Colonel Walter Villadei delivers insightful discussions on space innovation at Space Park Leicester
Students, researchers, and industry professionals were given an exclusive opportunity to engage with a leader in commercial space exploration during an insightful visit from Italian astronaut Colonel Walter Villadei at Space Park Leicester.
Colonel Villadei, renowned for his roles as the Commander of Italy’s first commercial suborbital research flight (Virtute 1) and Pilot for Axiom Mission 3, visited the University of Leicester’s £100 million space hub for a two-day visit on February 10-11 to share his expertise and inspire the next generation of space pioneers.
Professor Richard Ambrosi, Professor of Space Instrumentation and Space Nuclear Power Systems at the University of Leicester and Executive Director of Space Park Leicester was on hand to welcome Colonel Villadei and provide an overview of Space Park Leicester’s contributions to the space sector.
This was followed by a guided tour of the facility, where Colonel Villadei had the opportunity to witness cutting-edge advancements in space technology, including a detailed discussion on the Centre for Deep Space Instrumentation (CDF).
Delighting students
He later engaged with third-year undergraduate students led by Dr Emma Bunce OBE Head of School, Physics and Astronomy; Professor of Planetary Plasma Physics at the University of Leicester, sharing his experiences from spaceflight and inspiring the next generation of space scientists. His insights into mission planning, training, and the challenges of commercial space travel provided a unique perspective for the students.
Dr Francesca Faedi, Academic Liaison for Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “We were thrilled to host Colonel Villadei and gain insights from his extensive experience in space missions, a visit I specifically curated and was committed to making happen.
“His visit reinforced the importance of international collaboration in commercial space exploration, and we look forward to building on this momentum for future partnerships.”
High-level discussions on Spacewear and commercial space collaborations were also a key highlight of the visit with Colonel Villadei attending two sessions, where industry leaders, including representatives from UKSA, explored the future of space technology.
Although not a direct participant in the discussions, his presence added immense value to the dialogue on advancing human spaceflight capabilities.
Colonel Villadei said: “I had the privilege to visit Space Park Leicester, where technology and science merge together clued by passion and professionalism. I’m thankful for the opportunities to discuss future developments in the space economy framework.”
The visit concluded with further collaboration meetings and networking opportunities, allowing Space Park Leicester researchers and partners to explore potential future projects with Colonel Villadei and his team.
The event was further enriched by a keynote presentation titled ‘From Earth to Orbit: Lessons from Virtute 1 and Axiom Mission 3’, where he discussed Italy’s strategic vision for commercial space endeavours and international partnerships in space exploration.
The visit concluded with a business dinner attended by key figures from Space Park Leicester and industry professionals.
Images from Walter’s visit
Main image: Colonel Walter Villadei delivering a public talk at Space Park Leicester