Space West - May Newsletter

Run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities, and provide new cutting-edge answers to defence problems at home and abroad, ensuring the UK expands its competitive, pioneering and world-class defence and security industries.  The £16 million programme is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK to develop innovative materials, technologies and processes, and to enhance defence supply chains.  

A notice of a key ESA Space Solutions theme for 2024: Commercial Applications of Space-Enabled Robotics

This funding is looking to combine some of the breakthroughs in robotics (enhanced autonomy, dexterity, and interaction capabilities) with parallel advancements in the space sector meaning that satellite technologies now have the capability to enable novel services utilising robotics.

There will be 6 sub-theme dates through 2024:

Smart Cities and Infrastructure: 1st March 2024 – 1st May 2024

Transportation and Logistics 1st April 2024 – 1st June 2024

Energy and Utilities: 1st May 2024 – 1st July 2024

Health and Safety: 1st June 2024 – 1st September 2024

Maritime: 1st September 2024 – 1st November 2024

Agriculture: 1st October 2024 – 1st December 2024

West of England Combined Authority are supporting businesses in the region to explore the benefits from the implementation of digital technologies. Providing access to grant funding, bespoke expertise and guidance for your business as well as skills and training.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

The Defence and Security Accelerator find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively. Check it out for open calls for funding. 

The EO DataHub (EODH) programme has been instigated by UKRI to address challenges around effective exploitation of Earth Observation Data. It represents a first phase of a national asset, supported by the government and specified with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) alongside NERC. The programme is a pathfinder project led by the National Centre for Earth Observation and a partnership of public sector bodies.

ESA's ARTES Core Competitiveness programme helps European and Canadian industry to develop innovative satcom products, services, systems and partnerships.

The South West Investment Fund is the first in a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds being launched by the British Business Bank, and it will deliver a £200 million commitment of new funding to the area. The fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West.

This year, the UK Space Agency is looking to support projects which contribute knowledge relevant to future human and robotic exploration missions.

The purpose of this announcement opportunity is to support academics who have been selected for groups and/or science teams, campaign science groups and other definition work relating to Exploration missions.

Since 2017, the UK has invested €50 million into NavISP to support the UK space PNT sector to innovate the next generation of space-enabled and space-supported navigation products, services and applications.

The UK investment in the programme is available to support UK organisations to undertake technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.

The UK Space Agency is looking to provide support to companies and academic institutions across the UK in developing innovative technologies to grow UK capability. We are keen to engage with start-ups and SMEs (from both within and outside the space sector), as well as established companies and organisations. Collaborative proposals are also welcomed.

Don't miss 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Delivering a Cyber-Secure Space' event on June 6, organised by CyNam in collaboration with Space West, Barclays Eagle Labs, and Crowe UK.

Held in Cheltenham Town Centre, this event will bring together government and industrial space and cyber communities to explore how to ensure the security and resilience of UK space capabilities. Join us for insightful discussions and networking opportunities!

Acting as a catalyst for commercial success, Ignite Space conference and exhibition 2024 will create opportunities for you and your business to engage with new customers, collaborators and investors within the UK space industry and its supply chain. The event  runs from 11-12 June 2024 and will be held at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Book your free place now!

Don't miss Defence in Space a two-day free International event tackling a diversity of topics from both the industry & the public sector. Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Manager will be there. Topics include MilSat, Space ISR, Space Domain Awareness, Earth Observation, Geospatial, Multi-orbits, PNT, Satcom, Space Security & Cyber and Defence Strategies. This conference is free of charge and organised by and for the Space & Defence industry.

Every two years, the aerospace, aviation and defence industries are invited to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre for the world’s best airshow to pioneer change, build new connections, engage with thought leaders and get access to unparalleled business development opportunities.

Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Manager, will there on behalf of Space West.

The role

As a Satellite Communications Engineer you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Babcock have been awarded the contract to manage and modernise the UK MOD satellite network, Skynet. As part of this programme, we are looking for an experienced Satellite Communications Systems Engineer to lead the upgrade of Radio Frequency (RF) and Intermediate Frequency (IF) Systems.

The role

As a Network Management System Lead, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Babcock have been awarded the contract to manage and develop the UK MOD satellite network, Skynet. As part of this an extensive modernisation programme is taking place.  

The role

As the Assistant Chief Engineer – Voice & DATA, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary.  As a senior member of the engineering discipline, collaboration and working in partnership comes naturally. You are someone who owns and delivers, who champions high performance and is courageous to challenge the status quo when we need to do better. 

The role

As an Assistant Chief Engineer you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Mission Systems enable our customers to deliver their mission, through our products and solutions, using intelligence and analysis and delivering critical communication services. Our aim is to be at the centre of our customers' modern digital backbone by connecting and delivering sensors, decision support, and air effectors across military and business domains.

The role

As a Third Line Support Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You will be key in the undertaking of fault investigations and performing upgrades and enhancements. You will also support an On-call rota for out of hours support.

The role

We are looking for a Propulsion System Engineer to join our team in the UK. You will become part of a growing Spacecraft Propulsion and Thermal group. Within this team, you will contribute to the definition and improvement of the Propulsion System designs of Spacecrafts. The activities will range from the specification definition up to the support to AIV activities and will include the execution of tests and technical interactions with suppliers.

The role

D-Orbit is hiring a systems engineer to join our growing UK systems engineering team. As an integral part of the group, you will be involved in both the customization of already flight-qualified platforms, such as the ION Satellite Carrier Vehicle, and the design of new advanced missions. Your ultimate objective as a systems engineer is to ensure your systems, the spacecraft, will fly safely to orbit, deliver the services required by mission objectives and eventually successfully accomplish its disposal.

The role

As a Spaceflight Operation Development Engineer, you will be involved in the design, development, verification, and validation of some of D-Orbit's most innovative space missions. Within this role, you will lead all pre-launch flight operations preparation activities for the missions that you will be assigned to.

The role

D-Orbit is hiring a system engineer to join our growing system engineering team. As an integral part of the group, you will be involved in both the customization of already flight-qualified platforms, such as the ION Satellite Carrier Vehicle, and the design of new advanced missions. Your ultimate objective as a system engineer is to ensure your system, the spacecraft, will fly safely to orbit, deliver the services required by mission objectives and eventually successfully accomplish its disposal.

The role

We are looking for an innovative individual who can develop technical solutions, lead technical delivery, engage clients and build business in growing UK and international markets, but predominantly space.

The role

• Lead the application of iCOMAT's technology in the space domain working with customers and colleagues to create and optimise products for space.
• Act as the design authority for space bids and projects providing advice to colleagues in production and programme management.
• Support the formulation of plans for product and technology development.

The role

• Lead the development of relationships with customers, partners and other stakeholders in the space sector and the identification of new opportunities for manufacturing sales and collaborative R&D opportunities.
• Develop, manage and deliver a backlog of sales opportunities using a structured, complex selling methodology.
• Provide direction and oversight to bids and the development of current contracts

Starion UK, now headquartered in Bath, is keen to recruit the best expertise to deliver space segment and ground segment systems and studies. Whilst there is not currently a recruitment campaign underway, we welcome CV’s from those seeking roles in these areas. If you are interested, please email  [email protected] before the end of June 2024