Photonics for Space: Special Interest Group

At this meeting Barbara Richardson, Technology Roadmapping Lead at UK Space Agency, and ESA Technology Harmonisation Delegate will provide us with an overview of the European Space Agency Harmonisation process, the upcoming harmonisation topics and how people can engage to help get input via Barbara and UKSA into the process.

We shall hear from Scottish Development International to learn how organisations can engage better with SDI, and details of upcoming opportunities and events, etc. Also a debrief from the space meeting in Copenhagen which is taking place on 20th March will be provided.

Also, we shall have a short session to discuss opportunities for the Photonics for Space SIG at this year’s SPIE Sensing and Imaging which is taking place in Edinburgh in September.

Background: Photonics in the space sector

For over a century, Scotland has been at the cutting edge of photonics innovation. With over 60 companies at the heart of the Scottish photonics cluster, this ‘invisible technology’ underpins a vast range of vertical markets. One of these markets, and a currently growing sector for Scotland, is space.

Almost one fifth of all UK jobs in the space sector are based in Scotland. Scotland produces more small satellites than any other country in Europe, and aims to be the first country in Europe to provide a complete solution for the manufacture and launch of small satellites, supporting satellite and environmental data analysis and critical earth observation.

Technology Scotland in partnership with the Higgs Centre for Innovation, is currently exploring ways to further highlight the role of photonics in the space sector, with particular emphasis on supporting members to realise potential opportunities, removing some of the stigmas surrounding barriers to the space sector, signposting towards relevant funding and nurturing a community to help build an ecosystem for the space sector within Scotland.