Category: Space

UK Space Industry Launches Recruitment Drive

A company seeking to attract talent from a multitude of technical and non-technical disciplines has today launched a new initiative to grow awareness of the exciting career opportunities within the UK space sector.

SpaceCareers.uk has received support from the UK Space Agency’s Space for All fund to spearhead an initiative named ‘UK Space 101’, focused on showcasing the accessibility of space jobs to school students, as well as highlighting the need for a diverse range of skills from people currently working outside of the space sector. The team, managed by a young group of space enthusiasts, launched its services on the same day in 2015 that astronaut Tim Peake blasted off to the International Space Station.

According to the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry report published during the Farnborough Airshow this year, there is currently a workforce of more than 50,000 supporting around 1,800 space companies active across the United Kingdom, representing an £18.9bn contribution to the economy. With a National Space Strategy in place since 2021 and strong desire from across the country to capitalise on the fast-growing global space economy, non-profit SpaceCareers.uk is positioning itself as a gateway into the industry. The company’s mission is to highlight the range of jobs available, and to provide support to both candidates looking for a job and employers seeking diverse talent.

SpaceCareers.uk Director Joanne Oliver stated, “SpaceCareers.uk was established to address the industry’s skills shortages by attracting a diverse range of people into the sector, from engineers and scientists to lawyers and sales specialists. The UK Space 101 project has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders across the sector to address current outreach challenges and is something that will act as a tool for teachers, parents and jobseekers to learn more about the industry, and the role of space in our everyday lives.”

“Our message is simple – no matter your background and interests, there’s a place for you in the UK space sector.” Ms. Oliver added.

The UK Space 101 initiative consists of a suite of interactive digital resources, including  a webpage and downloadable poster that explains the growing role of the space sector in our everyday lives and the different ways that people from all walks of life are finding roles within the industry. When arriving on the page, visitors are met with a simple interface and easy-to-understand messaging, answering questions such as “how do we use space?” and “what is the path to a career in space?”. It is intended that the resource will also be useful for space professionals as part of their educational outreach activities, to help signpost interested individuals towards a starting point to learn more about the space sector.

Ingmar Kamalagharan, Head of Education and Future Workforce at the UK Space Agency said, “Our Space for All fund is backing projects like #UKSpace101 to make the space sector even more accessible to young people across the UK. By showcasing the wide variety of space career opportunities available with SpaceCareers.uk, we want to support and inform anyone interested in pursuing a space career.

“This is a fast-growing and vibrant industry, from advancing our knowledge of the universe to providing critical services for life on Earth, and it needs a strong and diverse pipeline of future talent. I would urge anyone interested in a space career to check out the resources on SpaceCareers.uk”

Following a series of workshops with space organisations and engagement across educational representatives and the wider public at New Scientist Live, #UKSpace101 is now available to access without cost at spacecareers.uk/uk-space-101. The company works closely with student-led charity UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) and is actively seeking to engage with educational bodies, libraries, schools, colleges, universities and job centres to raise awareness in space careers across the UK.

Irish-Dutch collaboration for Pathfinder space mission

SUAS Aerospace, the leading Irish aerospace company based in Cork, and T-Minus Engineering, a Netherlands-based company that develops, produces and launches rocket systems for research, observation and training purposes, have announced a strategic partnership to launch the Pathfinder mission in late 2025. Pathfinder is Ireland’s first commercial rocket launch.

This groundbreaking endeavour will serve to position Ireland as a key player in the European space industry. Up to now European orbital rocket launches have primarily been conducted from French Guiana in South America. With the stated EU aim of having sovereignty in space, this Irish launch heralds a truly new era for the European space industry.

To execute the Pathfinder mission T-Minus will provide expertise in solid rocket propulsion, onboard electronics, and launch operations; while SUAS Aerospace will oversee the complex logistics of the launch including site acquisition, licensing, and stakeholder engagement. T-Minus is the most prolific rocket-launch business in Europe.

The Pathfinder launch site will be on Ireland’s west coast, which is an ideal destination for commercial rocket launches. Offering cost-effectiveness, easy access by sea and air, and a large safety zone over the Atlantic Ocean, the west coast location will establish Ireland’s position in the European launch market and encourage state support for space infrastructure to capitalise on this once in a generation opportunity.

The project will demonstrate Ireland’s geographical advantage and capability for delivering satellites to Northerly and Southerly low earth orbits and focus European awareness on the opportunity for commercial rocket launches from Ireland.

