Space blog - Business

EADS Astrium agrees to acquire SSTL

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:42:48 +0100

Hot off the press. The deal promises more investment and the financial backing of the larger parent company, whilst preserving SSTL's unique market position and vision in changing the economics of space.

EADS Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has entered into an agreement to acquire the innovative University of Surrey spin-out company Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), which specialises in the design and manufacture of small and micro satellites. This landmark deal provides the financial and industrial resources required for SSTL’s expansion and future development. Completion of the acquisition is subject to obtaining the relevant regulatory approval.

“In the UK we are renowned for our design and manufacture of telecommunications satellites, interplanetary spacecraft and satellite services provision. SSTL is one of the great success stories of the UK space industry and will be a substantial complement to what we can offer customers around the world with its expertise in small and micro satellites and their innovative approach to developing new markets for space,”.

Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK.

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of SSTL, has been an active ambassador for the UK space industry for many years and considers the acquisition as essential:

“SSTL operates in a highly competitive global market. If we are to continue changing the economics of space and provide the innovative solutions our customers demand we must expand and maintain our R&D investment. This acquisition strengthens SSTL enormously whilst preserving our unique approach to space.”

You can tune in to a podcast with Sir Martin to hear his personal thoughts on the deal by clicking here.

Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey commented:

“This is a great move for both the University and SSTL. On completion, this will represent one of the largest cash spin-outs from any UK university. It will also allow the Company to realise its full potential as a rapidly growing and leading supplier of small and micro satellites, whilst the University retains the benefit of close interaction with SSTL and its new partner EADS Astrium. By retaining a small stake in SSTL the University shows its commitment to both the future of the Company and space research itself.”

SSTL is joining EADS Astrium following a decision by the University of Surrey to sell its majority stake of circa 80% in the small satellite manufacturer. SSTL will remain an independent UK company with its individual brand and unique approach to space following the agreement, whilst benefiting from access to the resources of a large corporation including design, manufacturing and test facilities. Astrium will benefit from enhanced links with the University of Surrey to support staff training and development, also leading to greater cooperation and increased research on space technology and systems.

Astrium is one of the world’s leaders for its expertise in space transportation, spacecraft and satellite services including prime contractor for Ariane 5, the Columbus space laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle for the International Space Station, and its leading-edge large and complex geostationary telecommunications satellites, and the Skynet 5 secure communications system for the UK Ministry of Defence. SSTL will complement Astrium’s existing space capabilities that include space transportation, satellites and services.

Under the share purchase agreement, SSTL will be owned by EADS Astrium NV in the Netherlands. Completion of the transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant merger control authorities.

The agreement sees long-term research collaboration between the University of Surrey and EADS Astrium and will further advance the University’s cutting edge space research capacity. The collaboration will also allow Astrium to benefit from staff training and development opportunities afforded by the links with the University. The sale will support the already-strong presence that Guildford and the south-east have in the aeronautical and space industries, creating a centre of expertise for space technology. This will allow for the region to benefit from the Government’s commitment to invest in the UK space industry.

SSTL and OHB for Galileo

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:33:51 +0000

SSTL and OHB Germany welcome and support the decision on Galileo taken by the European Transport Council approving a proposed change in the tendering rules for the Galileo satellite navigation system that will clear the way for the programme to move forward as a publicly funded project. Within that context, OHB and SSTL have signed an agreement to work together on the Galileo programme. OHB will prime the contract supplying the satellite platforms, with SSTL supplying the payloads.

A full press release may be viewed here

Satellites help reduce Amazon deforestation

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:08:53 +0000

The Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (better know as INPE) has placed a contract for a third year with DMC International Imaging Ltd to acquire high-resolution satellite images of the entire 5 million square kilometres of the Amazon rainforest. Since 2004 INPE’s programme to monitor deforestation has dramatically reduced the rate of logging from 27,000 sq.km. per year to about 10,000 sq.km. in 2007.

