BCE students skyrocket to success

10/05/2022

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Clairvaux MacKillop College students in the SPASE program.

​Clairvaux MacKillop College students are aiming for the stars as they embark on their journey to space, working with space industry experts to launch a satellite into space. 

The Upper Mt Gravatt Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) school students are among the 50 high school students who were hand selected to take part in the STEM program about Space Exploration (SPASE). 

The students will work with Griffith University, Gilmour Space Technologies, Deloitte and Airbus to design, build, and launch the satellite. 

As part of the program, students will learn how to use Griffith’s 3D printing facility, which will produce parts for the satellite. 

Clairvaux MacKillop College School Principal Christine Clarke said the SPASE program aims to expose students to the space industry and entice them into careers in STEM. 

“I’ve always encouraged students to reach for the stars, but seeing them reach exosphere is a whole other thing,” Principal Clarke said. 

“We are extremely proud of Bill, Charlie, Hamish, Lucas, Clare, Oliver and William who will be working on this exciting and innovative project. Some of our youngest students are from Year 8.  

“To think our students will work on a satellite which will be launched into space is truly amazing.

“I know I will see many of my students who will become space experts, and STEM specialists, because of this project.” 

Clairvaux MacKillop College Year 8 student Oliver said he hopes to work for NASA or Space X one day. 

“I have some ideas on how improve the rocket launch, like using an aerospike engine to save fuel, create more thrust, and improve efficiency,” he said. 

“I also have many ideas on how we could use the CubeSat to measure the sun’s rays and adding a telescope to see other planets and stars with live feed and having it monitor climate and environmental changes.”  

The small cubic satellite design, or CubeSat, will be launched into orbit 400km above Earth’s surface from the Bowen spaceport in Northern Queensland in 2023.  

For more information about Clairvaux MacKillop College and to enrol click here. 

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