North West University Fair

This year’s annual North West University Fair was held on March 19th at Sci-Tech Daresbury. The aim of the Fair is for companies and the region’s universities to develop better links.  The Fair was well attended by a variety of companies including the Northern Space Consortium.

The half day event commenced with an exhibition featuring stands from the University of Central Lancashire, University of Chester, University of Cumbria, Lancaster University, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford and InnovateUK/Knowledge Transfer Network.

Following this there was a series of company case studies and panel discussion. The case studies covered five different aspects of university/company interactions from hi-tech companies eg Quantum technology to relatively low tech ones eg a company hiring Yurts. The different aspects were student projects and placements, student recruitment, apprenticeships, collaborative research and knowledge transfer partnerships and access to facilities.

Finally there were two separate tours of the Sci-Tech facilities, one the Laboratory and workshop and the other the Virtual Engineering Centre, Hartree Centre. 

NSC Chairman Bob Morris commented “ A very interesting and useful day. Universities are a key player in the expansion of the Space industry in our region and although we have great contacts with some of our universities today has allowed us to establish the relevant contacts with all our region’s universities.  Also there was worthwhile advice on all sorts of aspects of working with universities. On interns for example it was recommended that, if possible, two interns at a time be taken on as they can relate to one another and build confidence, expertise, and generate ideas better.  Companies should consider meeting the university beforehand to scope exactly the use of the interns.  The overall message for companies from the day was to contact the universities as soon as possible and speak to their business co-ordinators to discuss any possible future projects.”

ManSEDS Innovation in Space Festival

The Manchester Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (ManSEDS) Innovation in Space Festival was held on the 27th March on the Manchester University campus and attracted over a hundred students, academics and industry personnel. This year for the first time the Festival included presentations from industry and a small exhibition.

ManSEDS is one of the largest SEDS Groups in the country and has previously won National and International competitions. 

The Festival was opened by the ManSEDS President, Zuzanna Nagadowska.  Bob Morris, NSC, described the current state of the Space Industry with specific reference to the latest developments in the UK and the sort of projects that the students could be working on in the future. This was followed by David Johnson from AMSAT-UK on their work from ground stations to orbiting satellites. Xavier Geneste from the European Space Agency talked about co-operation in Space, the day to day working of a space engineer and some of the latest technical developments. Mitch Hunter-Scullion talked not only about his Asteroid Mining Corporation and their plans but also about entrepreneurship.  Finally Alistair Scott, British Interplanetary Society gave a history of the influence the Society has had and continues to have in the industry and the relevance and support it provides for students.

There followed a break for networking and to allow attendees to look round the exhibition.  The exhibitors included the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, The Institute of Physics, Fossa Systems, Micross Components, The British Interplanetary Society and the Northern Space Consortium, manned by Board Member Will Chambers.

The presentations resumed with the ManSEDS project leaders, Matthew Liu, Joshua Green, James Lockwood and Alex Shelly describing the various projects that the group is working on viz Rovers including the European Rover Challenge, High Altitude Balloon, Rocketry and CanSat.

Finally all the guest speakers participated in a panel session chaired by ManSEDS member Zachary Madin.

“This was a really interesting event, with a variety of topics and it’s great to see the enthusiasm and effort that the students put into it and ManSEDS generally and we wish them every success in this year’s competitions.  Being a student run group they would welcome any support or sponsorship from local companies. The Northern Space Consortium fully supports ManSEDS and we are keen to see such groups in all our region’s universities” Bob Morris, NSC.

For more information on SEDS see www.ukseds.org  or contact bob.morris@thensc-uk.com

NSC at UK Space 2019

The 2019 UK Space Conference was held in September at the International Conference Centre in Newport, South Wales, and the Northern Space Consortium was there representing and promoting our region’s capabilities.

The night before the start of the three day conference the NSC held a drinks reception and Northern Stars event in the hotel next to the exhibition hall. The event was well attended not only by senior figures in the UK space industry including UK Space, Innovate UK and the UK Space Agency but also international guests from several countries including the USA, Ireland, Holland and Japan.

The evening started with a brief overview of the NSC by Bob Morris.  Gerry Webb and Alistair Scott then described the role the British Interplanetary Society had played and continues to play in developing the space industry.  Joanne Phoenix, NSC Board Member, talked about Sensor City, it’s capabilities and it’s success to date.  Alan Cross, ESA Business Applications, described his role in developing the use of space data in the region.  Finally Ray Stott, SpaceSpecialists, talked not only about his company’s services but also about the work that Mark Waters, 4wardfutures, with his Constructing a Life on Mars (CaLoM) project was doing in the region to motivate school children in STEM.

The rest of the evening was taken up with networking and resulted in lots of very useful business contacts being made, including meeting Johann-Dietrich Worner, ESA Director General.  All this before the conference itself had even started .

The NSC had a stand at the conference that was manned by all the Board Members in attendance including Will Chambers and Gareth Abbott.  As well as generating interest in the region there was ample time to visit the rest of the extensive exhibition, experience some of the technology on display such as a spacecraft docking simulator, meet Tim Peake and attend the various presentations.

The UK Space Conference 2019 was the largest and best attended to date and the NSC was able to raise the profile of our region and make many new great national and international contacts.

UK Space Design Competition 2019/2020

On Saturday 23rd November the regional heats of this year’s UK Space Design Competition were held in the University of Liverpool and again NSC Chairman Bob Morris was one of the judges. The Competition is for school pupils in years 10 to 13 and is designed to encourage and stimulate an interest in space and engineering.  The origins of the competition go back to the USA in 1983 and in 2008 Dr Randall Perry of Imperial College, London set up the Space Science and Engineering Foundation to run the competition from the college.  The winners of the UK competition take part in the International Competition in the USA.  There is also a Galactic Challenge for ages 10 -14.

