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Member News: ABERDEEN SCIENCE CENTRE SUPPORTS ABERDEEN SCIENCE FESTIVAL WITH INSIGHTS INTO SPACE AND ENERGY

September 16, 2025
Member News: ABERDEEN SCIENCE CENTRE SUPPORTS ABERDEEN SCIENCE FESTIVAL WITH INSIGHTS INTO SPACE AND ENERGY

Aberdeen Science Centre and TechFest are uncovering the connection between space exploration and the energy industry as part of this year’s Aberdeen Science Festival.

 

The Space into Energy programme, comprising a tour of local schools, public talks and online presentations, will give young people a glimpse into the inner workings of the energy and space sectors, looking at how the skillsets required for each overlap.

 

From Monday to Friday, September 15-19, Adele Luta, a former Mission Control Centre flight controller and astronaut instructor at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Flight Centre, will visit several schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to give insight into the scientific and engineering challenges associated with human space exploration.

 

Adele, who supported with more than 90 astronaut spacewalks and now works for Oceaneering International as a human exploration systems development manager, will discuss some of the exciting sectors that play a part in space exploration and how discoveries and developments have influenced the energy industry.

 

One of several industry experts taking part in the wider Space into Energy programme, Adele is an aquaunaut, seaplane pilot, and coral restoration volunteer scuba diver, who continues to support exploration efforts in the extreme environments of outer space and under the sea.

 

Alongside the schools engagement, Adele will also deliver a public talk, titled ‘Beyond the Airlock: Engineering Habits in Sea & Space’, at 6.30pm on Friday, September 19, at NESCOL’s Gallowgate campus.

 

Bryan Snelling, chief executive officer at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are over the moon to be supporting the Space into Energy programme in collaboration with TechFest. Adele Luta will deliver an insightful series of talks at local schools that will explore her fascinating career, which has taken her from NASA’s Mission Control to exploring the depths of the sea.”

 

Adele Luta said: “It is such a privilege to take part in the Space into Energy programme. Space exploration can seem like a million miles away from other careers, but what many don’t realise is how much the space and energy industry overlap. I am excited to visit the local schools in the area to deliver my talk and hopefully inspire some of the space explorers of the future.”

 

Dr Martha Gavan, managing director at Techfest, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Aberdeen Science Centre to bring the Space into Energy programme to schools and the wider public as part of the Aberdeen Science Festival. By drawing parallels between the challenges of space exploration and the energy industry here in the North-east, we can spark curiosity and showcase the wide range of exciting career opportunities available.”

 

The Space into Energy programme runs alongside Aberdeen Science Festival, an exciting festival powered by TechFest. Running from September 14-27, the festival provides the opportunity to delve into a diverse and intriguing programme and celebrate the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

 

The festival is sponsored by Equinor and supported by joint principal sponsors bp and Shell UK. To view the full event programme or to book tickets, visit https://techfest.org.uk/festival/aberdeen-science-festival

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