Airbus hosts Constellation

Airbus in Broughton, Cheshire was the venue for the last North West Space Cluster meeting of 2024.   The event was held in the Airbus Wings Club on December 12th and was a joint Space Wales and North West Space Cluster event in the morning and an Aerospace Wales meeting in the afternoon.  Members of the three groups were able to attend either or both meetings and many did so.

John Whalley, CEO Aerospace Wales, welcomed everyone and briefly described some major Space Wales events and projects such as the upcoming launch of the Space Forge satellite Forgestar-1 and the Snowdonia Space Centre developments.

Given the mix of attendees Rosie Cane, Space Wales Cluster Development Manager, and then Alan Cross, North West Space Cluster Development Manager, summarised the current status of the regions, recent and future developments including events.

Rosie Cane described the close relationship that the Space Wales Cluster has with Welsh Government, Paul James from Wesh Government was in attendance, and that sustainability was at the heart of what they aim to do.  There are over one hundred companies and organisations employing more than two thousand people working in the sector in Wales.  Many aspects of Space were covered by the sector and examples included Qioptiq based nearby in North Wales whose work ranged from solar panel cover glass to instruments such as the Enfys spectrometer on the ESA ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover.  Swansea University was involved in Space Solar developments and Cardiff University developed instrumentation.  Facilities being developed included the National Microgravity Centre being built by Space Forge in Cardiff, the Space Technology Test Centre in Llanbedr and the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) in Pembrokeshire.

Describing the North West Space sector Alan Cross listed some of the almost two hundred companies and organisations employing over two thousand three hundred people in the region.  Facilities included the ESA Tribology Laboratory, Jodrell Bank and the Hartree Centre in Daresbury.  He covered the ongoing work developing the Space Partnerships, Power4Space and the recent Beyond Earth bid. 

Two minute lightening pitches were then given by attendees including Sam White of Amentum, Adam Harper of Hosokawa, Adrian Quayle of Flintloque, Duncan King of Adept Fasteners, Ian Thomas of Fatigue Management Systems, Aidan Wigham of MSP, Dominic Hopwood of SHD Composite Materials, Wayne Baker of Qioptiq, Adam Paigge of Supernova Labs, Alex Macleod of the IET, Emmanuel Dupuis of STFC, Litah Atans of Cloud Aero Training,  Space Technology Consultant Mark Williamson, Mick Salt TUV SUD Nuclear Technologies, George Titley of Light Coatings, Ed Trollope from EUMETSAT,  Gavin Cox of Global Invacom,  Simon Booth of DSV Air and Sea, Barry Williams of Glyndwr Innovations, Sophie Addison of Addison Group, Ray Stott of Space Specialists and Marcus Rutherford of 2Dheat Ltd. 

Topics covered included Microgravity Test Facilities, Materials Chemistry and Composite Materials, Radiation Testing and Shielding, Specialised Coatings,  Transportation and Shipping, Groundstation Equipment, Space Equipment Design and Manufacture, Space Insurance, Space Publications, Business Incubation and Help, SpacePlanes, Consultancy, Training and Coaching, Components and Infrared Smart Heating Panels.

Looking to the future Bob Morris also took the opportunity to encourage attendees to think about encouraging and helping local student Space societies and offering internships.

Following a networking activity and break Omar Khorshid, CEO of MLS Connectivity Solutions gave the keynote presentation.  He explained the global lack of connectivity in many areas both geographical and sector based and how technology can address this.  MLS, based at OpTIC in St Asaph, provides advanced satellite based AI powered IoT to connect and enhance operations across various sectors.  The company has wide experience in various hi-tech domains including earth observation, 5G connectivity and remote sensing.  It provides a satellite gateway that allows seamless reliable communications between different satellite networks, terrestrial networks and IoT devices even in remote areas.  An AI Data Management System is used to process the large volumes of data and enhance the decision making process.

The company also provide specialised remote sensing devices for different sectors including Agriculture, Energy and Logistics.

The Space meeting formally ended with lunch that provided another great opportunity for networking.

The Aerospace Wales meeting was chaired by Rachel Blackburn, Director Aerospace Wales, who gave an overview of the recent events including a trip to China.

Helen Swift,  Airbus UK Public Affairs Manager, reflected on the implications of the UK Governments’s Industrial Strategy for Aerospace and Regional Growth.  Barry Kirby, KSharp MD, talked about the importance of a human centred approach in developing systems and products.  Darren Reynolds, Airbus & Unite, reminded everyone of the issue of metal health and the risk of overworking and Hannah Garratt, Head of Airbus Digital Academy, explained the role of human factors in digital transformation.

Following a break Sharan Kaur and Rob Weatherhead from AMRC talked about Industry 5.0 and robotics.  The last presentation was entitled Xplore! – Helping to shape the next generation and was given by Katie Williams the Business Development Manager.  Xplore! is a Science Discovery Centre based in Wrexham aimed at children from three to thirteen years old and houses eighty five interactive exhibits all STEM based.  It holds a Science Festival in August and runs forty different curriculum related activities.

John Whalley formally ended the day by thanking the organisers and hosts for such a varied and interesting agenda and speakers.  He then provided his thoughts on the day and prompted attendees to do so.  Finally he invited everyone to remain for the next hour or so to enjoy the refreshments available and continue informal discussions.

“As an organisation we cover the North West of England and North Wales and today illustrated just how the Space industry has developed here in the last few years.  It was great to see so many members present and stay for the Aerospace meeting and also the valuable connections that they were able to make.  Another really interesting and useful event.”  Bob Morris, NSC Chairman.

Constellation at Birchwood

The third North West Constellation of the year was held in conjunction with the Midlands Space Cluster at the Engine Rooms in Birchwood Park in Warrington on October 8th.   Prior to the formal meeting there was a buffet lunch where ESR Technology displayed a part of the Hubble Space Telescope Solar Array drive mechanism that had been replaced by STS astronauts in 1993. 

Alan Cross opened the meeting and welcomed all including some Midlands Space Cluster members.  He gave an overview of STFC, it’s role in ‘discovering the secrets of the universe’ and developing advanced technology and the three NW Clusters viz Health, Digital and Space, based at Daresbury.  Digital and Manufacturing are prioritised.  NW Space Cluster projects included Power4Space with the Midlands Space Cluster, Local Space Partnerships, Resilient Communications with Space North and several other Cross Cluster projects including Beyond Earth and Autonomous Connected Earth.   The UK Space Conference on 16th and 17th July next year is in Manchester for the second time in eight years.

Frank McQuade, Midlands Space Cluster Manager then described the region’s capability and plans.  The Cluster covers the area from Wales to the East Coast with Stoke being the northern limit. The region houses many advanced manufacturing companies as well as eight universities with more than nine hundred researchers, the biggest number concentrated in and around Space Park Leicester.

As part of the UK’s interest in developing nuclear space batteries and microreactors Alan introduced Power4Space, a UK Space Agency funded ‘Pan Regional Partnership’ between the North West Space Cluster and the Midlands Space Cluster.  The aim of this is to develop greater co-operation between the regions so as to maximise the benefit they, and the UK, receive from UK built Space nuclear systems.

Tim Tinsley, National Nuclear Laboratory, reminded everyone that nuclear power has been used in Space since the 1960’s from deep space missions such as Voyager to the Mars Science Laboratory.  All the Mars rovers have used nuclear power.  Plutonium 241 decays to Americium 241 and this is being developed in the UK as the power source for future Space missions.  ESA has funded work for many years and he described the ongoing work between NNL and Leicester University.  He also described the current NASA power requirements and some previous workshops.

Tim ended by inviting attendees to the forthcoming Power4Space workshops in in Space Park Leicester on 30th October and at Harwell on 31st October.

Then Colin Bridger from Amazon gave the first two minute pitch on AWS Space and Fusion and was followed by others including, Steve Wood Cumbria University,  Andrew Millington ADM Projects,  David Quill Flintloque Management Systems,  George Titley Light Coatings,  Malcolm Gresty DTI,  Helen Jermak LJMU,  Chris Wiles Hyde Aero Products, Paul Bhatia  ESA Business Applications,  James Miller PWHytek,  Ray Stott Space Specialists,  Bruce Poston Technia, David Robson Methera and Manchester student Ben Taylor.

Topics included Project Management skills and training, Engineering Design services, Management Systems, the Civil Aviation Authority and Space Regulations,  the Defence and Security Accelerator,  DTI, Radiation protection & analysis, the new Liverpool Robotic Telescope, Advanced Manufacturing,  Structural Design and Test, Product Lifecycle Management, Actuators and Drives and MEO Satellite Constellations.

Simon Lewis and Olly Poyntz-Wright from ESR Technology then gave an overview and brief history of the company before describing current capabilities and projects.  The European Space Tribology Laboratory (ESTL) was originally set up in Warrington in 1972 by ESRO, the forerunner of the European Space Agency (ESA).  ESTL and it’s role of the testing of lubricants and mechanisms continues as part of ESR Technology.  As well as providing safety and risk management consultancy the company now also designs, manufactures and supports a wide range of Space mechanisms and has worked on missions from LEO to GEO and beyond eg ESA’s cometry mission Rosetta and NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Titan.  Current work included thermal shutters for Cubesats and on the Moon.

Amentum is the new name for Jacobs Space business and Sion Edwards described their heritage and current capabilities.  Andrew Horner and James Dennis then described in more detail some of the projects and work undertaken.  At Birchwood more than seven hundred engineers and scientists are involved in material characterisation, engineering and testing.  Finally Sam White talked about their robotics development and simulation and it’s relevance to Space.

Summarising the event Alan Cross closed the meeting by advising everyone that the next Constellation event was another joint one, this time with Space Wales and would be at Airbus in Chester on 12th December.  Finally he reminded all about the Sattucino events held at Harwell on the first Wednesday of the month and the fact that there is the opportunity for individuals to meet up and dial in from the Space Enterprise Laboratory in Daresbury.

Attendees then had the opportunity for further networking and touring ESR Technology’s facilities.  For further information on the Space activity in our region contact bob.morris@thensc-uk.com

UCLan hosts Constellation

The second North West Constellation was held at the Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) in UCLan on June 19th, the day after UCLan had hosted the UK Space Agency Trajectory Roadshow.  Alan Cross opened the event and gave an update on recent Space activities.  He then reminded all about the Sattucino events held at Harwell on the first Wednesday of the month and the fact that there is the opportunity for individuals to meet up and dial in from the Space Enterprise Laboratory in Daresbury.

The popular two minute lightening pitch followed.  Speakers included Professor Jim Wild Lancaster University, Ann Elisabeth Seach of Liberty Coaching, Joanne Pledger UCLan,  Alexandra Bromhead STFC, Peter Hodgson Quinas Technology, Sara Myers ESERO, Doug Robinson Keplar Communications, Mark Prince, Jodie Faitakis UKSA Accelerator, Flow Collingwood Pan Galactic, Mick Salt TUV SUD Nuclear Technologies, Greg Goodall AWOL Adventure, Vincent Evans, Dominic Coy Jacobs, Sam Hilton Cerebus Nuclear, Ray Stott Space Specialists and Adam Paigge of Supernova Labs,

The pitches covered a wide range of topics including Space Weather and Space Data, Communications Technology, Materials Chemistry, Radiation Testing Facilities and Radiation Shielding, Use of Facial Recognition, the Civil Aviation Authority, Space Robotics, Consultancy and Coaching, STEM and Space Planes.

Professor Robert Walsh then described the Space work and facilities at UCLan including the EIC.  Space work included Space weather instrumentation and measurement and participation in the NASA sounding rocket program.  Space companies they work with include ESR Technology Limited in Warrington.  UCLan also hosts the UK office of the United Nations Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN- SPIDER).

Although currently there is no specific Space course the undergraduate aerospace course is broad with a ‘space flavour’.  UCLan also runs an active outreach program and has a Sun sculpture that is used at public events.   Jeremiah Horrocks Institute is part of UCLan and as well as astronomical research it too involved in outreach.    

Dhanushka Amaradasa, a Space Mechanisms Researcher at UCLan, then talked about lubricants, their use in Space and the number of mechanical issues due to lubricant failure.  The testing of lubricants is mainly done on the ground with limited testing in Space.  A tribometer is a device that measures lubricancy and he is planning to build one into a cubesat to test in Space.

The last presentation was by Professor Jim Richards from the School of Health, Sport and Work who studies muscle activation.  Electromyography measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle and is used to detect neuromuscular abnormalities that can indicate certain diseases.  Although various affects of being in Space have been studied there has been limited work in this particular area.  In fact the only actual test on astronauts was on the Space Shuttle in 2006 when, after only two weeks, a different muscle behaviour was observed.

The formal meeting then ended with ample time for networking.  Another very interesting meeting showcasing the range of Space activities in the region. 

UCLAN hosts Trajectory

The fourth UK Space Agency Regional Trajectory Road Show was held at the UCLan Engineering and Innovation Centre (EIC) on June 18th. 

Trajectory is a roadshow of regional ecosystem events that are run by the UK Space Agency Accelerator. The aim is to amplify opportunities for entrepreneurs who are a part of the UK Space Agency Accelerator Community by connecting them to the wider ecosystem, customers, suppliers and investors. It also serves as an innovative showcase of the vibrant and diverse space start-up ecosystem for regional businesses, investors and public sector stakeholders. The Accelerator is managed by the UK Space Agency and lead by Entrepreneurial Spark and Exotopic.

The event started with NW Space Cluster Manager Alan Cross welcoming everyone to the region and the event before Jodie Faiakis ran through the Agenda.

UCLan Professor Robert Walsh gave an overview of the history of astronomy in the area and then described UCLan’s Space work from solar astrophysics, involvement in the NASA Sounding Rocket Programme to muscle degradation and Cubesat developments.  He also described the EIC facilities that would be seen later.

The attendees included individuals on the Leo and Geo Accelerator programmes and so Ashleigh Dinter, Entrepreneurial Spark Programme Manager, summarised the schemes and introduced the participants and celebrated their successes.

Anki Koivumaki, Entrepreneurial Spark, ran a workshop on branding and attendees were then able to analyse and discuss their own branding and how they had created them to create the message they wanted.

The actual reality of being an entrepreneur in the Space industry was illustrated by NSC member Dr Vivek Koncherry who gave an inspiring talk of how he was, using his expertise in graphene, building a company to fulfil his ambition to create a space station.  He talked about the lessons he had learnt and gave practical advice on collaboration, presenting your business case and acquiring customers and funding.

Following this Dr Koncherry joined a panel of other seasoned Space entrepreneurs who discussed a range of challenges and opportunities for growing a business in the UK Space industry.  The other panellists were Ralph Dinsley, 3S Northumbria Ltd, Oren Smith-Carpenter, Aurora Avionics and Andy Grey of Exotopic.

The tour of the EIC Facilities also included a flight simulation experience using the University’s flight simulators where attendees had the opportunity to take off, fly and land different planes.

The day ended with a drinks reception and music from a live group on the rooftop of the building.  A great way to end an interesting day and provide plenty of time for networking.

“It was fascinating to hear from some of the future entrepreneurs on this UK Space Agency scheme and good that our region received this focus so that others are aware of what is happening here especially at UCLan.  I would encourage anyone with new business ideas for Space to look at this Accelerator scheme.  There are more and more Space events happening now in the North.  On June 5th we again attended the NE Space Conference in Durham and continue to build relationships with companies and universities in their region.  We also attended the Ignite Space event in Leeds held 11/12 June where Alan Cross was involved in running the event and many NSC members attended ” Bob Morris, NSC Chairman.  For more details on the UK Space Agency Accelerator see Trajectory — UK Space Agency Accelerator

Skyrora Lands at LASER

On May 1st LASER (Liverpool Association for Space Research and Technology) hosted a presentation by Dr Jack James Marlow,  Head of Engineering at Skyrora.  LASER President Conor Lamb introduced Dr Marlow, originally from Liverpool, who gave a fascinating insight into the actual design, build and testing of the engines and the Skyrora XL rocket itself.  He explained the attention to detail required eg how in software a semi colon in the wrong place could terminate an engine test and some of the practical issues faced during the launch in Iceland.  He also explained the engineering management structure and techniques, lean methods and tools such as Prince2.  He was employee number six when he joined Skyrora and the company is now two hundred and fifty strong.   