Amazon deforestation

In order to rapidly identify areas of cover change, DMCii is contracted to provide three repeat coverages in 2007 (June-July, July-August, September-October). In 2005, and again in 2006, DMC imaged the whole Amazon Basin in 6 weeks to provide Brazil with vital information to help monitor deforestation and combat illegal logging.

DMC imagery is provided by the five-satellite international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The DMC small satellites, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), use wide area cameras to capture the high-resolution images. The latest satellite, built for China, was launched into the DMC on 27 October 2005. Two new DMC satellites will be launched in 2008 and a third in 2009.

Speaking at the Royal Society in London, 25th October, Dr. Gilberto Camâra, Director General of INPE said,

“The DMC data is an important affordable contribution to our assessment of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The constellation is able to rapidly acquire and deliver high quality imagery so that we have up-to-date information to focus our efforts. It is our intention to develop a long term relationship with DMC”

The increasing amount of DMC imagery required by INPE since 2005 demonstrates the value of rapid revisit imaging. When the new DMC satellites launch in 2008, these will add considerably to INPE’s ability to monitor and combat changes in the rainforest and their consequences for both the local people and the global climate.

The Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) help Brazilian society to benefit from new developments in space science and technology. This includes increasing Brazil's autonomy in a number of strategic areas, providing the means for Brazilian industry to participate and become competitive in the space area and encouraging the development and dissemination of space technology.

INPE has developed a near or almost real time monitoring application for deforestation detection known as the Real Time Deforestation Monitoring System (DETER) system. High-resolution imagery is needed when estimating the total area of deforestation and when identifying small clearings.

When it's not coordinating the response to natural disasters, DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) supplies remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMC data is now used in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.

Learn about business in the space industry

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:09:27 +0100

SSTL's Sir Martin Sweeting is giving a talk to the West Surrey Branch of the Institute of Directors (IOD) next Thursday evening, 20th September at the Continuing Education Centre in Guildford. These lectures are open to all IOD members and their guests. An invitation is also extended to the MBA students at the University of Surrey. The programme summarises as follows:

"SSTL is a company that is a disruptive force in the satellite industry and which is 'changing the economics of space'. Leveraging terrestrial commercial-off-the-shelf technologies developed for laptop computers, digital cameras, computer games and mobile phones, SSTL is able to offer rapid-response, low cost yet highly sophisticated microsatellites that have opened up new aspects of space business. Spun out from the University of Surrey in 1985, SSTL continues to work closely with the academic space research centre demonstrating the effectiveness of real commercial and academic synergy. Nevertheless, the company has changed dramatically as it has evolved from 4 staff in 1985 through to 250 staff in 2007 with revenues of £30m. Such organic growth has presented many challenges - and no doubt more are to come."

ESA satellite imaging for DMCii

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:59:18 +0100

This week, the European Space Agency awarded DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) a contract to provide satellite imagery of 38 countries in Europe. Remote sensing will be used to monitor Europe’s environment and land use, including natural resources such as agricultural land and forests. High resolution DMC satellite images will provide valuable information for the European Global Monitoring for Environment & Security (GMES) services and European scientists.

It is difficult to achieve cloud free coverage of Europe in a single year, but DMCii coordinates a constellation (DMC) of 4 satellites carrying the same sensors, which can dramatically speed up the process when compared to a single satellite operating in isolation.

Paul Stephens, DMCii reflected on the constellation approach, “This campaign demonstrates the value of constellations for imaging large areas in a short time. With several new DMC satellites launching in 2008 and 2009 we plan to start providing multi-season imaging services in Europe and elsewhere to meet the operational needs of GMES services. ”

Images are acquired within dates specified by each of the 38 countries, and delivered as precisely positioned data in each national map projection. DMCii started to acquire high resolution imagery in April ‘07 and will complete the campaign in October.

On the move at SSTL

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:14:28 +0100

It has been a busy couple of weeks at SSTL, with a number of people on the move.

