The document proposes establishing a Satellite Applications Catapult Centre to drive innovation in satellite technology and applications. Satellites can provide global communications, broadcasting, positioning and observation. The centre would provide end-to-end capabilities to help ideas commercialize, link existing space companies with new players, and prototype new applications like mobile communications and environmental monitoring to generate economic growth. It recommends establishing the centre to help overcome challenges of commercializing research and industrializing innovations in satellite technologies.

1. Satellite Applications Catapult Centre
Governing Board review 8 December 2011
Michael Lawrence
Head of Special Projects

2. New name, clearer vision
Satellite Applications Catapult:
‘generating growth across the economy
through new satellite enabled business’
Satellites have a unique global reach;
• Communications
• Broadcasting
• Positioning
• Observation
Out of scope ‐ Space science, Space exploration, Manned space flight,
Expendable rocket launchers, Astronomy

3. Stakeholder engagement summary
• Built on the relationships established by the Space Innovation and
Growth Team and the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC)
• Well organised and inclusive industry response
– Ukspace Trade Association + Intellect + BARSC
• Connections being made outside Space sector
– e.g. IBM, Google, BMT, Willis Re, SGI, TISICS, Reliance Precision
• Strong alignment with new public sector landscape
– Space Leadership Council
– UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Met Office, NPL, DSTL
– Commercially focused University research activity e.g. Surrey, Reading, Nottingham etc.
• Good response to open engagement process
– Space KTN Special Interest Group on _connect (1200 members, 63 in TIC group)
– Orientation workshop (84 attendees)
– Surveys – industry (80 responses), university Business Development (12 responses)
– Conference sessions at UK Space Conf, Earth Observation Conf, Venturefest
– Specialist workshops – Propulsion, MEMS, Entrepreneurs in Space (Innovate 11)

4. Broad industry engagement Established Space companies
Large multi-sector companies
Niche Space companies
New ventures
SME’s looking to grow in the Space sector
Non space organisations
4

5. Market size forecast ‐ 2020
Satellite build and satellite services
£125 – 190 bn
‘Space can increasingly be seen as an important
potential source of economic growth, social
wellbeing and sustainable development’
OECD The Space Economy at a Glance 2011

6. The challenge – twin valleys of death
ces Sustained
se rvi Services &
ple
i & Application
ult ions
M at Market
Orbital & c
Ground pli
ap
Infrastructure
es ign
ch, d
e ar
res
ie d
Appl
Failure to
Commercialise
Basic
Research, Failure to
Ideas Industrialise
Research

7. Driving Innovation
SatApps Catapult provides end-to-end
capability, with access available to all
Data Data
Data
Satellite Satellite Data Exploitation
Satellite Satellite Downlink & Exploitation
technology Operations Downlink & &
technology Operations &
Processing
Processing Application
Application
Benefits: Risk reduction
Shorter time to market
Capability demonstrations for new customers
SME access and connections to new players

8. Technology Demonstration
‐ in orbit
TechDemoSat
Payload
Low cost Satellite Management /
Planning System TM / TC
Link
Operations Centre
Payload Data
Product Archive
Payload
Downlink
TM / TC
Link Payload
Downlink
Mission
Payload Control Centre
Manager
Payload
Operations
Engineer
SSTL, Guildford
Spacecraft
Operations
Engineer Spacecraft
Prototype Applications TM / TC Archive Control System
and Services
– on the ground

9. Summary
A Sat Apps Catapult will ;
• Provide the end to end infrastructure required to link
innovative ideas from existing players and new
collaborators from outside the Space sector
• Prototype and demonstrate new applications
– e.g. Mobile communications, Maritime safety, Air Traffic
Management, Climate and Environmental Services,
Natural resource management
Recommendation
To establish a Catapult centre in Satellite Applications