Space industry lift off

A Europe-wide plan for a network of global positioning satellites, the Galileo programme, appears to be exceeding expectations.

Work done by UK companies has generated a renewed confidence in the nation’s space industry.

The £2.3 billion Galileo project is Europe’s first entry into civilian-owned global positioning systems (GPS).

The aim is to rival the USA’s GPS network with 30 fully-functioning satellites by 2010.

Mission accomplished - almost

A test satellite, GIOVE-A, was built by the UK’s Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and launched on 28 December 2005.

It has just started beaming back data to the Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire.

A second satellite, GIOVE-B, was ready for launch in April in case of problems but the data from GIOVE-A was so extensive that the back-up launch was unnecessary.

“GIOVE-A is our largest and most complex satellite to date,” says Professor Martin Sweeting, chief executive of SSTL.

GIOVE-A took 30 months to build, and SSTL will operate it over the next two years.

“It was a milestone,” Sweeting says.

The Galileo project, run by the European Union and European Space Agency (ESA), has suffered delays, so news that the tests are going well is a welcome relief.

Higher expectations

Engineers at the UK company EADS Astrium will be hoping to repeat the success when their larger GIOVE-B satellite flies later this year.

The GIOVE-B contract was awarded to Galileo Industries, a consortium that includes EADS Astrium, Alcatel and Alenia.

Astrium developed the fuel system for Mars Express, and the propulsion system for Venus Express.

Now Astrium is integrating the systems on GIOVE-B, including its atomic clocks.

Richard Mackie, the British National Space Centre’s head of satellites and telecommunications, emphasises the benefits of participating in Galileo:

“Clearly involvement in Galileo is important, as it will help to position the companies in competing for future contracts as the system is built, deployed and operated.”

On a growth path

An independent survey, commissioned by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and published in March, underlines why the industry is feeling positive.

The report found that the UK space industry’s turnover increased from £4.1 billion in 2002 to 2003 to £4.8 billion in 2004 to 2005.

And the number of people working in the industry was 16,200 last year, a 3 per cent rise on the year before.

About 57 per cent of these employees have at least a first degree.

Importantly, the report found that 70 per cent of companies expect even more growth in business over the next two years.

Colin Paynter, managing director of EADS Astrium, is not surprised:

“Britain is fast becoming a space-driven economy – a jewel in our hi-tech economy.”

Everyone benefits

The UK space business is part of a wider aerospace industry that includes BAE Systems, Thales UK and Airbus UK.

All companies should benefit from the renewed interest in the space industry.

But one of the biggest impacts could be to inspire the next generation of space engineers.

SSTL was a spin-off company from the University of Surrey, whose vice chancellor, Professor Chris Snowden, says, “Galileo is an international stage that will encourage engineers to pursue this type of career.”

Possible reward

That stage could be even bigger if Cardiff becomes home for the Galileo Supervisory Authority (GSA), the body that will oversee the whole project.

Cardiff is the UK’s official nominee for the GSA, although it is up against several European cities.

But winning the GSA is seen as a deserved reward for the UK’s contribution to Galileo so far.