How can a malleable, plant-based bio-leather grown off-grid in Scotland transform under extreme heat into an RF-transparent, rock-like ceramic shield? What does Draconite mean for the economics of spacecraft re-entry and thermal protection systems? How does self-taught material science disrupt traditional "old space" gatekeeping and university lab paradigms? What are the dual-use applications of biomimetic thermal shields across space re-entry, defence satellite protection, and terrestrial wildfire mitigation?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with the astonishing Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO and founder of Draconite, about her journey from scaling a Caribbean wedding venue to inventing a self-vitrifying, plastic-free thermal protection material and proving it works by pointing a blow torch at her own hand!

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line

Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO & Founder, Draconite

Alisha Fuller-Armah | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Draconite bio-based thermal shield technology
• Self-vitrification and heat-soak insulation vs. traditional ablation
• RF transparency during re-entry communications
• Off-grid, low-cost cellulose fermentation & sovereign manufacturing
• UK Space Agency Accelerator & scaling deep tech
• Defence applications (anti-laser satellite shrouds)
• Overcoming academic gatekeeping through self-taught science
• PFAS-free, traceless, and non-toxic space materials
• Terrestrial wildfire and passive fire protection

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Does the Government's latest space strategy properly connect defence, civil policy and commercial space growth? How will the MOD and DSIT merge procurement approaches? What are the specific outcomes targeted across the four core focus areas: Satcoms, Space Domain Awareness, Launch, and In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing? How do freedom of action and assured access balance sovereign UK capabilities with NATO and ESA alliances? And what major regulatory, insurance, and procurement changes are coming down the line?

Join Jonners and Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy at UKspace, as they debate whether the machinery of Government is fully backing a practical blueprint for picking winners and driving national security and economic growth or delivering just another false dawn.

Contributors:

Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line

Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn 

The Karman Line | Website

Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy UKspace

Stephanie Ayres | LinkedIn 

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

New National Space Strategy overview

MOD and DSIT procurement alignment

Government as an "anchor customer"

Four core capability pillars (Satcoms, SDA, Launch, ISAM)

Sovereign ISR and Space Control

Freedom of action vs. Allied integration (NATO/ESA)

Assured launch (SaxaVord & Spaceport Cornwall)

"Picking winners" and targeted funding awards

Regulatory and insurance sandboxes (City of London)

Enterprise Category Management and cross-departmental governance

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How does Ploughshare turn Ministry of Defence owned R&D into commercial businesses serving wider society? Why has commercialising defence technology historically been "suboptimal," and how is the newly launched Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG) shifting the dial? How can classified innovations be declassified by separating the underlying core technology from its military application? What structural changes are required in UK venture capital to build "bolder, braver" scale-ups capable of navigating defence procurement and space markets?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, CEO of Ploughshare, about how to take brilliant defence innovation out of Government labs and apply it to wider commercial markets like healthcare and telecoms. Plus, navigating the rules, regulations and protection rackets. “No, you can’t go speak to the Minister”.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, CEO, Ploughshare

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton | LinkedIn

Ploughshare | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Commercialising defence R&D & Ploughshare's mission
• The Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG)
• Declassifying top-secret defence tech
• Reverse dual-use
• Cultural shifts in academia and corporate defence primes
• Space and defence tech synergy
• Defence procurement challenges
• The Defence Investment Plan (DIP)
• UK venture capital gaps
• Funding dual-use scale-ups
• Purpose-driven leadership & organisational culture

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How does the Satellite Applications Catapult evaluate and select "high-potential" space ventures? What role does commercial matchmaking, tech validation, and international growth strategy play in scaling startups into global leaders? How can the UK shift from passive R&D grants to an "Olympic-style" industrial policy that goes all-in on world-class space "winners"? What structural changes—such as rapid regulatory approvals, sovereign capital funds, and secure defence gateways—are needed to cut a path through the space growth jungle?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, about the ruthless selection strategies to unleash businesses with the highest potential for growth. And why this process is worth it, even if you pass on The Beatles.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

John Abbott, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult

John Abbott | LinkedIn

Satellite Applications Catapult | LinkedIn

Key topics covered: 

• Satellite Applications
• Catapult operating model & impact
• Evaluating "high-potential" space businesses
• Open Cosmos, Mag Drive, and UK space scale-ups
• The three core Catapult missions: Beyond Earth, Autonomous & Connected Earth, Resilient Earth
• Matchmaking vs. Challenge
• Accelerating Sovereign space capability & international trust
• Industrial Strategy: "Picking winners" vs. broad SME support
• Cross-government alignment, capital growth, and rapid regulation
• The Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell

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What really happened at Spaceport Cornwall after the 2023 Virgin Orbit launch? Why, from an operational and regulatory standpoint, was the failed mission actually a success? How can spaceport infrastructure and segregated airspace be repurposed for high-volume drone testing, hypersonic flight, and returning spaceplanes? What is the true definition of "assured launch," and why is domestic launch capability crucial for national resilience? How is Cornwall evolving beyond its launch heritage into a multi-sector commercial technology ecosystem? 

