Space man takes lessons into a new orbit at Menston (From Ilkley Gazette)

Space man takes lessons into a new orbit at Menston

9:33am Thursday 4th June 2009

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A former director of the Kennedy Space Centre came to Bradford to inspire young people about science.

Louisiana-born Jay Honeycutt, 72, was at the Wow Hub in Thornton Road to talk to children and businesses about how they can contribute to developing scientific experiments that they would like to see happen on the moon.

A space executive with more than 40 years of experience, Mr Honeycutt now works for US-based Odyssey Moon Limited, a private company that runs commercial lunar missions to support science, exploration and commerce.

The firm’s latest plan is to send 50kg of experiments to the moon as a private venture.

The space veteran is charged with gaining the support of businesses and asking young people to come up with their ideas for scientific experiments on the moon.

Originators of successful ideas will receive key data from their experiment for analysis.

Mr Honeycutt has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and, after two years as Kennedy Space Centre director, he spent seven years as president of Lockheed Martin Space Operations, another US firm which provides support for NASA missions.

His presentation yesterday, entitled Space Odyssey, was one in a series of events being organised by the Bradford College Innovation Centre and Bradford’s Space Connections to improve and increase the number of learners participating, achieving and progressing in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths.

Hashim Hashim, head of innovation at the Wow Academy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jay to the Wow Hub. He is a strong supporter of the work that we do in relation to education, space, science and technology.

“Jay is on a tour to talk people who have built relationships with him and his company. This is an exciting STEM-related venture and we are happy helping him engage and stimulate the minds of young people.”

Earlier in the day he presented certificates to 60 primary school children who have won a three-day residential trip to Space Camp at Haworth Youth Hostel at the end of the month.

Years 5 and 6 pupils were tasked with making PowerPoint present-ations on how space exploration can help save the planet or improve life on earth.

At Space Camp they will make and launch rockets, and will learn about gravity, the solar system, walking in space walking and the night sky. The competition was organised by the International Space School Educational Trust in partnership with Space Connections and supported by the Yorkshire Forward Regional Development Agency.

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