Hosted by the Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NT

The UK is a leading player in space science and industry - we may not have sent astronauts to play golf on the moon, but UK-based companies and academic researchers have provided the knowledge and the technology to send missions to other planets, study the far reaches of the universe and improve the understanding of our own Earth. Many services essential for modern living are aided by satellites built, designed or developed in the UK.

This event will look at the opportunities for UK businesses in space science and the prospects for R&D that this brings. How can the UK ensure it fully exploits its competitive advantage in satellites, robotics and related space technologies?

Space Science - what it does for you!
Professor Richard Holdaway FREng, Director Space Science & Technology, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) has a long history of support for the UK and International Space community. 180 staff work on a wide range of space missions for the UK, as well as with NASA, ESA, JAXA (Japan) and CNSA (China). In total nearly 200 space missions have been supported by RAL over the past 45 years, developing some of the world’s most sophisticated technology to enable world-class science to be undertaken in the UK.

Missions ranging from Astronomy, the Physics and Chemistry of the Sun, Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation and Climate Change will be described, together with an overview of the emergency of the UK’s new Space Agency and the development of the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) at Harwell.

How to gain competitive advantage through R&D: a Space Industry example
Matthew Stuttard, Head of Space Science and Exploration, EADS Astrium

This talk will describe industrial research ongoing at Astrium UK in space science and planetary exploration. The emphasis will be on how a space prime contractor approaches its preparation for future missions to de-risk critical technologies and gain competitive advantage. The rationale for current technology developments will be explained including automatic sampling devices for use on rocky bodies in the solar system, a (patented) extendable optical bench design for a space telescope, robotic systems for handling cored samples on the surface of Mars and development of guidance system concepts for a planetary penetrator.

Biographies

Professor Richard Holdaway FREng, Director Space Science & Technology, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Prof Holdaway obtained his B.Sc & Ph.D in Aeronautics & Astrodynamics at the University of Southampton. Following a period working on the design of the Harrier VTOL aircraft at Hawker Siddeley, he joined the Appleton Lab in 1974 and RAL in 1980. He was appointed Director of Space Science & Technology at RAL in 1998. He has 40 years of experience in Space Programmes, having worked on numerous missions in Space Science and Earth Observation with NASA, ESA, China, Russia and the UK National Programme.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, a Visiting Professor and Member of Council of the University of Southampton and also a Visiting Professor at both the University of Kent and University of Aeronautics & Astronautics in Beijing. He is a regular lecturer at public events, and is a member of numerous National and International Committees, Boards and Councils.

Matthew Stuttard, Head of Space Science and Exploration, EADS Astrium

Matthew joined Astrium in 2006 and is currently head of space science and exploration (future programmes and proposals) in the UK. He moved to Astrium following six years at Logica where he latterly led business development in Earth Observation (EO). During this time he was also active in BARSC, the British Association of Remote Sensing Companies, serving as chairman from 2005 for two years. Following a degree in Geography at Sheffield University in 1981 Matthew started in research into soil erosion and subsequently Earth observation at Silsoe College (now Cranfield university) where he also became a a lecturer in Applied Remote Sensing from 1985. When the college won a contract to map landscape change in the British National Parks using aerial photography he got the project bug. He moved into the commercial world in 1989 working for an EO software house and then a small company (Remote Sensing Applications Consultants) before joining Logica. His past projects have included making the first global vegetation fire map, checking farm subsidy claims using satellite imagery and providing technical assistance in geomatics to a rural development project in the Himalayan foothills. Today he is concerned with securing good UK manufacturing roles on future space missions including Mars Sample Return, Solar Orbiter, space telescopes, asteroid missions, and the European probe to Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons.