North. Clyde Space currently directly employs 22 people and will be taking on 2 more members of staff to help grow this ambitious project. There has never been a more important time to support and boost science and technology jobs, and I have been really impressed by the ambitious plans of the scientists and engineers based in my constituency.”
Speaking after the meeting with Ann to discuss the plans, Clyde Space Managing Director, Craig Clark said: "Our plan to design, build and launch Scotland’s first satellite has significant outreach ambitions. Too many of our young people chose not to follow careers in science and technology subjects either through poor advice or ignorance of the industries.
"What most people don’t realise is that advances in science and technology are the most important factors in the advancement of our quality of life. By further advancing in these areas we can make more and faster progress in combating all sorts of problems such as poverty, hunger and climate change. However, without young people taking an interest in science and technology from a young age we will struggle to move forward at the pace we need to.
“Space offers an excellent vehicle to capture the imagination of young people from primary right through to secondary education.
“Clyde Space will build and launch Scotland’s first satellite in the next 2 years and our outreach programme will be linked into the school curriculum from P1 through to S6.”
There will be a dedicated, interactive website with fun and facts about the mission, including what a satellite is made from and what the mission payload is. Users will also be able to schedule science data collection and then analyse the data themselves via the website. The Maryhill satellite company has also been working very closely with the University of Strathclyde on this project. “We are very excited about the project and we have already had significant enthusiasm and support from key groups such as the Institute of Physics and SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies).”, said Craig Clark, MD.
"I can not understate the significance of the work we are doing here to advance the capability of small spacecraft, and the fact that this is happening in Glasgow.
"Having a local space industry is very important for our community. If you consider the importance that the USA puts on its space programme to inspire the people of America; there is certainly a ‘can do’ attitude in the USA and I believe that this is largely attributable to a high degree of self belief provided by their endeavours in space. If Clyde Space can lead the world in our area of spacecraft engineering from Glasgow, we hope that it may help inspire others to go on to achieve great things internationally in their areas of business.”
Commenting on the significance of the work she has seen at Clyde Space, Ann said: "Maryhill-based Clyde Space is a ‘can-do’ beacon of hope and template for new technology jobs we need in our communities and our country"
"I'm particularly delighted that this local business is committed to a wonderful P1 to S6 school outreach programme which will bring science classes in Glasgow so close to the hands-on, pioneering work of the space industry.
"Glasgow has a proud industry launching the world's finest ships on the River Clyde. Now Glasgow has the opportunity to build a proud future of precision engineering satellites and spacecraft with Clyde Space.
"We can and will make space technology a proud new Scottish industry for young people to look forward to here in Glasgow. It is vitally important that our communities grab the science jobs of the future with both hands."
Craig Clark added: "It was a pleasure for me to welcome Ann McKechin to Clyde Space facilities here on the West of Scotland Science Park in Maryhill, Glasgow.
"Ann does an excellent job of representing our constituency here in North Glasgow, and it is reassuring to see our local MP taking an interest in work and plans that we have to grow Scotland’s participation in the international space industry from right here in Glasgow." Further information on the work of Clyde Space is available on the company website |
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