space:uk - Summer 2011, Issue 32

This issue of Space:UK, published by the UK Space Agency, focuses on the new Hubble space telescope, big plans for small satellites and the development of the UK spaceplane.

The issue includes news stories about current events, research and developments as well as conference news. There are also special articles:

• Bigger on the inside: As the UK's first CubeSat mission starts to take shape, Richard Hollingham discovers just how much science you can fit into a very small satellite.

• The UK in space: The UK is involved in missions to monitor our changing planet and investigate the solar system and Universe beyond. The European Space Agency works to maximise the practical benefits of space and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

• The ultimate in cool science: MIRI, the mid-infrared instrument that will fly onboard the James Webb Space Telescope to search for planets and observe the formation of new stars, is no ordinary camera.

• Skylon: the best of British: The British Skylon spaceplane, currently under development, is a vision of the future.

• Education and careers: Experts answer questions about space - whether there is likely to be life on Gliese 581 d and what the health effects there are to living in zero gravity. There is also an update on teaching resources available in the National STEM Centre's ESERO collection in the eLibrary and a review of the 2011 UK Space Conference a free day of continuing professional development for teachers.

• I work in space: Rosemary Willatt, a PhD student at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling describes what her job entails, the mission she is currently working on, what she enkoys about her job and what advice she would give to someone considering a career in space.

• Space pioneers - Ariel 1: a profile of the world's first international satellite, launched in 1962.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7jr