Groundbreaking space suit on show at networking event

Visitors to an out of this world free networking event at Space Park Leicester tomorrow will come face-to-face with the globe’s first ever interactive space suit.

The University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park will host Cosmic Coffee tomorrow afternoon to give businesses the chance to connect with ambitious individuals and organisations from across the UK space sector.

When attendees arrive, they will also see the world’s first interactive space suit worn by Colonel Walter Villadei on the groundbreaking Axiom 3 mission to the International Space Station. The space suit was created by Spacewear, which has a base at Space Park Leicester, and it will only be on show in the venue’s atrium until Tuesday, July 8.

Dr Francesca Faedi, of Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester School of Business, said: “We hope seeing Spacewear’s interactive space suit will open the eyes of people attending Cosmic Coffee to the groundbreaking technology which is being developed by businesses based at Space Park Leicester.

“Cosmic Coffee will enable satellite startups, deep tech developers, researchers, engineers, investors and students to meet with collaborators, innovators and other investors, learn about funding opportunities and connect with the Space Park Leicester community.

“It’s a fantastic chance for like-minded professionals to explore potential collaborations and discover the latest innovations in space technology.”

Organised in collaboration with the Midlands Space Cluster, the event will also give attendees the chance to hear from entrepreneurs and the ESA Business Incubation Centre UK (ESA BIC UK) which drives growth in the UK’s space-based businesses. The event will take place from 2pm to 3pm on Thursday, June 5, and refreshments will be available.

To mark World Environment Day (June 5), visitors can also play a hands-on role in caring for the environment of Leicester’s Space City by taking part in a litter pick, which will start before Cosmic Coffee outside Space Park Leicester at 12.30pm. To secure a free place at Cosmic Coffee, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1365479218099

Discover more about Space Park Leicester’s cutting-edge partnerships, pioneering missions, resident community, state-of-the-art facilities, specialist training programmes and innovation ecosystem at www.space-park.co.uk. Explore how your organisation can collaborate with us here. To learn more about the University of Leicester, visit le.ac.uk.

Main image: Dr Francesca Faedi with the interactive space suit worn by Colonel Walter Villadei on the groundbreaking Axiom 3 mission to the International Space Station. Credit: Space Park Leicester