Leicester’s space heritage and the spirit of exploration have been brilliantly captured in the winning design of Space Park Leicester’s inaugural Mission Patch Competition.
Hannah Hilton-Tapp’s creative mission badge, featuring Leicester City FC mascot “Filbert the Fox”, perfectly blends local pride with a passion for space, making it a standout symbol of the city’s rich connection to the cosmos.
The PhD researcher at the University of Leicester specialises in power systems for spacecraft and designed a patch featuring “Filbert the Fox” soaring into space—a playful nod to Leicester’s iconic animal and her personal connection to the city.
Her winning design stood out for its creative fusion of art and science, embodying the spirit of exploration and innovation that Space Park Leicester represents. The winning designs were chosen through public voting on Space Park Leicester’s social media platforms, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
She said: “This competition was a really cool way to bring art and science together, involving people of all ages—from scientists to school kids, professional artists, and space enthusiasts.
“I love how accessible space is becoming, and I’m grateful to be able to direct my research toward something I’m passionate about. Being from Leicester, I knew I had to include a fox in my design—so why not send Filbert the Fox into space? Thank you so much to everyone who voted for my design!”
Runner-up honours were awarded to Pippa Holmes, a Physics with Space Science student at the University of Leicester whose design also impressed the judges and voters alike.
Growing up in the North Yorkshire Dales, Pippa developed an early love for space, influenced by the dark, starry skies of her hometown.
Her patch design reflects some of the most influential missions at Space Park Leicester, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and BepiColombo. Pippa’s design also pays tribute to FRIPON (Fireball Recovery and InterPlanetary Observation Network), represented by shooting stars in the foreground.
She said: “I entered the competition because of my love of art and space, and the chance to combine them was too great to pass up.
“Mission patches have always fascinated me, and if I had pursued a career in art, I would have loved to be part of a team that designs them. The inspiration for my design came from my time spent at Space Park Leicester and the incredible missions and people I’ve learned about.”
The Mission Patch Competition was launched to celebrate the rich legacy of space research and innovation at Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation hub that officially opened in March 2022. The competition aimed to engage the public in a creative challenge, inviting participants to design a mission patch that reflects the work and vision of Space Park Leicester.
Josh Barker, Space Park Leicester Education and Outreach Officer, added: “We were thrilled with the response to our Mission Patch Competition. The designs submitted were not only creative but also deeply reflective of the passion for space that we aim to foster at Space Park Leicester.
“Hannah’s design, with its playful yet meaningful incorporation of Leicester’s heritage, stood out, while Pippa’s design beautifully captured the influence of significant space missions. Both designs will inspire the final patch, which will celebrate Space Park Leicester’s contributions to space exploration.”
The University of Leicester has been a central figure in space innovation for over 60 years, contributing to more than 90 missions. The winning designs from the competition will be used for Space Park Leicester’s official mission patches, which will represent the hub’s commitment to pioneering space research, education, and training.