21st Century Engineering in Portsmouth

The Portsmouth Grammar School


Two hundred years after the birth of Brunel Portsmouth is still very much at the forefront of modern engineering. The city is a site of world-class engineering projects across such different disciplines as aerospace, naval and civil engineering. The most visible sign of engineering prowess within the city is the elegant 170 metre Spinnaker Tower. Built from concrete, steel and composite materials it is the tallest viewing platform in the UK. You can see nearly 40 kilometres from the top and, if you dare, you can walk across Europe’s largest glass floor – but don’t look down!	The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth. One hundred and seventy metres tall and weighing in at 30,000 tonnes. Heritage Projects (Portsmouth) Ltd
Inmarsat 4 F-2, the world’s most sophisticated commercial communication satellite – made in Portsmouth. © EADS Astrium	Portsmouth is also home to a hi-tech aerospace industry, with EADS Astrium one of the key players. In November 2005 Inmarsat 4, the world’s largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellite was successfully launched from a sea-launch platform on the equator. The satellite itself was built and tested in Portsmouth.

Out of all the different disciplines of engineering, Portsmouth is still best known for its association with shipbuilding. From wooden sailing ships to the first Dreadnought and beyond, Portsmouth has been at the forefront of shipbuilding technology. Today this proud tradition is carried on by the likes of Vosperthornycroft, world leaders in marine technology. The complex bow sections and masts of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 Daring Class destroyers are currently being built in Portsmouth by VT. The innovative trimaran warship RV Triton was also a product of the VT yards. Click on the links below to find out more. These resources are in PDF format.	A bow unit of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 Daring Class destroyer under construction at the VT shipyard in Portsmouth. © VT Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding - Portsmouth has been a centre for shipbuilding for centuries.Today the massive oak masts and canvas sails of ships of the line are gone and in their place are sleek grey warships made with from steel and the latest composite materials. Find out about the latest Type 45 destroyers being built in Portsmouth and build your own steam boat.
Aerospace -There was no aerospace industry in Brunel’s day, but if there had been it’s a certainty he would have been involved at the cutting edge. Find out how Portsmouth is a centre of world-class aerospace engineering and along the way build your own communications satellite!
Civil Engineering -The last ten years has seen the centre and waterfront areas of Portsmouth completely redeveloped in some huge civil engineering projects.Take a look at one of the most prominent and certainly most visible of these projects and build your own clinometer for measuring the heights of buildings – just like a real civil engineer.
Teachers’ Notes - Curriculum links and suggestions about how history, science and D&T teachers can use these resources in their lessons.