For the heat in Liverpool the participants had to design a manned base to be used for the mining of small asteroids and processing the results into usable products. The project was set in the year 2077 and the base had to designed such that it could be moved to other asteroids and re-used.  The winners of the heat was a team comprised of pupils from West Kirby Grammar School and St Edward’s College who go forward to the final in Imperial College.

Northern Stars – Liverpool November 2019

Wednesday 27th November 2019, 7:00pm Sensor City, 31 Russell St, Liverpool L3 5LJ

 

Sensor City was the venue for this Liverpool Northern Stars meeting.  Given the location and facilities the attendees had the opportunity to provide formal presentations on their work and plans for the future.

Following an introduction by Bob Morris, Dan Watson gave an overview on Sensor City, it’s facilities and some of the ongoing projects including a potential cubesat project.  Helen Jermak from Liverpool John Moores talked about the work at the Astrophysics Research Institute on astronomy and telescopes including an update on the Liverpool Telescope 2.   Stefania Soldini, University of Liverpool, explained her work on orbit determination and her experience in Japan as part of the Hyabusa 2 project. 

Mitch Hunter-Scullion, Asteroid Mining Corporation, described the latest developments in asteroid mining.  Zuzanna Nagadowska, ManSEDS President, talked about all the projects undertaken by the students from high altitude balloons to rocketry, satellites and outreach activities.  Alan Cross, ESA Business Applications Ambassador, covered the use of space data and the commercial opportunities available.  Gunter Just and Paul Broadley described their projects and some of ongoing space work at the University of Manchester from small satellites to propulsion systems.

Ray Stott, SpaceSpecialists, talked about after working in space throughout the world he had returned to the NW where his company offered a range of services from consultancy to recruitment and training.  Vicky Duncalf, Vicky Video, is a space sector video blogger and presenter and reminded everyone of just how effective film is in promotion and marketing.  Finally Greg Thorpe, GTI Space, talked about a solution for addressing the issue of space debris.

A very full and interesting evening and many thanks to Sensor City for hosting the meeting.

Space and the Construction Industry

The Restaurant Bar and Grill in Manchester was the setting on 21st March for the first Money in Space round table.  The Money in Space series of round tables is a UK Space Agency funded project to explain the benefits of space technology and space data to a wider audience.  The attendees at this first round table represented all aspects of construction and land use as well as Downtown in Business, Comoo, ESA Business Applications and NSC Board Members Bob Morris and Will Chambers.

Following an introduction by Frank McKenna and brief overview of the space industry by Bob Morris, Alan Cross started the discussions by talking about how space generated data was being used in construction and land use.  This led to a lively debate on a wide range of industry issues and potential solutions.  Delyth Edwards also explained the success of the Daresbury business incubation centre.

NSC Chairman Bob Morris “It was great to hear about some of the day to day industry issues and to see just how the attendees realised the benefits they could get from using existing data especially when Alan was able to relate such relevant case studies.  There is now a vast amount of space data available and this means that there are also many opportunities for local companies to develop applications and services using this data and we would like to talk to them too.”

Any companies or organisations interested in space technology or the use of space data and would like to learn more should contact bob.morris@thensc-uk.com

Outreach Programme, 'Money In Space', Launched

As part of the UK Space Agency funded ‘Money In Space’ programme, The Northern Space Consortium is pleased to announce a series of events, designed for businesses in the region, introducing the potential benefits and opportunities that the Space sector offers.

Sector specific events have been arranged where organisations can explore the many ways that space can benefit them. The events are for those already working in space, those who can see the benefits of the space industry but don’t know where to start or those who work in specific sectors and want to learn about the potential.

The industry specific events are:-

•           Transport and Logistics

•           Heath and Life Sciences

•           Low Carbon and Energy

•           Construction and Land Use

•           Advanced Manufacturing

For more information on the events and to book a ticket see www.moneyinspace.co.uk

NSC Spearheads UK Space Agency Project

The Northern Space Agency in partnership with local companies Downtown in Business and Comoo has been awarded a contract by the UK Space Agency to get businesses in the region more involved in the space sector.

Frank McKenna, chief executive of Downtown in Business said “Space plays an increasingly essential role in our daily lives. As a sector it continues to provide an excellent opportunity to grow the UK economy and provide the new services and applications that contribute to an ever connected world. We are delighted to be working on this project and with businesses who want to get involved.”

Alan Cross, the European Space Agency Business Applications Regional Ambassador added: “Space is a critical industry to the UK and, considering the experience and skills across our region, offers business a great opportunity. This programme of analysis and engagement represents a major escalation of our region’s ambitions in innovation and growth, and it’s delivery could not be more timely.”

Northern Space Consortium chairman Bob Morris: “It is envisaged that the programme will consist of a series of industry specific events. The Northern Space Consortium’s role is to help the development and expansion of the space industry in our region and this is exactly one of the ways that we can do that. We look forward to working together for the benefit of all in our region.”

New NSC Board Member Announced

Dr Joanne Phoenix

The Northern Space Consortium is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Joanne Phoenix to the Board of Directors.  Joanne is the Interim Executive Director of Sensor City, has a background in ecosystem development and many year’s experience creating and supporting new technology companies.

Joanne said “I am honoured to be joining the NSC Board and am looking forward to making a positive impact, linking companies and academics together to create synergies for the space sector”.

NSC Chairman Bob Morris commented “I would like to congratulate Joanne on her appointment and look forward to working alongside her in the future.  We have known Joanne since the initial opening of Sensor City and worked together on several different projects. She is already well known in the area and brings a wealth of knowledge and contacts that will help the further development of the Northern Space Consortium”.