Drones have become an increasingly popular technology in recent years, with applications ranging from aerial photography and videography to search and rescue, agriculture, and even package delivery. Despite their versatility, however, drones remain a somewhat controversial technology, with concerns about privacy, safety, and their impact on the environment.

In this episode, we will be ‘flying high’ into the world of drones, exploring their history, technology, and future possibilities. We will also be discussing some of the key challenges facing the drone industry, the various regulations and policies that govern their use, and new facility that the Catapult has just opened in Buckinghamshire to offer support to UK drone companies.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Liam Braeger from the Satellite Applications Catapult, Dr Anthony Lawrenson from Volant Autonomy, and Liam Flood from Ajuno Solutions.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Ajuno: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website
Volant Autonomy: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode we will be exploring sustainable land use and how we can balance the needs of local communities, businesses, and ecosystems, to ensure that our land is used in a way that benefits everyone.

As our population continues to rise, how do we adopt sustainable land use practices, improve the well-being of local communities, and protect the environment for future generations? The answer lies in technology and collaboration.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Cristian Rossi from the Satellite Applications Catapult, and remotely by Tim Hopkin from the Land App, and by Donna Lyndsay from Ordnance Survey.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Ordnance Survey: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
The Land App: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode we will be discussing sustainable finance, and how – alongside data insights from space – this initiative can be a key tool for promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.

What do we mean when we talk about sustainable finance? Sustainable finance refers to financial activities that take into account environmental, social, and governance factors in investment decision-making - promoting sustainable economic growth while minimising negative impacts on society and the environment. 

Satellite imagery can be a powerful tool for supporting sustainable finance decisions - providing valuable information about the environmental impact of investment activities, help investors identify potential risks and opportunities, and monitor the impact of sustainable finance initiatives over time.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Daniel Dias, Founder of Route2, Christophe Christiaen, Deputy Head of the Spatial Finance Initiative at the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group, and Cristian Rossi, Geospatial Science Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Route2: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website
Oxford Sustainable Finance Group: Twitter, LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, we will be discussing In-Space Manufacturing and talking to some of the companies who are at the forefront of this new space race.

The future of commercial space is dependent on our ability to build and assemble large structures entirely outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. From emission-free solar power stations to spacecraft capable of travelling beyond our solar system, all of this and more will be directly affected by how we manufacture in space.

This journey into a new era of engineering will break the paradigm of existing space design and manufacturing. We will need to develop new ways of building, create new technologies, and reimagine what we are capable of.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by David Pile from Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Portia Bowman from Growbotics Space, and Alex Goodhand from the Satellite Applications Catapult.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Northrop Grumman Space Systems: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Growbotics: LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, we’re celebrating the Catapult’s 10th anniversary, reflecting on a fantastic decade of ground-breaking innovations and achievements.

The Satellite Applications Catapult has made remarkable strides in advancing satellite technology and its applications. Through innovative research and development, the Catapult has made significant contributions to various sectors – energising these markets, empowering the use of new technologies, and enabling businesses to exploit the power of space. 

Over the last 10 years, the Catapult has facilitated enhanced connectivity in remote areas, supported small island nations to build resilience to the devastating impacts of climate change, and started our journey towards establishing a truly renewable energy source from space, and much more besides – all while fostering collaborations between academia, businesses, and government organisations - demonstrating their commitment to pushing the boundaries of satellite technology and leveraging its potential for the betterment of society.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Stuart Martin, CEO, Nafeesa Dajda, Director of National Capabilities, and Joel Freedman, Head of Innovation Services.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this episode, we’re exploring the concept of Digital Twins.

A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a real-world physical counterpart, they use sophisticated data models to accurately simulate changes and problems, using the virtual environment to test and monitor potential scenarios without ever altering the physical counterpart – this enables users to run various simulations and to plan for, or prevent, any issues before they become a problem.

Digital Twins are a powerful decision-making tool, but the system is reliant on data and can only be as good as the data it is provided with. One potential source of information is Earth Observation data collected from space.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Mark Hennen from the Satellite Applications Catapult and Simon Evans from Arup, and remotely by Peter Bauer from ECMRWF.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Arup: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
ECMWF: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In today’s episode, we’re going to be discussing how Artificial Intelligence can be used to enhance Earth Observation.

Most of the images generated by satellites will never be seen by human eyes. There simply aren’t enough humans on Earth—let alone trained experts—to sift through the TBs of imagery generated daily and extract valuable intelligence and insight.

Big data and AI approaches can be used for innovative and cost-effective management and processing of data, learning to recognise patterns and find correlations that humans would otherwise miss. New insights unlocked in this way offer the potential to deliver value to a range of users across markets such as finance, insurance, transport, and agriculture.

Our host Dallas Campbell is joined in the studio by Dr. Freddie Kalaitzis from the University of Oxford, James Parr, Founder of Trillium Technologies, and Maral Bayaraa from the Satellite Applications Catapult.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Trillium Technologies: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
University of Oxford: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Welcome to In-Orbit – the fortnightly podcast exploring how technology from space is empowering a better world.

This podcast is brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult, a UK technology and innovation company driving economic growth through the commercialisation of space, and hosted by writer and broadcaster, Dallas Campbell.

The UK has always played a pivotal role in transforming the space sector, but the opportunity for us to become a global leader is now. As a nation, we need to become the world’s best adopters of new space technologies, harness the strength of our industries, and exploit the benefits of being in orbit.

Across this new series, we’ll be in conversation with the expert minds behind these new innovations, exploring the ways that the UK is translating data from space into real-world impact.

Join us on our journey exploring how the UK is using space to make huge differences to our everyday lives, as well as gaining a better understanding of its role in shaping – and sustaining – our planet for the future.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Amber is expected to be the first of a constellation of satellites to provide Maritime Domain Awareness data to users. Using unique, patented technology, the system will geolocate and demodulate radio frequency data from ships around the world, including listening for the presence or absence of a ships Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Amber forms part of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Demonstration programme, also known as IOD. The In-Orbit Demonstration Programme offers partners a fast-track, low-cost opportunity to test their service or technology on a CubeSat mission (a small satellite ranging from the size of a loaf of bread to the size of microwave) launched into low Earth orbit. IOD helps accelerate to ‘proof of concept’ stage by providing an affordable in-orbit testbed and a range of operational and business support services to exploit the commercial potential of the mission. 

This episode is hosted by the Satellite Applications Catapult's Head of Access to Space, Mike Curtis-Rouse. Mike is joined by Nick Marshall, Project Manager of Amber at the Satellite Applications Catapult, John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies, and Peter Anderson, CCO at AAC Clyde Space.

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

The UK is home to some of the world’s leading space companies and satellite manufacturers, but they have never been able to launch from the UK itself – until now. We are on the cusp of a major milestone as a spacefaring nation.

This mission from Spaceport Cornwall marks the beginning of a new domestic launch market as
the UK completes its end-to-end ecosystem, enabling companies to design, build, launch and operate their spacecraft all from one place.

This historic launch is bringing together a combination of skills, capabilities, infrastructure, and organisations of all sizes from across the UK and beyond to support innovation and ensure that companies operating in space have the skills and the resources they need to make themselves a success.

This episode is hosted by the CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, Stuart Martin. Stuart is joined by Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, Matthew Archer, Commercial Space Director at the UK Space Agency, and Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Virgin Orbit: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Spaceport Cornwall: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
UK Space Agency: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.