Paul Brooks

Paul Brooks has been appointed Director of Business Development & Sales. Paul joined SSTL as Director of Projects in 2006 having long admired SSTL’s approach to affordable space missions.

An Oxford scholar, Paul joined the UK’s Defence Research Agency in 1991 (known as QinetiQ since privatisation in 2001), to work on space-based surveillance remote sensing systems, going on to lead the innovative TopSat mission and supporting the launch and operations of four communication satellites.

Joining SSTL in 2006, Paul has managed a team of project managers at SSTL working on a diverse range of missions and studies. In his new role Paul will lead his team in developing business opportunities for SSTL’s small satellites, including entry-level geostationary and affordable interplanetary missions.

Andy Bradford

SSTL has appointed Andy Bradford as Director of Projects following Paul Brook’s appointment as Director of Business Development and Sales.

Graduating from Cranfield with an MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering, Andy was a young graduate trainee at ESA–ESTEC, before joining UK company, Space Innovations Ltd where he was a mechanical Systems Engineer.

Andy joined SSTL in 2000 as Project Manager for the Turkish BILSAT-1 microsatellite launched into the Disaster Monitoring Constellation in 2003. He went on to manage SSTL’s largest and most challenging satellite project to date, GIOVE-A, the first satellite of the Galileo navigation constellation launched in 2005

SSTL

New LEO satellite cooperation with Russia

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:34:19 +0100

SSTL has signed an order with the Federal State Unitary Enterprise - The Russian Research and Production Enterprise Pan-Russian Research Institute for Electromechanics (FSUE NPP VNIIEM) and Radioexport of Russia for the supply of satellite platform equipment and services for the KANOPUS Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Earth observation spacecraft.

The first satellite, KANOPUS-B, will be ready for launch in 2008. It will monitor the Earth's surface and will support the monitoring of disasters, agricultural planning and the management of water and coastal resources. Under the contract SSTL will supply FSUE NPP VNIIEM with the platform avionics equipment and software, and support their spacecraft assembly and integration activities in Russia.

SSTL's executive chairman Sir Martin Sweeting commented, "This contract is a unique opportunity for FSUE NPP VNIIEM and SSTL to further develop its co-operation on future Russian small satellite projects."

Last month ESA awarded SSTL a follow-on contract for the supply of a second navigation satellite, GIOVE-A2. 12 satellites are currently under construction and test at SSTL's facilities in Guildford for customers in Europe, North America and Africa.

Press Release: Russia places order with SSTL for satellite platform equipment

NigeriaSat-2 signing and celebration

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:06:38 +0000

SSTL's team in Abuja, Nigeria are pleased to announce that the NigeriaSat-2 contract was signed this morning by the Minister of Science & Technology of Nigeria Prof. Turner Isoun, Prof. Boroffice (Director General NASRDA) and SSTL CEO Sir Martin Sweeting.

The Minister congratulated SSTL on the performance of NigeriaSat-1, the training of Nigerian personnel and for enabling Nigeria to take its first steps into space for the benefit of the nation: he now looks forward to building on this excellent relationship with SSTL to make NigeriaSat-2 an even greater success.

NigeriaSat-2 promises to provide valuable services to Nigeria and to Africa, such as monitoring water resources and assisting the response to natural disasters.

The signing ceremony was attended by about 100 people including TV and press. A celebration lunch is now about to commence hosted by NASRDA and this evening Sir Richard Gozeny will host a dinner at the the UK High Commission for the Minister, Permanent Secretary, DG NASRDA, SSTL & TeleSat.

UK Exports Earth Observation Satellite to Nigeria

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:35:03 +0000

SSTL have just signed a contract in Abuja for the supply of the NIGERIASAT-2 Earth observation satellite, related ground infrastructure and a training programme to further establish a national indigenous space capability in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The selection of SSTL by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria follows a detailed technical evaluation and due diligence undertaken by NASRDA's procurement advisor, Telesat of Canada, confirming the UK company's position as the world-leading supplier of advanced operational small satellites.

