A Six-Year-Old Designed The Logo To Be Used By UK’s Satellites

In honor of the International Day of Human Spaceflight, which took place on April 12 this week, a six-year-old’s logo design has been handpicked by the UK Space Agency to be displayed on the first rockets launching satellites later this year. 

The UK will become the first nation in Europe to host small satellite launches, with the aim of helping monitor climate change, providing television broadcasting services, enhancing navigation, and improving connectivity.

Callum Wilkinson, whose design features a satellite orbiting the Earth surrounded by themes of space technology and climate change, was deemed the overall winner among more than 10,000 entries from children aged between four and 11 years old.

Certainly impressive—which other six-year-old can say their art will end up on the side of a rocket instead of on their parents’ refrigerator?

“My design shows orbits made of string and has pictures on to show what the satellites are going to be used for,” explained Wilkinson.

“I went on the internet and learned loads of things about satellites and climate change and then the idea just burst into my brain, and I planned it out on the computer before making it,” he added.

To make the occasion all the more special for Wilkinson, he will be invited to visit the site of the first launch, where he will receive a goodie bag with a framed certificate, a picture of his artwork on the rocket, and a children’s learning kit.

Alongside him, 13 other children were crowned regional winners in the contest and will be rewarded with similar goodie bags of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) kits, personalized certificates, and an opportunity for their entire class to host an online talk with the UK Space Agency.

“The Logo Lift Off competition has uncovered fantastic ideas from children like Callum right across the UK, and given them an opportunity to learn how satellite data is helping to tackle global challenges such as climate change,” quipped Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at UK Space Agency.

[via autoevolution and UK Space Agency, images via UK Space Agency]