The story of Philae: engaging the public throughout 2014 with the Rosetta cometary mission and the Philae lander at the UK site of the Philae obelisk.
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Physical Sciences
Abstract
The overriding aim of this proposal is to raise awareness of the European Space Agency Rosetta comet chaser and the UK's key role in the mission.
By selecting a location that has:
a) a very large visitor base and an even larger parent membership
b) visitors not primarily expecting to encounter space science (as compared e.g. with a visit to a science centre)
c) offers a unconventional link between a space mission and the local attraction
d) an inviting outdoor position to engage younger family members
We aim to reach a high proportion of the 230,000 people expected to visit the National Trust Kingston Lacy House and Gardens in 2014.
The breakdown of the visitors (data from 2012 is given in the attachment) supports the belief that science is not a prime reason for visiting Kingston Lacy. Therefore this proposal offers a unique opportunity to expand the audience for space science and exploration and the British participation in a ground-breaking space mission.
By selecting a location that has:
a) a very large visitor base and an even larger parent membership
b) visitors not primarily expecting to encounter space science (as compared e.g. with a visit to a science centre)
c) offers a unconventional link between a space mission and the local attraction
d) an inviting outdoor position to engage younger family members
We aim to reach a high proportion of the 230,000 people expected to visit the National Trust Kingston Lacy House and Gardens in 2014.
The breakdown of the visitors (data from 2012 is given in the attachment) supports the belief that science is not a prime reason for visiting Kingston Lacy. Therefore this proposal offers a unique opportunity to expand the audience for space science and exploration and the British participation in a ground-breaking space mission.
Planned Impact
This proposal has a key objective of reaching a large number of the general public. Not only does the location attract approaching a quarter of a million visitors annually, the National Trust has recently achieved a membership figure of 4 million.
Local media will be informed. The National Trust will advertise the Rosetta activity at Kingston Lacy by highlighting it on the Kingston Lacy home site section of the National Trust web site. It will thus be available as widely as possible to their membership, visitors and others. A direct emailing to NT members in the Dorset region has been suggested as a possibility by the regional NT Press Officer.
It is planned that the proposed network of Rosetta scientists, engineers and science communicators will be made aware of this exhibit and it will be advertised in any online events diary, targeting both scientists and general public. It is hoped that both STFC and the UK Space Agency will include a link to the Rosetta Kingston Lacy display.
All appropriate Open University information outlets will be made aware of the project and will disseminate information to their student body, staff and alumni.
Local media will be informed. The National Trust will advertise the Rosetta activity at Kingston Lacy by highlighting it on the Kingston Lacy home site section of the National Trust web site. It will thus be available as widely as possible to their membership, visitors and others. A direct emailing to NT members in the Dorset region has been suggested as a possibility by the regional NT Press Officer.
It is planned that the proposed network of Rosetta scientists, engineers and science communicators will be made aware of this exhibit and it will be advertised in any online events diary, targeting both scientists and general public. It is hoped that both STFC and the UK Space Agency will include a link to the Rosetta Kingston Lacy display.
All appropriate Open University information outlets will be made aware of the project and will disseminate information to their student body, staff and alumni.
Organisations
Publications
| Description | Conducted outreach and engagement activities regarding our involvement with the Rosetta space mission. |
| Exploitation Route | The mission continues, and so we will carry on with our activities as and where possible. The mission has now finished. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Other |
| Description | Various outreach activities and associated press coverage. There is currently a public display at Kingston Lacy. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |