Space Sector Investment and Development Plans; Sponsored by Foot Anstey LLP

Cornwall Space Cluster – Gail Eastaugh, Head of Strategic Partnerships

Gail’s objective is to enable the growth of the space and aerospace sectors, helping innovative businesses shape Cornwall’s future in the global landscape through R&D and investment. As a result there is an incredible pool of talent emerging, with opportunities for businesses in the space sector. Gail oversees the growth of the Cornwall Space Cluster, which currently has over 500 businesses working in space and data with a forecast of 1,300 in the next few years, projecting to provide £1bn of additional economic value to the region by 2030 .  She works closely with Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the space communications centre, and Spaceport Cornwall, the UK’s horizontal launch site. Driven by local government’s commitment to the growth of the space industry and using space for good, Gail is working with businesses across many industries who use satellite data to track pollution, offshore rising seas, deforestation, and over population, to combat climate change. She is currently exploring the benefits of using data in the offshore floating wind sector. Gail also recently opened Ch An Glena, the R&D and clean room facility at Spaceport Cornwall, which is now open for business.

Skyrora – Derek Harris, Business Operations Manager

Derek Harris is a new recruit to the space sector having spent the majority of his career in the financial sector before electing to join the space sector with leading rocket builders Skyrora just over 5 years ago. The UK-Ukrainian launch company is working alongside SaxaVord spaceport with the aims to launch its first three-stage Skyrora XL rocket by the end of the year. Derek can be found normally concentrating on suppliers, clients and spaceports while pushing towards sustainability and environmental responsibility at Skyrora Limited and Ecosene Limited.

Space APPG – Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research & Innovation and Vice Chair

Chi Onwurah is the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central. She currently operates as the Shadow Minister for Science, Research & Innovation. Chi is also Vice Chair of the Space APPG that plays a key role in highlighting and promoting the benefits from the UK’s investment in space and its leading role within the global space economy.

Satellite Applications Catapult – Rob Lucas, Director of Facilities and Infrastructure

Satellite Applications Catapult are one of nine catapults, uniquely established to transform the UK’s capability for innovation and drive future economic growth. SAC is at the heart of the satellite services revolution, supporting enterprises across the UK in understanding and exploiting the potential of space and satellites to create opportunities and transform businesses.

Invest North East England – Michelle Duggan, Inward Investment Manager

The North East is a key region in the development of space technologies and satellite applications. The region is home to more than 30 businesses in the space sector, including NORSS, Rhea Group, Thermacore, and Ryleore AI. The North East’s space sector is set for a boost with global aerospace company Lockheed Martin, considering the development of a new facility in the region. Michelle joins us to discuss Invest North East England’s role in developing and innovating the region’s space ambitions.

Pulsar Fusion – Dr James Lambert, Head of Operations

Pulsar Fusion is a private company working on nuclear fusion propulsion technology and advanced space propulsion systems. In late 2021, the UK-based company set a target of raising £200m to develop ground-breaking rocket engines for space travel. They have recently completed their first test of a hybrid rocket engine in the UK, as well as testing a new green, Mach-7 rocket in Switzerland. The company received Government funding in September 2021 to further develop its HET (Hall Effect Thruster) plasma satellite engines.

Innovate UK – Catherine Holt, Horizon Europe National Contact Point – Space

Catherine Holt has been supporting UK organisations access EU research funding for over 20 years and is the current National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe space and and the NCP for the Environment, supporting the biodiversity and natural resources themes in Cluster 6. Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. Through the programme’s predecessor, Horizon 2020, the UK received over €850 million in funding for space, digital transformation, and green industry. Under the current Cluster €302.6 million will be invested to ensure the future of European space programmes, to ensure their services evolve to fit future needs and the protection of space assets.

Spaceport Cornwall – Ross Hulbert, Business Development Manager

Ross is responsible for generating new business opportunities and partnerships for Spaceport Cornwall, the UK’s horizontal satellite launch site. The site will achieve the UK’s historic first sovereign orbital launch with partner Virgin Orbit in 2022. In addition to an unrivalled launch environment, Spaceport Cornwall offers businesses a variety of airside and landside facilities and development opportunities including a business park, development zones, and the Centre for Space Technologies (CST), a series of world-leading research, development and innovative infrastructure facilities, providing the specialist equipment required for the development, testing, integration and launch of space technologies and systems.

North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence – Elaine Scott, Centre Manager

The North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence (NESACoE) is one of a network of Centres managed by the Satellite Applications Catapult and supported by the UK Space Agency. The Centre ensures the successful commercialisation of new technology and innovations by strengthening the UK’s position as a key player in the satellite technology sector. A report published in 2021 showed the number of space organisations in the North East region increased by 50%, with income from the region totalled to £88m. Elaine leads the delivery of support activities and development of the North East’s space ecosystem to help grow the region’s economy.

Foot Anstey – John Catchpole, Partner

Foot Anstey is one of the UK’s fastest growing law firms. It is a significant regional and national player working with leading brands and individuals across a number of core sectors, including Development, Energy & Infrastructure, Islamic Finance, Private Equity. The firm has specialist expertise in delivering legal advice and solutions to businesses and organisations in the rapidly growing commercial space sector.

John Catchpole is a Legal Director and infrastructure lawyer with a passion for space, leading Foot Anstey’s team of space sector focussed lawyers to support businesses and organisations in the upstream and the downstream segments. John has extensive experience in delivering a broad range of complex development and infrastructure projects.

Harwell Campus and Innovation Clusters, UKRI-Science and Technology Facilities Council – Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director

Barbara is responsible for the development of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus at UKRI- STFC. The campus is undergoing a major, multi-year expansion with 1.5m sq ft of commercial space, thousands of new homes a hotel and amenities set to be added by 2027. The next stage of the project – the 21,000 sq ft Zeta, a ‘mid-tech’ building which will allow further growth of the region’s energy, space, health and quantum computing companies. Barbara has established the cluster model deployed at both STFC’s Harwell and Daresbury Science & Innovation Campuses and oversees their development. She has led the creation of six thriving innovation clusters in Space, HealthTec, EnergyTec, Digital and a new in Quantum, across the two sites. These now include over 300 organisations collocated on the campuses.