High level praise for undergraduate paper on space debris research
MEng student Chantal Edwardes has been praised for delivering an academic paper at the International Astronautical Congress in Naples. It was based on her third year individual project examining ways of removing small space debris down to around a centimetre in diameter.
Around a hundred delegates from leading international companies and organisations and government agencies were in the audience; many gave positive feedback. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin was also at the conference.
"This was the first time I have presented an academic paper," says Chantal. "I was nervous because it was such a distinguished audience but everything went well and I really enjoyed it." Leading expert on space debris research Darren McKnight said he was impressed by her presentation.
Chantal's supervisor, Dr Hugh Lewis comments; "Chantal showed great enthusiasm for her project throughout the year and this was reflected in an assured presentation at the conference in front of a very knowledgeable audience. To receive such positive feedback from some of the leading international experts on space debris is testament to the quality of her work and her commitment to it. It was great to see one of our undergraduates making such a positive contribution."
Chantal, who is now in her third year, has ambitions to join the Royal Navy as a test engineer.