A very active question and answer session followed, at the end of which Dr Marlow invited the students to visit the Skyrora plant in Scotland.

“It is great to see such activity at LASER.  Yesterday with some of the students we visited Jacobs in Warrington and Dr Marlow’s presentation today was a great insight into the practical issues involved in building rocket engines.  Last year some of the LASER team visited Skyrora and it’s good that Dr Marlow has offered to host them again this year.  Finally I understand that LASER have entered the UKSEDS National Rocketry Championship for the first time and we wish them good luck in the competition”  Bob Morris, NSC Chairman.

For more information on the student space societies and Space generally contact bob.morris@thensc-uk.com

Wales Defence & Space Conference

On the 16th April Northern Space Consortium Board members Bob Morris and Will Chambers attended The Future Defence & Space Opportunities in Wales along with several NSC members.  The Conference, chaired by Dr Rosie Cane Space Wales Cluster Manager, was held at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Wrexham.

First speaker, Colonel Chris Fogarty, Chief of Staff at UK Space Command described their operation, facilities and budget.  The use of Fylingdales three sided radar, the Space Flux telescope in Cyprus and the activity of the SPOC at High Wycombe were described.  A possible site at Harwell is being considered and they looking to open their Space Academy to non military personnel as well as furthering links with universities. Also there maybe an option to run some of the courses at Spaceport Snowdonia.  Since funding started three years ago Space Command will soon have a complement of 700 staff.

This was followed by Jonathan Bray who talked about the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) it’s capabilities and the way that they work to help industry with some specific case studies.  Air Commodore Robert Woods, Air Officer Wales covered his background, the importance of training and of Space now and how it is used or affected in conflicts eg the hacking of the Viasat system just before the invasion of Ukraine.

Lewis D’Ambra, Spaceforge, described how rapidly the company had grown, built their first spacecraft in 5 months and that the second would be launched later this year. He discussed the sites being considered for launching and landing and working with Northrop Grumman.  Then Dr Matt Gunn from Aberystwyth, talked about the spectrometer that they were building for the ESA Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover.  This spectrometer is a replacement for the Russian one and so was on a very tight schedule.  Dr Phylis Makurunje, Bangor University, talked about the University’s Nuclear Futures Institute that had grown from five personnel when she joined to now forty.  They are working on fuels for Space both for use as lunar surface microreactors, with Rolls Royce, and as propulsion systems with ESA.

Arcanum Information Security is an independent cyber security consultancy based in South Wales and Carissa Gardiner and Dan Lovegrove described the services they offer including penetration testing.  Matt Jaffa from Small Spark Systems gave a demonstration of the Mission Management Suite (MMS) their new product.  Built for both Space start-ups and established companies MMS is a platform that provides space mission systems design and execution services.

Paul James, Welsh Government, explained his role and the services and help available to Space companies in Wales.  Professor Caroline Gray, Wrexham University, talked about OpTIC, a university owned facility, it’s capabilities and some of the projects undertaken there.  Finally Tom Adamson from the UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) explained how DASA can help fund and exploit technical innovation.

In summing up the Conference John Whalley, Space Wales Co-Chair, asked specific attendees for their thoughts on the day’s events and gave Bob Morris the opportunity to explain the role of The Northern Space Consortium.

The Conference ended with some time for networking that was fully utilised by the attendees.

“It was a very interesting and useful day.  It was good to catch up with several of the speakers and our members as well as make new connections.  We look forward to next year’s conference.” Bob Morris NSC Chairman.