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk to Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead at Spaceport Cornwall, and discuss the realities of pioneering spaceports, mixed airspace regulation, local economic impact, and subsidising future space access.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Ross Hulbert, Space Engagement Lead, Spaceport Cornwall 

Ross Hulbert | LinkedIn

Spaceport Cornwall | LinkedIn

Key topics covered: 

• Spaceport Cornwall evolution & operations 
• Virgin Orbit launch legacy & technical learnings 
• Mixed airspace & BVLOS drone testing 
• Hypersonic testing & spaceplane recovery 
• Assured vs sovereign launch capability 
• Global launch bottlenecks & reliance on SpaceX 
• Space Clusters & Cornish economic growth 
• Subsidising space access for UK operators 

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What does "dual-use" technology truly mean? What happens when academia, industry, and government join forces at an institution like NESST? What connects the London Olympics and the MoD’s Skynet satellite system? And are policy and legal hurdles holding back the full potential of dual-use tech?

In this episode, Dave Moody - Director of the North-East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) at Northumbria University - joins Alice Bunn and Jonners to explore the critical dual-use elements of space technology. From the First Gulf War to the London Olympics, space has, time and time again, quietly delivered essential capabilities. Is it time we start singing its praises?

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Dave Moody, Director, North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, Northumbria University

Dave Moody | LinkedIn

Northumbria University | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

Dual Use

Military

London Olympics

SkyNet

NESST

Northumbria University

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Does the UK still have its adventure spirit? With other countries getting the jump on UK launch, can the nation take advantage of the pathway forged in Cornwall? What commercial opportunities arise when the government plays a more active role in launch? Should a spaceport just be viewed as a normal piece of infrastructure, and how can it connect to its local setting? How can the space industry take on climate challenges head-on? 

Spaceport builder Melissa Quinn joins Alice and Jonners to talk launch, alignment, and whether the UK can get back into its groove as the rest of the world looks to take off. The powerhouse behind Spaceport Cornwall’s first launch and Spaceport Nova Scotia’s ambitious plans tells her inspiring story about achieving big things. This episode is a must-listen.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Melissa Quinn, Vice President Spaceport Operations, Maritime Launch Services

Melissa Quinn | LinkedIn

Maritime Launch Services | LinkedIn

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How have skill requirements in the UK space sector shifted from foundational engineering to critical system architects and project managers? How does a landscape of over 1,900 specialised companies compare to vertically integrated giants like SpaceX? What impact will the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Space Agency (UKSA) re-merger have on scaling up space businesses? How can the UK leverage international partnerships and domestic "national champions" to accelerate defence and civil space capabilities?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Andrew Stanniland, Managing Director of MDA Space UK, about building talent pipelines that reward new visions and ideas, defence alignment through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), being humble and respectful of international markets and communication skills “on steroids”.  

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line

Andrew Stanniland, Managing Director, MDA Space UK

Andrew Stanniland | LinkedIn

MDA Space UK | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Space sector skills & recruitment strategies
• UK space industry structure & 1,900+ company ecosystem
• Collaborative industry culture
• DSIT & UK Space Agency structural changes
• Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and military space
• National champions and M&A trends
• Regulatory & technology sandboxes
• International space partnerships & pace of execution

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Why is the orbital region between 10 km and 500 km currently empty? How can operating in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) transform Earth observation, direct-to-device mobile connectivity, and telecommunications? How does VLEO solve the LEO problem of satellite collisions and failures creating space debris that lingers for decades? How do you solve the extreme engineering challenges of atmospheric drag, atomic oxygen corrosion, and continuous propulsion? And how is the UK positioning itself as a global gateway for this emerging space domain?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Anatolii Papulov, CEO and Co-founder of New Orbit, about pioneering VLEO satellite platforms, high-speed experimental iteration, and bringing "American velocity with European depth" to the UK space ecosystem.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line

Anatolii Papulov, CEO and Co-founder of New Orbit

Anatolii Papulov | LinkedIn

New Orbit | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)
• Direct-to-device connectivity
• Atomic oxygen corrosion
• Electric propulsion systems
• Self-cleaning orbits & Space sustainability
• Rapid iteration & In-house testing
• Sovereign space manufacturing
• UK space talent & Scale-ups

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How is geopolitics disrupting standard launch operations? Why are nations, including the UK, looking to build localised infrastructure rather than rely on giant space operators like the US? And rather than overriding local communities and sensitive environments, how can the next generation of spaceports prioritise “space for good”?

Why is the space industry a communications basket-case? For a sector so clearly cool and exciting, how is it that the storytelling becomes pigeon-holed for “billionaires or physicists” rather than firing imaginations with concepts like “intergalactic architects”? How can movies like Wall-E and The Martian help shift the dial?

To combat severe workforce shortages, how should primary school educators be inspiring a more diverse, radical group of creative problem solvers? Why do formative educational choices limit rather than expand career paths for young people?

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace 

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Melissa Quinn, Spaceport Builder

Melissa Quinn | LinkedIn

John Hudson, Chief Survival Instructor, UK military

John Hudson | LinkedIn

Caitlin Gould, Founder, TECwomen and TECgirls

Caitlin Gould | LinkedIn

TECwomen CIC | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Sovereign capability
• Geopolitics
• Communication
• Emerging talent
• Psychological resilience
• Environmental compliance
• Local communities

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