How a Childhood Visit Ignited a Lifelong Passion for Space
- 21st Aug 2025
- Author: Elliott Langley - Marketing Administrator
One of the joys of working at the National Space Centre is hearing people’s memories of visiting as a child. Those conversations where staff share their stories, and how it brought them to find a career here – perhaps whilst brewing a coffee or over a lunch break – make for some of the best moments of the working day.
So when I caught wind that a member of our Public Programmes team, Vedansh, had been on a journey from visiting as a child, to completing the National Space Academy Space Engineering course, and eventually working here part-time, I knew I had to take some time to chat to him about his experience.
Our paths hadn’t previously crossed due to working patterns, but Vedansh and I managed to arrange to have a chat during one of his final shifts before beginning his new role. It was a deeply insightful and inspiring conversation about following your passions, taking chances and beginning new chapters in life.
Thanks for joining me Vedansh. I understand that you first visited the National Space Centre as a teenager. What can you remember about your visit?
Well I actually came here several times, once as a teen, and even earlier when I was a young kid. The thing remember most clearly is sitting in the Planetarium and watching one of the shows. I was just completely blown away by it. I can’t remember which show it was, but I remember the feeling of being wowed by seeing all these amazing space images brought to life.
And were you already quite into space when you were a child?
Absolutely! I think most kids gravitate to one of four things: cars, dinosaurs, sports, or space. For me, it was space. I was completely obsessed with it.
When did you know it was a career that you might be interested in?
When you get to Year 9 or 10 at school, people start pushing you to choose a direction for your GCSEs and college courses. Around then, I realised Physics was something I truly loved. It was challenging and fascinating, and it tied in perfectly with my passion for space.
By Year 10, I was staying up until three in the morning reading A-Level physics textbooks, learning about things like antiparticles, the Standard Model, and cosmology. I read books like Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene, and A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. I think that last one should be essential reading for everyone.
Right: private photo from Vedansh
I have to admit, I only managed the first couple of chapters…
You need to give it another go! Anyway, I was captivated by the big mysteries: dark matter, dark energy, massive questions about what’s really out there. I would spend my free time trying to come up with my own ideas about them. That was when I started to find myself. I knew then that Space was my passion. Eventually, I discovered the Space Engineering course at Loughborough College, which is partnered with the National Space Academy, and it felt like a dream come true. I knew I had to do it.
And how did the course connect you to the National Space Centre?
I developed a great relationship with my teachers, Sophie Allan and Anu Ojha, both of whom worked at the National Space Centre. Sometimes we had lessons here, and sometimes they taught us at the College. Their passion and energy were inspiring, and they genuinely cared about their students.
I feel lucky to have had that support. Not everyone gets that. It pushed me towards completing my Bachelor’s degree in Physics at Durham University, and now I’m completing my Master’s in Theoretical Physics at University of Nottingham. The National Space Centre was instrumental in that journey – this place is what helped me find my path. If I was a rocket, then this building was my launch pad! So when the chance came to work here, I jumped at it. It was an opportunity to give something back, and maybe inspire people to follow the same path that I did.
So what have you been doing at the National Space Centre?
I started here as a Space Communications Presenter in January, but my role has since changed to Public Programme Presenter. I deliver programmes and activities that help people learn about Space and Physics, with the aim of inspiring them to go away thinking about these subjects in new ways.
One of my favourite things is running our Tabletop Activities, where we set up fun, science-based interactions in the galleries. For example, we recently explored the Fermi Paradox using tubs of rice to show how difficult it is to find extraterrestrial life. These sessions are conversational, so we can really connect with visitors, find out what they know about space, and share what excites them.
For me, the best thing for me is when you see a child’s eyes light up in that “aha!” moment, when something just clicks for them. Maybe you’ve even inspired them to follow a path into space science, you never know. That’s what this job is all about: inspiring people through space, helping them feel connected to the universe, and delivering those moments of awe.
And I understand that your time here is coming to an end very soon. What’s next for you?
That’s right, I have my last shift this week. I’m about to start work at BAE Systems in the Air sector as an Aerospace Engineer. In the future, I’d like to pivot fully back into space engineering… maybe working with Airbus or on a Mars mission. Who knows, I could be part of the team that gets humans to Mars!
Sounds amazing. So what have you learned from working at the National Space Centre?
That it’s possible to pursue your passion, enjoy your work, and make a living from it. The National Space Centre is the best job I’ve ever had; it’s inspiring, genuinely makes a difference, but it’s also such a pleasant place to work. I’ve always felt respected here, part of the team.
There’s a Japanese concept called ikigai: the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you’re good at. For me, inspiring people through space feels like my ikigai, and working here enabled me to do that.
What careers advice would you give to someone who wants to work in the space sector, or to anyone who is looking to start a career in general?
Never let anyone rush you. It’s okay not to know what you want to do right away. Take time to get to know yourself, because the more you understand yourself, the more the world opens up. Don’t just chase a career; chase who you are.
What does Space for Everyone mean to you?
It’s not just about space literally being for everyone – it’s about opportunity and inspiration. Space is a reminder that we’re part of something bigger, and that spark of wonder is essential. This building represents inspiration to me.
Final thoughts?
When I was younger, I had low self-esteem and thought I had to achieve something extraordinary. Over time, I’ve realised that greatness isn’t about how many people remember you, it’s about the impact you have on those around you. I believe a big part of that is to pick a career where you can have that impact. And so that’s what I’m focusing on now.
There’s an 80-year-old Harvard study that found the thing people valued most at the end of their lives wasn’t money or career success… it was relationships. For me, greatness is not about what you gain in this life, but what you leave in the hearts of others during it.
Thank you very much to Vedansh for taking the time to talk to me about his journey, we wish him the very best with his new career.
Our Public Programmes team can be found in our galleries, and they love to talk about all things space, so keep a look out for their distinctive blue polo shirts.
For more information about our Space Engineering course, please visit this page.