T-Minus Engineering brings extensive expertise in the development, production, and launching of rocket systems, providing end-to-end solutions for both the scientific and defence markets. With capabilities in solid rocket propulsion, onboard electronics and telemetry, lightweight materials, and safety simulations, T-Minus Engineering has a proven track record, having launched various rockets from locations across the globe, including Australia, Scandinavia, and the UK.

Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of SUAS Aerospace, said: “The Pathfinder mission is a significant milestone for Ireland’s space program. It will not only demonstrate the country’s technical capabilities but also contribute to economic growth and job creation. By partnering with T-Minus, we are ensuring that the launch meets the highest safety standards and regulatory requirements, paving the way for future space activities.

“Having collaborated on a project previously with T-Minus Engineering, they are the obvious choice for the Pathfinder mission, having conducted multiple suborbital launches within Europe and worldwide,” he said.

Hein Olthof, CEO of T-Minus Engineering, said: “As T-Minus seeks new opportunities outside the Netherlands due to space restrictions, the Pathfinder project presents a unique solution and will support our further expansion across Europe. We believe this partnership will open up new opportunities for our customers, and we are confident that our collaboration with SUAS Aerospace will lead to innovative and successful projects, fuelling the growth of Europe’s space capabilities. Ireland can be a centre of this growth.”

“The establishment of new launch sites, such as Ireland, will encourage harmonization of launch operations within Europe, mainly in regulations, which in the end leads to better and more efficient legislation. This can give Europe the desired edge in the important field of space access.”

SUAS Aerospace was founded in 2019 and is supported by Enterprise Ireland.  With initial investment of €1.1 million to date, and along with T-Minus Engineering, it has secured significant partnerships with major European Companies including Skyrora and Pangea Aerospace. It is part of a successful consortium awarded a €5m grant from Horizon Europe to develop interoperable (plug and play) rocket engine testing infrastructure for Europe.

Go on a cosmic journey with Space Week Ireland 2024

Ireland is set to become the epicentre of astronomical wonder and scientific innovation once again as Space Week Ireland returns from 4th-10th October 2024.  This year’s festival is set to be even more out of this world, with Astronaut Steve Swanson joining the celebrations on a nationwide road trip, bringing the cosmos to communities across the country.

Space Week Ireland is part of the global annual  celebration of space, designed to promote space science, technology, and exploration. Coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory the festival aims to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts, foster collaboration within the aerospace community, and showcase Ireland’s growing footprint in the global space industry

Space Week Ireland 2024 promises an exhilarating blend of education, exploration, and entertainment with events throughout the country for all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer, a curious student, or simply someone who marvels at the night sky, this year’s program has something extraordinary in store.

Ireland ranks second per capita for hosting Space Week events globally, with Irish space enthusiasts showing unparalleled interest. Rob O’ Sullivan, National Outreach Coordinator for Space Week Ireland explained, “There’s something in Irish culture that draws us to the stars. With a rich history of contributing to space science—including having the world’s largest telescope for 70 years—it’s no surprise we embrace Space Week so enthusiastically.”

“Today, Irish scientists continue to contribute to cutting edge research at organisations such as the European Space Agency and European Southern Observatory, while Irish companies such as Réaltra Space Systems Engineering and Enbio are taking advantage of the incredible opportunities presented by the growing global space industry.

The Space Week Ireland 2024 Roadtrip

Astronaut Steve Swanson will join the MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory team on a road trip, as they explore the wonders of the cosmos and the Emerald Isle. The road trip kicks off at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory on October 4th and continues to Cork, Galway, Offaly, and Dublin. You can follow the journey virtually on the Blackrock Castle Observatory YouTube channel—subscribe in advance to receive livestream notifications from each location.

Stop 1: MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory (Cork)

The road trip begins with a bang at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory.

Stop 2: Cork School of Music
This family-friendly event features an interview and Q&A with Astronaut Steve Swanson, followed by interactive space and science booths. (Register for this free event.)

Stop 3: Galway Atlantaquaria
The team will explore how ocean life on Earth can inform our understanding of life beyond, particularly as NASA’s Europa Clipper mission prepares to investigate the potential for life to exist on Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa.

Stop 4: Birr Castle, County Offaly
Home to the historic “Leviathan” telescope, once the largest in the world, this stop delves into Ireland’s rich history in astronomy, with Space Week ambassador Seanie Morris.