The new 300kg satellite, for launch in 2009, will provide Nigeria with valuable geographically referenced high-resolution satellite imaging for applications in mapping, water resources management, agricultural land use, population estimation, health hazard monitoring and disaster mitigation and management.

By signing this contract with SSTL, Nigeria takes another large step in the development of their National Space Plan, building upon the existing NIGERIASAT-1 Earth Observation microsatellite supplied by SSTL in 2003 and the NIGCOMSAT-1 communications satellite currently being built by China for launch in 2008.

Commenting on the contract with SSTL, NASRDA's Director General, Professor Robert Boroffice, stated that, "this contract is the next step in Nigeria's long term plans to use space for the benefit of Nigeria and Africa. We are convinced that space provides a cost-effective means of addressing many of the issues facing African nations - such as mapping, water resources management, agricultural land use monitoring, population estimation, health hazard monitoring and disaster mitigation and management."

SSTL will develop NIGERIASAT-2 based upon its new generation of high-resolution Earth observation satellites to provide affordable access to space, using the latest advanced small satellite technologies developed from the TOPSAT and Beijing-1 missions launched successfully last year.

Commenting on the contract award, SSTL's CEO Sir Martin Sweeting noted, "I am delighted that NASRDA has decided to continue its successful partnership with SSTL on such a critical operational and training programme for Nigeria. Nigeria is a very valued member of the DMC and its continued cooperation with SSTL and DMCII ensures the operational status of the international DMC is extended even further. NASRDA's decision also confirms SSTL as the world-leading supplier of operational small satellites."

The contract with NASRDA follows "hot on the heels" of the signature by Deimos (Spain) on 10th October 2006 on a contract with SSTL for an EO microsatellite to join the next generation of the international DMC constellation. With NIGERIASAT-2, Nigeria will also join the second generation DMC, with the satellite being fully controlled from NASRDA's new satellite Mission Control Centre facilities in Abuja.

The DMC owes its success to a unique concept created and led by SSTL whereby each member of the DMC consortium (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Spain, Turkey, UK) owns and operates its own satellite, whilst co-operating with the other DMC members on satellite tasking and image capture to achieve a 24-hour revisit worldwide. The DMC satellites have been manufactured by SSTL and their operation in orbit is coordinated by DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii), a subsidiary of SSTL.

The NIGERIASAT-2 contract adds to an already successful year for SSTL and is expected to create up to 50 new high technology jobs in the UK. Alongside the recent contract with Deimos (Spain) and the successful launches of TOPSAT, Beijing-1 and GIOVE-A missions at the end of 2005, this contract further illustrates SSTL?s ability to manage multiple complex space missions successfully, at low cost and within short delivery timescales.

Ex astronaut Pedro Duque signs DEIMOS deal

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:56:33 +0100

SSTL were host to ex-ESA astronaut Pedro Duque this month. Pedro worked at ESA (European Space Agency) for 20 years, the last 14 of which were spent as an Astronaut Pedro has visited space twice - on the US shuttle in 1998 and on a Soyuz launched mission to the International Space Station in 2003 as part of the ESA?s Cervantes Mission.

Now, Pedro is the CEO of the new company "Deimos Imaging SL", a subsidiary of Deimos Space SL. Pedro was visiting SSTL so that his company could finalise a contract for an Earth imaging satellite named DEIMOS.

Click the thumbnail to enlarge - (from left to right) James Penson, Adrian Black, Alfonso Barreiro - Deimos Imaging, Petro Duque - Deimos Imaging, Miguel Bello Mora - Deimos Space, Abel Calle Montes - Univerisdad de Vallavolid, Paul Stephens (DMCii), Jenny Lorenzi.

This satellite will be built by SSTL to be ready for launch early in 2008 and will form part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The satellite will provide imagery for commercial applications, for government use and for rapid-response following disasters.

