In-Orbit

The Westcott Space Cluster is a growing nucleus of space-related companies developing new technologies in rocket propulsion, 5G communications, and in-orbit manufacturing to name a few. The site offers unique testing facilities in a secure and controlled environment where sector experts can help businesses to identify and benefit from the opportunities in these emerging fields.

The Expo, hosted in July this year, was a celebration and showcase of the organisations developing these next-generation technologies and building new opportunities for the UK space industry.

In this first episode, we’ll be sharing the Commercial Space panel – our guests explore the challenges and opportunities within the evolution of a new in-space economy and discuss how we can improve our access to space whilst ensuring our activities bring value back down to Earth.

This episode is introduced by our Chief Operating Officer, Lucy Edge. The panel is hosted by Mike Curtis-Rouse of the Satellite Applications Catapult, and he is joined by Chris Brunskill of D-Orbit, Alberto Garbayo of AVS UK, Matt Escott of Protolaunch, Talini Pinto of SpaceForge, Jeff Fiege of Radian Aerospace, and Armando Rojas of Nanoavionics, who joined the panel remotely.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Westcott Space Cluster: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

The National Space Strategy was published in September 2021, bringing together the UK’s strengths in science and technology, defence, regulation and diplomacy to pursue a bold national vision of growing the UK as a science and technology superpower. The Strategy is a considerable undertaking and driving it forward will require knowledge, insight, and evidence of where new interventions are best targeted.

The National Space Partnership will build a much-needed, unified relationship between Government, industry, and academia, providing co-ordinated strategic insight and advice to the space sector, creating an agile and robust approach to supporting the delivery of the National Space Strategy.

Our host, Sarah Cruddas, talks to Ruth Mallors-Ray of RMR Consultants, Andy Shaw from Assimila Ltd, and Mark Presley from MAP Analytica.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
National Space Partnership: Website, LinkedIn
Assimila Ltd: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
MAP Analytica: Website, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Without space, we would not know nearly as much about our need to act against climate change as we currently do. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increases, there has never been more of a need for this type of information.

This is particularly true for people of Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. Despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, small island nation developing states are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. With around one-third of the population living less than five metres above sea level, rising waters are forcing communities from their ancestral homes, as land and lives are lost to the effects of climate change.

Recognising the need to act, the UK Space Agency funded IPP CommonSensing project has created a tool to support these nations and assist decision-makers in their efforts. Through the CommonSensing platform, map-based evidence can be used to navigate the complex funding landscape, resilience and relocation efforts, disaster risk reduction, and enhanced food security.

Visit the CommonSensing website >>

Our host Sarah Cruddas is joined virtually from Fiji by Leba Gaunavinaka from UNOSAT and Katherine Cooke from The Commonwealth; and from the UK, Richard Oates from Spatial Days and the Satellite Applications Catapult, and Nathan Woodley, also from the Satellite Applications Catapult.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
CommonSensing: Twitter, Website
UNITAR-UNOSAT: UNITAR Twitter, UNOSAT Twitter, LinkedIn, Website
The Commonwealth: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

Spatial Days: LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Access to space in the UK is changing. New technologies emerge every year, creating the opportunity for new types of companies to exploit the power of space.

The next natural step in the UK space industry’s journey, is launch.

Spaceport sites have been planned across the UK, including in Scotland and Cornwall, which could cement the country as Europe's most attractive destination for commercial spaceflight activities. But what will these spaceports look like, how will they operate, and what challenges are we facing?

Our host Sarah Cruddas is joined remotely from the Westcott Space Cluster by Mike Curtis-Rouse from the Satellite Applications Catapult, and Matt Escott from Protolaunch, and from Argentina, Dan Etenberg from LIA Aerospace.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Protolaunch: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
LIA Aerospace: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Developing a strong space community in all regions across the UK is essential to foster new collaborations and bring new innovations to life.

Over the past decade, the UK space sector has grown from a small group of highly successful niche companies, to a far reaching, dynamic and diverse ecosystem made up of entrepreneurs, academia and both large and small commercial organisations.  

New technologies and applications that are resulting from these collaborations are fundamentally changing how society operates while simultaneously raising the profile of the UK Space Sector.

