✨ Space Innovation Making Waves Beyond Our Sector ✨
It was a privilege to be invited to the Canadian High Commission to celebrate the finalists of the Aqua Lunar Challenge. From a Space Academic Network (SPAN) perspective, it was fantastic to see university teams represented in this competition, highlighting the vital role of academia in advancing space innovation.
I could take the traditional route and simply share the official press release but instead, I want to highlight something different.
The morning after the event, as I commuted to a meeting, I picked up a copy of the Metro newspaper, a habit from my pre-pandemic routine. To my surprise, there it was: a feature on the Aqua Lunar Challenge winner! Not only that, but more space news on page 7! 🚀 Check out the pictures below, you will also see the gorgeous space-themed cocktails we were treated to, it was a lovely touch for a wonderful celebration culminating a year-long engagement of updates through SPAN!
This is exactly what we need to see, space sector breakthroughs making headlines outside our own bubble. The impact of space technology extends far beyond the sector itself, and this challenge is a perfect example: clean water solutions developed for the Moon could have profound implications for water purification on Earth.
🏆 Congratulations to NAICKER SCIENTIFIC, whose SonoChem System was named the winner of the Aqualunar Challenge at a ceremony in Canada House, London. It was inspiring to hear Lolan Naicker speak about his journey, supported by his family, who were there to celebrate with him.
👏 Kudos also to the runners-up:
🔹 FRANK by RedSpace (father-and-sons team)
🔹 AqualunarPure from Queen Mary University of London
Special shout out to all the teams presenting, it was wonderful to see your pitches, and I have a confession to make, some might take away a set list from a gig, I nabbed a copy of the order of pitches to preserve a special moment for us all in our cislunar history.
Funded by the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund and delivered by Challenge Works (Nesta), this £1.2M international prize — run in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency and Impact Canada is a testament to the power of international partnerships in space innovation.
The SonoChem System is a game-changer, using sound waves to purify water by forming millions of tiny bubbles that generate free radicals, breaking down contaminants.
Space technology delivering solutions for the Moon and for Earth, this is why we do what we do. Let’s keep amplifying these stories beyond our sector! 🌍 🚀
