Our World From Space phase 2 transforms how communities see space science
- Published: 13 May 2026
More than 12,000 young people, families and community members across the UK have taken part in hands-on space science activities through the latest phase of the Our World From Space programme, a strategic UK-wide STEM engagement programme designed to explore the relevance of space science to everyday life and the long-term sustainability of planet Earth.
Delivered by ASDC in partnership with the UK Space Agency, the programme has focused on engaging audiences traditionally underrepresented in the space sector.
Over five months between October 2025 and February 2026, 15 science and discovery centres across the UK delivered creative activities in schools, community settings and science centres, reaching 12,036 participants and generating 16,364 interaction hours. A central strength of Phase 2 has been increasing access to space science engagement to underserved and underrepresented groups of people. Delivery partners achieved this through intentional efforts to improve access to participation, including removing financial barriers, designing inclusive learning environments and working with care and compassion.
Delivery partners demonstrated how satellites monitor planetary health by exploring topics such as biodiversity loss, forest fires, plastic pollution, crop health, coastal change, and climate change. A key feature of the programme was the global-to-local narrative, which helped participants connect planetary-scale science to their own communities and everyday experiences. The programme also made significant progress in strengthening science capital and career awareness. Participants increasingly recognised the breadth of careers connected to the space sector, including roles in environmental monitoring, data science, engineering, mapping, communications, and research.
“I want to be a scientist when I grow up and discover more about the satellites!” – Participant, West End Schools Trust, Newcastle
Our evaluation of the programme shows a powerful shift in how people see space science and their place within it. By bringing space professionals into these spaces to provide examples of local role models and connecting global challenges like climate change to local issues, we’ve helped young people recognise that space science isn’t distant or abstract, it’s relevant, local and accessible. The reporting data shows a 70% increase in people seeing the connection between space and their daily lives, alongside growing curiosity and a 27% rise in interest in space-related careers.
Cait Campbell, Project Director at ASDC, said:
“Through Our World From Space, the network has reached thousands of individuals across the UK while deepening understanding of how space science connects to everyday life and the sustainable future of our planet. It has been incredibly rewarding to see partners engage diverse audiences through meaningful, hands-on experiences that bring global space science into local contexts. The strength of this programme lies in its partnerships, its commitment to inclusion, and its ability to inspire curiosity and aspiration in communities that are often underrepresented in the space sector.”
This phase builds on the success of the first stage of Our World From Space, which ran from April 2023 to March 2025 and engaged more than 263,000 participants nationwide.
The Our World From Space programme forms part of the UK Space Agency’s wider commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators, while challenging misconceptions about who can pursue a career in space.