Stop 5: Explorium, Dublin
The road trip concludes at Explorium, where Swanson and the team will join Dr. Niamh Shaw to explore the intersection of space and climate change in the “Cool It” exhibition.

For more on the Space Week Road Trip see www.spaceweek.ie/events/the-space-week-road-trip/

The #NovaHunter Photography Competition

MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory will host the #NovaHunter competition on Instagram as part of Space Week 2024. The winner will receive a family pass to Blackrock Castle Observatory and a prize pack filled with Space Week goodies.  The goal of the contest is to encourage people to look to the skies and hopefully get to experience a once in a lifetime event, a visible Nova, the sudden appearance of a bright “new” star!

No fancy equipment is required—just your phone! To enter, capture an image of the Corona Borealis constellation between October 1st and 15th, and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #NovaHunt. Tag @blackrockcastleobservatory, and don’t forget to include your location and who you’re sharing the experience with.

Find more details on the competition and a helpful guide to locating the constellation at www.spaceweek.ie/events/competition-nova-hunt/ .

Get involved

There’s still plenty of time to participate in Space Week! If you, your school, astronomy club, or community group would like to host your own event, you can easily register it on the Space Week Ireland website. Whether your event is large or small, public or private, Space Week Ireland will help promote it if you sign up early.

To find out more information or to submit your own Space Week Ireland event  visit the official Space Week Ireland website at www.spaceweek.ie

Spaceflux Wins Dstl Contract for Infra-Red Sensor Technology Demonstrator System and Launches Spaceflux Labs

Spaceflux, a leading provider of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) solutions, has been awarded the “Infra-Red Sensor Technology Demonstrator System for Space Domain Awareness” contract by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) executive agency.

The contract to design and build an infrared telescope testbed to de-risk the technology for ground-based surveillance and characterisation of satellites marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to advancing SSA capabilities and reinforces the firm’s position as a world leader in SSA. This project will be led by Spaceflux’s new innovation hub, Spaceflux Labs, a dedicated research division that will propel the future of SSA technology. 

Spaceflux Unveils Unique Daytime Satellite Tracking Capabilities 

Spaceflux’s innovative solution features a large optical telescope equipped with two cameras, integrating both Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) and visible sensors. This advanced setup will enable daylight tracking and unprecedented characterisation capabilities of satellites and space debris across all orbital regimes. Daylight tracking expands the operational window for tracking space objects beyond nighttime observation, allowing for 24/7 monitoring. This will help mitigate potential collisions, prevent accidental interference with operational satellites or missions and reduce the risk from in-space hazards. Advanced characterisation on the other hand, improves understanding of the behaviour of such objects and helps to optimise satellite deployments, de-orbiting procedures, and other space operations in increasingly congested orbital environments. 

As part of the project, Spaceflux will enhance its existing data analytics platform, Cortex, to further improve the characterisation of space objects. These enhancements will be integrated into the Spaceflux Miru Stations, a fully integrated optical SST (Space Surveillance and Tracking) system, and the Track & Guard service, further enriching the company’s product offering capabilities. 

The new infrared sensor system will be installed at the firm’s observatory in Spain, a strategic location that benefits from optimal weather conditions for infrared observations. Following the installation, Spaceflux will conduct a series of experiments over several months, and the results will be delivered to Dstl for assessment. Following the technology demonstrator, the company will integrate this advanced sensor into its global network permanently, enhancing Spaceflux’s ability to provide high-quality, timely space situational awareness data to its clients. 

Marco Rocchetto, CEO of Spaceflux, commented, “Winning this Dstl contract is a testament to Spaceflux’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology. By integrating innovative sensor technologies with our AI-driven analytics platform, CORTEX, we are poised to advance the UK’s capabilities in Space Domain Awareness significantly.” 

Dr William Feline, Senior Principal Scientist at Dstl, commented, “Dstl are delighted to be working with Spaceflux in this novel and exciting area of research.  We hope that this project will lead to significant enhancements in the UK’s sovereign SSA capabilities in support of the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC).”

Launch of Spaceflux Labs: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration 

In tandem with the recent Dstl contract award, Spaceflux is thrilled to announce the official launch of Spaceflux Labs on October 1st 2024. Situated in London, Spaceflux Labs will serve as a dynamic hub of innovation, committed to pushing the boundaries of Space Domain Awareness through advanced research and close collaboration with customers and partners. Spaceflux Labs will act as a collaborative nexus, facilitating engagement with leading academic research in AI and Space Situational Awareness to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge science into market-ready solutions. 

