British Association of Remote Sensing Companies

The Scottish Space Symposium will explore the benefits that Space technology can provide to businesses across all sectors, as well as uncovering future partnerships and opportunities.

Innovative new uses will undoubtedly continue to be developed. This Symposium brings together industry, research groups and other stakeholders to promote the benefit of Space-enabled services, identifying potential end user requirements and explore opportunities for joint working between and among providers and users.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear first hand about the Technology Strategy Board-funded Satellite Applications Catapult Centre, a technology and innovation focused initiative designed to reduce cost barriers and help UK businesses new products and services delivered by satellites.

Confirmed speakers include senior figures from:

European Space Agency
UK Space Agency
Technology Strategy Board
UK based Space Primes Contractors
Potential end users from the transport and energy sectors

Information provided from Space will be a significant growth area over the next decade and beyond, not only for companies developing platforms and systems to deliver it, but for companies able the use the data to develop new products and services.

The global Space market is worth over $250 Billion per annum, with the UK industry growing around 10% annually – driven by commercial and consumer services. Satellite data is increasingly being used in a range of industries including transport, financial services, agriculture and broadcasting.

The Scottish Space Symposium is organised by University of Strathclyde, Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory – with the support of Scottish Enterprise.

To find out more and to register click on the link: Bringing Space Down to Earth

The International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) warmly welcomes the recent announcement by David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Science and Universities, that the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has chosen Satellite Applications as the next Catapult Centre, to be launched in Autumn 2012.

The Satellite Applications Catapult Centre has been selected in recognition of the UK Space sector’s considerable strengths and significant potential for economic growth.

The formation of the Satellite Applications Catapult Centre is designed to provide access to advanced systems for data capture and analysis, supporting the development of new services delivered by satellites. It will also help accelerate the creation of the next generation of space related products and services.

Barbara Ghinelli, ISIC’s Executive Chair commented, “ISIC is delighted at this decision and strongly supports this development, having been involved in providing the TSB with a strong evidence base to promote the space sector and its capabilities. This is great news for the UK space sector and for the UK economy.”

The Satellite Applications Catapult will also enable the UK to remain at the forefront of technological innovation and will help to deliver the economic growth and jobs set out in the Space innovation and Growth Strategy.

For more information please contact Karen Rogers at karen.rogers@isic-space.com or on +44 (0)7841 066839.

The first £8.5 million of investment from the UK’s National Space Technology Programme was announced today by the Science Minister, David Willetts. This boost to the UK space sector will match-fund a range of projects with industry to develop commercial products and services using space technology or space-derived data.

The competition is funded by the UK Space Agency, in partnership with the Technology Strategy Board and the South East England Development Agency. Proposals are sought for projects that fall into one or more of the following market areas: Satellite Telecommunications; Sensing: Position, Navigation and Timing; Robotics and Exploration and Access to Space. All projects must be collaborative, business-led and have a clear route through to commercial exploitation.

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:

“The UK space industry is an important driver of growth and supports thousands of the most high- tech jobs we have in this country. This investment will take that success further, as part of the £10 million for space technology announced in the Budget. It will help innovative British businesses design and manufacture highly commercial, cutting-edge products that will be in global demand.”

Dr David Williams, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:

‘Having a National Space Technology Programme means helping UK researchers and businesses develop the technology and services for the future of space. The Agency is committed to maintaining the momentum that the UK has gained since our launch last year, and developing our domestic space capabilities will be a large part of that.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said:

“The Technology Strategy Board’s role as the UK’s innovation agency enables it to play an important role, working closely with the UK Space Agency, in engaging the space industry and UK space capability to enable the development, commercialisation and exploitation of space technologies to address broader challenges and growth opportunities across a wide range of emerging markets.”

Oona Muirhead CBE, Chief Executive of SEEDA, said:

“We are delighted that SEEDA’s £500,000 investment will provide vital support to businesses in the South East to develop new commercial opportunities in the space industry and engage in research and development programmes. This programme builds on our support in 2010/11 to small businesses to help them access facilities at the International Space Innovation Centre at Harwell and the Surrey Space Centre. The South East is at the forefront of the global space industry and there are huge commercial and export opportunities for businesses, particularly in down-stream technologies such as phone applications.”

‘Space for Growth’ will provide up to £2 million for flagship projects and up to £100,000 for smaller projects. The competition opens on 31 October and will be managed by the Technology Strategy Board. It will encourage businesses to work together to design new products, a model established by the International Space Innovation Centre at Harwell and Guildford. Further elements of the National Space Technology Programme will be announced in due course.

Download ‘Space for Growth’ for more information: Download PDF