The third Space Cluster meeting was held at Daresbury on May 25th. Following an introduction by Alan Cross, Paul Vernon the Head of Daresbury Laboratory described the fantastic facilities at the Laboratory and some of the ground breaking work being done there. Alan Cross then explained how the industry had expanded in the region over the first year of the Cluster’s existence and some of the successes.
Nathan Shoesmith, Lancashire LEP introduced “The Lancashire in Space Partnership.” This consists of UCLan, Lancaster University, Edgehill University, The North West Aerospace Alliance and the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub and will drive forward the agendas on skills, diversification and innovation to grow the local Space economy while directly supporting the North West Space Cluster and the National Space economy.
There then followed a series of panel sessions, the first being entitled Cumbria: Serious about Space with Ian Wheeler - Cumbria LEP, Miranda Kirschel - ISH, Andrew Horner - Jacobs and Jacob White from NNL.
The North West Testing Ecosystem was described by Simon Lewis - ESR Technology, Dominic Coy - Jacobs and Dr. Kate Smith from Manchester University.
The panel for Space: The Cyber Frontier was Antonia Yendell – Austrade, Dr. Sharon Lemac-Vincere – Lancaster University and Alan Cross.
University Space Capabilities were covered by Professor Robert Walsh – UCLan, Dr. Ogbonnaya Anicho – Liverpool Hope University and Dr. Sharon Lemac-Vincere of Lancaster University.
Rob Adlard – Gravitilabs, Kai Hoettges – Liverpool University, Andrew Horner – Jacobs and Hamid Soorghali of Satellite Applications Catapult discussed the use and benefits of Microgravity.
The final panel on Space Startups was entitled “Spinning Out and Spinning In” and consisted of Thomas Chiu – Hive Space, Dr Nick Crisp – Manchester University, Paul Bhatia – ESA Business Applications Ambassador and Amy Farrington from STFC.
Closing the meeting Alan Cross reminded everyone to complete the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry Survey.
For further information on the Space activity in our region contact bob.morris@thensc-uk.com
Image: Lancashire in Space Partnership members with Nathan Shoesmith