Led by Prof. Ingo Waldmann, one of Spaceflux’s co-founders and a distinguished astrophysics professor at University College London, Spaceflux Labs will focus on pioneering projects such as self-calibrating sensors, track-before-detect technologies, and sensor fusion. These initiatives aim to enhance the detection capabilities of smaller and fainter objects in space, contributing to global efforts to ensure a safer and more sustainable orbital environment.  

Prof. Waldmann, who will be joining Spaceflux full-time as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead the Labs, stated, “Spaceflux Labs represents the next chapter in our journey to revolutionise space situational awareness. Our goal is to drive innovation in AI and sensor technologies, fostering collaboration and co-creation with our partners to deliver transformative solutions that meet the challenges of tomorrow.” 

This dual achievement showcases Spaceflux’s leadership and expertise in the field of space situational awareness and aligns with the firm’s recent successes and strategic objectives in the UK. This project not only advances Spaceflux’s technological capabilities, but also positions the company for future opportunities to supply next-generation state-of-the-art systems to other clients​​​. 

Sky’s the limit for Space Week events – nationwide call for participation!

Space Week Ireland returns this October 4th-10th 2023 and organisers at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, in partnership with Science Foundation Ireland and ESERO Ireland, are calling on space enthusiasts, community groups, businesses and institutions nationwide to organise their own out of this world events.

The festival, which aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts, coincides with World Space Week and is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Over the week, the public can explore a space-themed festival of events and a captivating series of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, throughout the country.

Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at SFI, said: “Space Week Ireland brings the public together with the space community through events which encourage creative and critical thinking and reveal the vastness of the Universe around us. It’s the perfect opportunity to inspire people about the wonders of space and to celebrate those who work in the space industry. Ireland is well positioned to become a leader in this sector thanks to our well-equipped STEM workforce and curious young people. Through this focused celebration of Space Week, everyone has an opportunity to engage with the latest research and develop a greater understanding of our planet and universe.”

Everyone in Ireland is invited to organise an event. Whether you’re a tiny club or community group, a classroom, a large organisation or institution, or a family interested in the wonders of the universe. Those interested are invited to register an event that falls within the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Space, Our Time’, which emphasises the shared spirit of adventure, curiosity, and innovation that underlies humankind’s ongoing exploration of the cosmos. All those that register will also get a digital Space Week Kit. Events can be large or small, public, or private, free to enter or with an entrance charge, so the sky’s the limit with your imagination. All event submissions are automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win some cool Space Week Prizes and the Space Week team will help publicise your event if you register before 15th August.

Rob O’ Sullivan, National Outreach Coordinator for Space Week Ireland said “Space Week Ireland has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we’re convinced this will be the best one yet. Space Week Ireland is one of the busiest on the world stage so it’s obvious that Irish people have an appetite for all things space. We are calling all space enthusiasts, community groups, families, and businesses to engage by creating or attending an event. You can get loads of inspiration by accessing the downloadable resources on the spaceweek.ie website which has activities for every kind of group to help you plan and engage with Space Week.”

Commenting on the importance of Space Week, Dr Niamh Shaw, one of Ireland’s leading STEAM communications experts, said: “Space Week Ireland is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Space exploration is a fascinating and important field. We all stand under the same sky looking up in wonder, so it is fitting that during Space Week everyone is invited to join in discovering the wonders of the universe. I would encourage individuals, educational institutions, museums, astronomy clubs, and other organisations to submit their event ideas and help make Space Week Ireland an unforgettable experience for all.”

Ideas for possible events include:

  • Public lectures and talks by renowned experts in the field of space science.
  • Hands-on workshops and demonstrations showcasing the principles of space exploration and technology.
  • Interactive exhibitions featuring models, telescopes, and artifacts related to space missions and discoveries.
  • Astronomy-themed competitions, quizzes, and games.
  • Film screenings of space-themed movies or documentaries.
  • Stargazing events and guided observation sessions.
  • Virtual reality experiences provide immersive journeys through space.
  • Space-themed art exhibitions and performances.

To guarantee inclusion in the programme the deadline for event entries is August 15th, 2023. To submit an event or find more information about the submission process, interested parties are invited to visit the official Space Week Ireland website at www.spaceweek.ie