Our host, Sarah Cruddas, is joined remotely from Oxford by Nafeesa Dajda, Head of Regional Growth at the Satellite Applications Catapult, from Cornwall, Gail Eastaugh, Programme Director at AeroSpace Cornwall, and from Scotland, Daniel Smith, Founder & Creative Director of AstroAgency.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
AeroSpace Cornwall: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
AstroAgency: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

We are in an era of unprecedented change within healthcare, driven by increasing need and accelerating technology opportunities.

It is no secret that the NHS is under increasing pressure, but in recent years new solutions have begun to emerge that could help alleviate this stress. The question is: how do we use these new technologies in the best – and fairest - way possible?

Currently, the infrastructure is not in place to enable the same levels of care to be delivered to all, and the pandemic has exposed and amplified the inequalities within our system. These are unfair and avoidable.

Our host Sarah Cruddas is joined by John Vesey from the Satellite Applications Catapult, Lord Victor Adebowale from Visionable, and Pritesh Mistry from the King's Fund.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Visionable: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
The King's Fund: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

We are moving into an era of space infrastructure, where the size of what can be fitted into a rocket is no longer a constraint on what can operate in space.

In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing – or IOSM for short – is a nascent market with huge opportunities, referring to the operations and activities conducted in Low Earth Orbit, though they could happen anywhere in the solar system.

IOSM is more than just servicing and manufacturing. It also covers inspection, repair, assembly, and perhaps even recycling. But these operations have all for the most part already happened in space, to some degree. The assembly of the International Space Station, for example, took 30 space missions to complete, whilst the Hubble telescope has been inspected, repaired, and upgraded throughout its lifespan. 

So, if these activities are nothing new, why is everyone so excited about IOSM?

Our host, Sarah Cruddas, is joined by Mike Curtis-Rouse from the Satellite Applications Catapult, Lorenzo Ferrario from D-Orbit, and Thomas Clayson from Magdrive.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
D-Orbit: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
Magdrive: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

The transition to a sustainable global economy will be the most capital-intensive transition in human history.

Sustainable finance is about aligning the financial system with global sustainability. This focus is becoming increasingly relevant as our economic activities reach beyond the natural and social boundaries of our planet.

A new and resilient financial system is required to underpin this economic transition. Getting financial markets to integrate climate change, environmental, and social sustainability into their decision-making will help institutions appropriately manage risk and reduce losses.

But how can information from space empower this process?

Our host, Sarah Cruddas, is joined by Christophe Christiaen from the Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme, Mariam Crichton from 4EarthIntelligence, and Beth Burks from S&P Global.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
4 Earth Intelligence: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
S&P Global: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Since the birth of space exploration, we have been transfixed with not only the spectacle of space travel, but the opportunities that this new vantage point provides for technological advancement.

Today, by combining the advances in launch capabilities and in-orbit manufacturing, we are now in a position to develop the infrastructure for a space-based solar power system, capable of providing clean energy for planet earth. The idea is an old one – dreamed up by some of the great writers of science fiction – but it’s the recent advances in our capabilities that are helping to make this possible for our future.

With the UK committed to fully decarbonise by 2050, a major consideration is the delivery of energy through clean generation from renewable sources. But the energy we generate must remain affordable, reliable, and secure for our economy to continue to prosper. This is where Space Based Solar Power stands out from the alternatives.

We're joined by Martin Soltau and Ali Stickings from Frazer-Nash Consultancy and David Homfray from the Satellite Applications Catapult.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Frazer-Nash Consultancy: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

It’s estimated the world will need to feed 10 billion people before the end of the century. Yet at the same time, we are faced with a climate crisis that requires the urgent protection of our natural resources. 

To meet these challenges, we need to focus on getting the most out of what we already have. We need more efficient farming methods that are kinder to the environment. We need sustainable, nature focused solutions. We need innovation.

So, how do we even begin? And how can satellites help?

We're joined by Calum Kelly from the Satellite Applications Catapult, Parmjit Chima from Harper Adams University, and Digby Sowerby from Wessex Internet.

Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Harper Adams University: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website
Wessex Internet: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.