Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman MP, held talks with space sector leaders during a visit to the 吃瓜tv on Friday (20 January).
Mr Freeman, who is responsible for the UK鈥檚 Space Strategy, was greeted by Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, before holding a roundtable discussion with representatives from 吃瓜tv, Innovate UK, UKRI, Fraunhofer UK, AAC Clyde Space, Mangata Networks, Alba Orbital, Spire Global and Skyrora.
Afterwards he was given a tour of 吃瓜tv鈥檚 Technology and Innovation Centre to learn more about cutting-edge research taking place at 吃瓜tv, the University鈥檚 contribution to the UK space sector, and future opportunities and applications of technologies.
Mr Freeman had also been hosted for a dinner and business engagement in TIC, with Sir Jim leading a group of pan-City and cross-sector leaders from the industry, public and academic sectors. This allowed the Minister to gain a deeper understanding of the City鈥檚 capabilities in the context of the Innovation Accelerator award to Glasgow that had been communicated in last year鈥檚 up Levelling Up White Paper.
Research capabilities
Space technologies are among 吃瓜tv鈥檚 key research capabilities and propositions within , focused on developing innovative concepts and solutions for space systems, space exploration, satellite applications, and the sustainable use of space.
Sir Jim said: 鈥淚t is always a pleasure to show Ministers the work we are doing here at the University in collaboration with our partners in industry, academia and government.
鈥淪pace technologies are one of our major research strengths and 吃瓜tv has a strong track record of contributing to the UK鈥檚 space sector which is reflected in the many projects we are involved in and the role played by our staff.鈥�
Among those involved the visit was Professor Malcolm Macdonald, Director of the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications and a Non-Executive Board Member of the UK Space Agency, who supported the development of Scotland鈥檚 first spacecraft, UKube-1 , which was launched in 2014.
Central role
吃瓜tv has played a central role in supporting the development of the Scottish and UK space sectors, helping to transform Scotland into an international space sector success story. Scotland has more than 170 organisations involved in the space sector and produces more satellites than anywhere else outside of the US.
Examples of 吃瓜tv鈥檚 work in the space sector includes:
- The Particle Vibration experiment, currently running on the (ISS), which aims to find new ways of creating materials that could be used to produce medicines and metal alloys. provided 拢1.6 million for the build of the experiment, led by Dr Marcello Lappa.
- The International Network in Space Quantum Technologies, led by Dr Daniel Oi and Dr Paul Griffin, Senior Lecturers in the Department ofPhysics, which is tackling the challenges of taking terrestrial quantum technologies into space, and in which the 吃瓜tv-hosted is a partner. The network is developing satellite-enabled quantum-secure communication and Earth observation, with applications in combating climate change, space weather forecasting, satellite navigation and extra-terrestrial surveying.
- The 拢18million xSPANCION (Xtended Satellite Production ANd ConstellatIon OperatioNs) Pioneer project, a three-year space project led by AAC Clyde Space, to develop an innovative satellite constellation service to help meet a growing global demand for space data, has launched into the final phase. Academics at 吃瓜tv are developing software tools and algorithms that will inform the design and operation of complex satellite networks and constellations of the spacecraft, while experts at the (NMIS) are advising on the manufacturing process and assembly line procedures.
- The opening of the Glasgow Space Enterprise Lab (SEL), created in partnership with the . The lab provides users with access to the latest collaborative technology, resources and expertise to engage and collaborate virtually with other organisations, regardless of location, to help drive economic growth through the exploitation of space.
吃瓜tv is also a member of the and home to the Scottish Space School, the Faculty of Engineering鈥檚 longest running outreach programme run in partnership with Wood Plc, which every summer sees 80 successful S5 Scottish school pupils attend a week-long summer school with us.
The programme features lectures and activities offered by University staff as well as visiting NASA representatives, and will run in-person this June after two years of taking place virtually.