This contract with SSTL will provide Deimos with an enhanced version of the DMC wide area imaging system. The new system will image 600km wide swaths of the Earth in three spectral bands at a ground resolution of 22 metres, rather than using the standard 32m DMC imager. The contract also covers the provision of the ground system to allow operation of the satellite from Valladolid, Spain and it establishes SSTL as the launch agent for procurement of launch services.

This contract is Deimos' first step into satellite ownership. Since it was formed in 2001, Deimos has grown rapidly to become one of Europe's leading Space consultancies with over 200 staff. Mr Durque commented, "we went to Surrey because they could offer us excellent value with a proven product."

Mr Duque also acknowledged the unique operation of the DMC, "by procuring one satellite, we could benefit from being a part of a larger constellation which is already operational. This means that we can receive data from space before our satellite is launched and, once launched, obtain imagery of Spain far faster than we could with a single satellite. Our business case relies on this."

Sir Martin Keynote speaker at CRSSS

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:55:36 +0100

Some 200�International business and government leaders gathered this week in Washington DC at the Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite Symposium�hosted by NOAA and USGS�to explore the current issues facing this important business sector.

The symposium included keynote speeches and interactive panel discussions on a range of topics pertaining to the commercial remote sensing global market. Sir Martin Sweeting headed up the second day and addressed the �Challenges of the International Environment�.

Sir Martin focused his attention on��the role of small satellites in changing the economics of space and particularly their impact on Earth observation and remote sensing. He used high resolution (2.5m & 4m) images from�the latest satellites built by SSTL for the UK and China (TOPSAT & BEIJING-1) to illustrate the dramatic increase in capabilities now offered by EO satellites - all within with a mass of about 150kg and costing around �10M.

VLSI Design and Embedded Systems Research Group

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:46:30 +0100

Last week Dr Tanya Vladimirova and Dr Xiaofeng Wu from the VLSI Design and Embedded Systems (VDES) Research Group of the Surrey Space Centre (SSC) attended the 1st NASA/ESA conference on Adaptive Hardware and Systems in Istanbul. Dr Tanya Vladimirova gave a keynote address entitled "Addressing the challenges of microelectronics design for space applications" which was very well received. Dr Xiaofeng Wu presented two papers "Enabling Technologies for Distributed Picosatellite Missions in LEO" co-authored by T. Vladimirova, K. Sidibeh, D. Barnhart and A.-H. Jallad and "On-Board Partial Run-Time Reconfiguration for Pico-Satellite Constellations" co-authored by T. Vladimirova.

The �1-million EPSRC project ESPACENET: "Evolvable Networks of Intelligent and Secure Integrated and Distributed Reconfigurable System-on-Chip Sensor Nodes for Aerospace based Monitoring and Diagnostics" jointly undertaken by the University of Surrey (SSC), University of Edinburgh, University of Essex, University of Kent, SSTL, JPL(USA), Epson and Spiral Gateway, was officially launched at the conference.

British company delivers Beijing-1 EO satellite

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:17:48 +0100

British satellite manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), has just completed a landmark commercial satellite contract with BLMIT - marking the first attempt to commercialise the data services from Earth observation (EO) satellites.

At a ceremony held in Beijing, the Beijing Landview Mapping Information Technology Co., Ltd (BLMIT) signed the formal in-orbit acceptance of the high resolution EO microsatellite (Beijing-1) built in cooperation with BLMIT, marked the commencement of the satellite�s operational commercial service for customers.

Professor Li Wei-jian, Project Manager commented, �This pioneering project it is the first time the Chinese government has provided operational Earth observation from space through a commercial contract and SSTL is very pleased with the results.�

The 166 kg Beijing-1 is the most capable low cost Earth Observation (EO) satellite to date, carrying two payloads that provide high-resolution (4-metre) panchromatic images alongside medium-resolution (32-metre) multi-spectral images with an ultra-wide 600km imaging swath. Beijing-1 may join the internationally coordinated Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), led by SSTL, which includes satellites from Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey and UK. With 5 satellites working together, the DMC is able to gather images of a given location daily, thus mitigating cloud cover and monitoring dynamic or rapidly changing phenomena in a way single satellites cannot.

