A SOUTHAMPTON student has won £2,000 for her innovative ideas on how satellites can improve life on Earth.

Eleanor Stanton, 22, from the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton was named runner-up in UK Space Agency's SatelLife Competition.  

Eleanor’s idea aims to change how the public monitor where their energy is coming from, learn more about nuclear energy and encourage conservation.

As well as winning the cash prize, Eleanor will also receive advice on how to develop her idea.

The competition awards young people a share of £50,000 for the best ideas on how to use collected data from space to benefit daily life.

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Eleanor said: "Receiving this news was incredibly exciting. My idea was inspired by the current energy and climate crises, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to develop it further and hopefully make a real difference.

"I'd love to work with energy companies to bring this app to life and help develop an eco-friendly solution to our energy needs, and the opportunity to work alongside the space sector to achieve this is an absolute dream."

This year will see the first satellite launch take place from a UK spaceport, with Virgin Orbit’s horizontal launch system set to lift off from Spaceport Cornwall.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “The countdown is on for Britain to become the first nation in Europe to offer small satellite launch, building on our world-leading satellite manufacturing industry.”

“Seeing satellites launch from the UK for the first time will be a huge moment and one that I hope will inspire people to think about the opportunities in our growing space sector.”

Satellites support the economy and everyday life.

The judging panel was made up of experts including industry representatives and UK Space Agency, Satellite Applications Catapult and European Space Agency. 

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