A seven-year-old from Bolton who won a competition to have his logo design on the first ever rocket launching from the UK was given the opportunity to see a full-size replica of the rocket up close.
The UK Space Agency invited their competition winner, Callum Wilkinson, down to see the 72ft replica rocket on display outside the Science Museum in London.
There, he met UK Space Agency CEO Ian Annett and Squadron Leader Mathew Stannard, Chief Pilot for Virgin Orbit, who will pilot the plane that launches the rocket.
Thousands of people visited the exhibition and saw Callum’s design, as part of the countdown to the first launch by Virgin Orbit from Spaceport Cornwall later this year.
Callum won the UK Space Agency’s Logo Lift Off competition back in April with his design of a satellite orbiting the Earth, with surrounding images themed around the role of space technology in monitoring and tackling climate change.
The Blackrod Primary School pupil said: “I loved getting to explain my logo again, this time to the pilot! It was awesome, epic and a blast!
“I loved watching lots of people see my logo on the rocket and get excited by seeing the rocket.”
Families took part in a range of free space-themed activities and hands-on exhibitions, including a VR -virtual reality -experience.
Callum’s mum, Amanda Wilkinson said: “It was absolutely amazing and they made Callum feel so special.
“He got to go behind the barriers and touch the logo on the rocket and spoke to so many people including the pilot.
“We stepped back and let him take it in and saw this big crowd outside looking at the rocket and pointing to it.
“Callum got a little emotional and was in awe of the whole day.”
The real LauncherOne rocket and its carrier aircraft, an adapted Boeing 747 dubbed “Cosmic Girl”– arrived in the UK, at Spaceport Cornwall, last week.
The mission, Start Me Up, will mark the first orbital launch from the UK.
Squadron Leader Mathew Stannard, Chief Pilot, Virgin Orbit, who will pilot the plane that is set to launch the rocket, said: “I'm really excited to be here.
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“Most people come up to you and ask, ‘Is this something you’re doing in five years' time?’, but no, we’re weeks away from launch now.”
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