Madam Wu Shuang (CEO of BLMIT) added, �We are very pleased with the successful cooperation with SSTL on this innovative project. Beijing-1 uses state-of-the-art small satellite technologies delivered at low cost and within just two years from contract signature. We are now ready to commence a new era of commercial EO services for our customers.�

Beijing-1 will provide the Chinese government and commercial users with information on agriculture, water resources, environment and disaster monitoring throughout China. The satellite will be used extensively for monitoring urban development and pollution, especially in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and to generate digital maps of China using the high-resolution panchromatic imager. The satellite is capable of continuously imaging Chinese territory even at the longest landmass track (3000 km) and transmit images to the groundstation in Beijing in real-time at high speed (40Mbps) with on-board programmable compression. Image data gathered outside the reach of the groundstation is stored on-board in a hard disc mass storage device for retrieval at night or later on demand.

BLMIT, a private company established to manage the commercial data distribution and services of Beijing-1, is undertaking a project to obtain cloud-free images to map the whole China within 6 months.

SSTL Group CEO, Sir Martin Sweeting said, �We are very pleased that our Chinese customer is so satisfied with the in-orbit performance of our latest operational high resolution EO microsatellite. This has reconfirmed SSTL�s capability to deliver a fully operational EO system at low cost and to a tight schedule. We have also found working with our customers in BLMIT very positive.�

The Beijing-1 microsatellite, launched in October 2005 with a life expectancy of over five years, cost approximately �10M manufactured and delivered into a 686km low Earth orbit by SSTL. BLMIT and SSTL have since been working together to evaluate its performance in orbit and also exploring its full operational potential, offered by the 14 different operational modes and re-configurable on-board hardware and the software to respond to the requirements of end-users in the most timely and cost-effective way.

How UK Space is helping to shape Africa's future

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 10 May 2006 09:10:31 +0100

SSTL attended the parliamentary reception on Africa and UK Space run by the Parliamentary Space Commission (PSC) on the 26th April. The reception highlighted the important role space has to play for African nations and the crucial role played by Britain's space community in tackling the major challenges of Africa today as the continent confronts the twin challenges of sustainable development and natural and humanitarian disasters.

The keynote speaker Professor Robert Borroffice, the Director General of the Nigerian Space Agency discussed how Nigeria is rapidly becoming the leading African nation to benefit from the use of space and Professor Borroffice will highlight progress and future plans.

SSTL have been instrumental in the development and support of Nigeria's space programme since the establishment of the Nigerian National Space Agency in 1999, which included the building and know-how transfer for Nigeria's first satellite, the NigeriaSat-1 launched in October 2003. Such cooperation is essential for space programmes in developing nations, Professor Borroffice was quoted by African news site www.thisdayonline.com, "it is impossible for a single country to go it alone."

Nigeria now hopes to progress their space programme further, with a second satellite NigeriaSat-2 to be built by SSTL with a 2.5m pan EO (Earth Observation) satellite currently under consideration.

Space was traditionally considered to be expensive and consequently, the poorest continent, Africa, was not involved in space programmes. In particular, Nigeria rejected space programmes entirely in 1976. However, in the last five years, low cost small satellites pioneered by SSTL in the UK have stimulated a series of space programmes in Africa.

These African space initiatives have resulted in great benefits to Africa with respect to space applications, capacity building and economic development. They have played an important role in international disaster monitoring and human global warming and climate change prevention efforts. They have also generated further demand for space assets, applications and services, particularly, telecommunications satellites to provide much needed infrastructure for economic development and bridging the digital divide.

