Hot on the heels of Artemis II’s return to earth, St Mary Magdalen’s primary school pupils from Seaham, County Durham, have sent messages into space using new laser communications technology developed in the North East, as part of Durham University’s Light Years programme.

The demonstration was part of SPARC Summit Late, a one-night public event at Ushaw Historic House bringing together scientists, artists and the public to explore the future of space.

The event forms part of Durham University’s Light Years programme, which sits within Into the Light County Durham – a place-based cultural partnership bringing together culture, communities, education and industry, to unlock opportunity and drive regeneration through creativity.

It shows how personalised, written messages or drawings can be turned into data and transmitted using an innovative laser system called free space optics - designed for future space communication, and being pioneered by organisations like Durham University’s Space Research Centre, nicknamed SPARC.

Messages created by pupils and members of the public are digitised and transmitted towards specific points in space, from near-Earth targets such as the Moon to deeper space locations including Mars and beyond our solar system.

The event also featured an installation of messages to the wider universe, gathered from residents from across the region, featuring personal reflections and questions about life beyond Earth. Durham light artist Mick Stevenson, famous for his works at Lumiere, contributed to the event.

This is space technology you don’t just hear about, you take part in. By inviting people to write a message and see it transmitted into space, we’re opening up access to ideas and technologies that can often feel distant or abstract.

Light Years is about connecting people to the future of space in ways that are creative, tangible and rooted in place. It shows how a region like County Durham can play a role not just in developing new technologies, but in shaping how people understand and engage with them.

The recent publicity around the Artemis II space mission has only fuelled interest in the world beyond our planet, and it’s exciting that our region is at the heart of this conversation. The technology is innovative, yet accessible, and we hope the event will inspire the astrophysists, researchers, engineers and astrological leaders of the future.

Through SPARC, Durham University is at the forefront of world-leading space research, attracting some of the brightest minds to the region to help advance critical technologies, protect the orbital environment and ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The latest demonstration draws on advances in laser-based communication which is increasingly being explored as a way to transfer data between Earth and space more efficiently than traditional radio systems.

Professor James Osborn, Founder of SPARC, Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Durham SPARC, said: “Laser communication allows us to send information in a much more targeted and efficient way. Instead of broadcasting signals widely, we can direct data to very specific points in space with far greater precision.

“This is the kind of technology that will underpin future satellite systems, deep space missions and robotic exploration. What’s powerful about this demonstration is that it makes that process visible. Showing how something written here on Earth can be converted into data and transmitted beyond it.

“It’s also a reminder that this kind of innovation isn’t happening somewhere else - it’s being developed and tested right here in the North East of England.”

Into the Light is now in its third year, and the success of projects like Light Years highlight the importance of art and science within underserved communities.

Julia Handelman-Smith, director at Into the Light said: “It was fantastic to see so many artists, creatives, researchers and partners, coming together at the SPARC Summit to share their inspiring work and ideas. The talent on show, and enthusiasm from everyone there, highlighted what Into the Light is all about: creating opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, and see what’s possible when creativity brings different worlds together.

“Light Years is a wonderful example of how this approach can open up new opportunities, build confidence and show how a place like County Durham can be at the forefront of both cultural and technological innovation.”

It’s exciting to think something I wrote could be sent into space. It makes space feel closer to me. And makes me think what I would want to say and who might be listening up there.