Picking up a free newspaper on her school commute changed the course of Jennifer Barry's life forever. More than 17 years after winning a Metro competition as a 12-year-old, she has become an award-winning space engineer, addressed the United Nations, and is now tackling the cosmic challenge of space debris.
A childhood dream launched by a newspaper
In May 2008, Jennifer, then a Year 7 pupil in west London, spotted a call for ideas in the Metro. The contest, a collaboration with the British National Space Centre, Space Camp Turkey, and private astronaut Richard Garriott, asked youngsters to plan a private space venture. Jennifer's vision involved creating a future home for humanity if Earth became uninhabitable.
Her father initially thought she'd won a book when the email arrived, but the prize was far grander: a week-long trip to Space Camp Turkey. In October 2008, Metro made history as the first newspaper in space when Garriott took a special edition featuring the winning entries, including Jennifer's, to the International Space Station.
Turning inspiration into a stellar career
The camp experience in Izmir nine months later was transformative. "It was fascinating," Jennifer recalls. "We learnt about space missions, tried an astronaut simulator and experienced walking on the moon." The trip, coupled with a VIP day at the National Space Centre, cemented her passion.
She pursued physics and astronomy at Southampton University, graduating with a master's in 2018, and later "fell into engineering." Today, she is a leading advocate for space sustainability – ensuring space remains clean and safe. Working for the UK Space Agency, she represented the UK at the UN's Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and contributed to the European Space Agency's Zero Debris initiative.
Championing the next generation
In December, Jennifer's pioneering work was recognised when she was named the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Young Woman Engineer of the Year. "I want to use this opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices, challenge stereotypes, and show that engineering is for everyone," she stated.
Having completed over 500 hours of STEM outreach, she stresses the importance of competitions like Metro's. "Particularly for young girls and people underrepresented in engineering, it gives them the chance to imagine what someone like them could do."
Jennifer has now begun a new role as a Senior Systems Engineer at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), where she will help design, test, and build a new satellite targeting a 2028 launch. Reflecting on her journey, Metro's Editor Deborah Arthurs said: "We pride ourselves on inspiring future generations, so it's fantastic to see a childhood competition evolve into a career shaping the future of space."