Government support and the involvement of UK industry in the upcoming African Space Programme should enable a substantial return from investment in ARTES (communications payloads), MOSAIC (small satellites) and EO applications improving African lives with sustainable development.

Much focus has been given in Parliament, and in the media, of the importance of helping Africa find a sustainable way forward. British designed Earth observation instruments and satellites are monitoring the impact of Climate Change, natural resources, deforestation, crop failures and the impact of natural disasters on Africa's exposed populations. Nigeria First, the website of the Nigerian Office of Public Communications provides informaton on Nigeria's use of space technology.

Satellite-based mapping can also support aid operations so that decision makers in Africa and around the world to shape the right policies to reduce poverty or plan crops in Africa. For example, NigeriaSat-1 provides medium-resolution imagery with daily worldwide revisit for monitoring disasters.

SSTL work closely with developing nations, internationally acclaimed joint training initiatives with the University Of Surrey and Phd programmes forging strong relationships throughout the world. SSTL have pioneered technology for their satellites that reduce the cost for developing nations, whilst preserving the professionalism and project management essential to space engineering to change the economies space.

Inspirational leadership for Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. reaps rich rewards

nospam@example.com (Robin Wolstenholme) — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 09:00:00 +0000

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting heads Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), a � multi-million operation supplying advanced yet low cost micro/mini-satellite solutions to the space industry. Recognising a market requirement for affordable, fast response small spacecraft for civil and military applications, Sir Martin and his team at SSTL have reaped rich rewards by pioneering the use of �commercial-off-the-shelf� (COTS) components, exploiting the latest developments stimulated by the consumer market. With annual sales approaching �25 million and delivering a profit of around �1M, the Company has become the world�s leading micro-satellite company.

Born in 1951, Sir Martin gained BSc and PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering at the University of Surrey before forming the University spin-off company, SSTL in 1985. Inspired by the challenge of converting their space technology research into a commercial operation, Sir Martin and a handful of academic researchers established a business leading the field in applying COTS components to the design, build and launch of sophisticated nano, micro and mini-satellites.

With 25 satellites already in orbit and a 26th scheduled for the end of the year, SSTL continues to supply systems to countries across the globe, including Algeria, France, Chile, China, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Thailand, Turkey and even the USA.

Last year Sir Martin was the driving force behind the formation of DMCii, a new company co-located with SSTL, specifically to exploit the imaging data generated by the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) constellation of micro-satellites led by SSTL. The Company was formed to manage the image data from the DMC, monitoring natural and man-made disasters, such as mapping applications for displaced people, the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean Tsunami. DMCii also manages the sale of data from the DMC satellites to commercial users � the Company has just completed its first year of trading and declared a profit.

As well as supporting the logistics of disaster relief, the DMC provides independent daily imaging capability to its partner nations; Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, China and the UK. The DMC was conceived at SSTL in 1995 as an international partnership, and Sir Martin has been instrumental in maintaining a close relationship with the partner nations since then. Additionally, SSTL supplied all the 5 micro-satellites within the constellation and team training to the nations involved.

A leading authority in small satellite concepts and techniques, Sir Martin continues to stimulate research and development in his position as Director of the Surrey Space Centre (SSC). Working in conjunction with SSTL, SSC comprises a team of 50 faculty and doctoral staff, who provide a research and learning environment that is recognised for its excellence worldwide. Research at the SSC covers a wide range of space techniques, such as: solar thermal propulsion, martian helicopters, autonomous data management, novel attitude control algorithms and even satellite systems-on-a-chip.

Sir Martin has been recognised worldwide for his contribution to space technology. He is a member of several European space advisory committees and presents at many of the leading space technology forums, most recently at a Military Space Communications conference in London. In 1995 he was awarded an OBE, and in 2002 was knighted by HM Queen in the British New Year Honours for services to the small satellite industry.

Sir Martin sees applications for small satellites beyond Earth-oriented observation and communications. These will enable more affordable and frequent missions to explore the solar system planets and asteroids.

Source: SSTL Press release