Is the UK's commitment to space being watered down, or is the recent merger of the UK Space Agency (UKSA) into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) a smart move for efficiency?

Host Dallas Campbell sits down with Mark Saxon, Chief of External Affairs at the Satellite Applications Catapult, to dissect the political landscape shaping the UK space industry's future. They dive deep into the National Space Strategy, the new Industrial Strategy, and the critical importance of a "one government approach" to space policy. Mark argues for a necessary shift from R&D-led grant funding to commercially-driven growth, stressing that to create 'space unicorns,' the sector must move past talking only about technology and instead focus on powerful, benefit-driven stories for customers and investors.

This timely conversation explores the push to scale up UK businesses to £10 million in revenue and capitalises on the current momentum, which is backed by a fresh £1.5 million investment from the UK Space Agency to unlock climate and transport innovations. Discover why Mark is optimistic about the sector's trajectory and the actionable steps needed to ensure its global success.

• (00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit
• (02:06) - The Role of Marketing in UK Space
• (03:10) - Government's Role in Space
• (06:45) - UK Space Agency Merger
• (11:59) - Defense and Space
• (14:18) - ISAM and UK Launch
• (16:27) - Government's Commitment to Space Sector
• (18:26) - Overview of the Industrial Strategy
• (20:56) - Marketing Space to Investors and Companies
• (22:52) - Challenges in Scaling Up Space Companies
• (26:02) - Impact of Defense Spending on Space Sector
• (28:13) - Regulation and Its Role in Space Industry Growth
• (29:55) - Communicating the Benefits of Space Technology
• (31:13) - International Opportunities for UK Space Companies
• (31:59) - Reflections on the UK Space Industry

Mark Saxon: Chief of External Affairs at the Satellite Applications Catapult, Mark Saxon is a communications, policy, and public affairs expert with over 20 years of experience. With a PhD in genetics, he transitioned his deep technical background from the life sciences sector, including work for companies like Pfizer and Coca-Cola, to championing the growth of the UK space economy. He focuses on enabling businesses to scale, generate exports, and effectively communicate the commercial value of space data and technology.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Are we finally equipping ourselves with the right tools to tackle the climate crisis’s most potent challenge?

This bonus episode dives into the crucial role of methane, a gas whose warming potential is 80 times greater than CO2​ over a 20-year period, making it a powerful lever for immediate climate action. Host Dallas Campbell is joined by Charlotte Massey of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to explore how space technology is transforming the fight against emissions.

Charlotte explains how NPL’s measurement science (metrology) ensures the quality and traceability of satellite-derived data, making it fit for purpose for regulation and global decision-making. They discuss the vital work of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) in developing methane best practices, particularly for facility-scale emissions in the oil and gas sector. Charlotte’s perspective from the frontline of climate science offers a dose of measured optimism: understanding the problem is truly half the solution.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit
• (00:28) - Role and Responsibilities at NPL
• (00:57) - Importance of Satellites in Emission Measurement
• (01:50) - Methane: The Overlooked Greenhouse Gas
• (02:31) - Committee for Earth Observation Satellites
• (03:20) - Methane Best Practice Work
• (04:01) - International Collaboration and COP
• (04:28) - Optimism vs. Pessimism in Climate Science
• (05:21) - The Role of Measurement Science
• (06:09) - Personal Insights and Experiences at NPL

Charlotte Massey: Strategic Business Development Manager for both Greenhouse Gases and Earth Observation at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Charlotte is responsible for curating partnerships and setting the strategic direction of NPL's measurement science for greenhouse gas measurement and Earth Observation data. She focuses on delivering the essential measurement science required to ensure the accuracy, impartiality, and traceability of complex satellite data, making it a trusted resource for policymakers, regulators, and industry in addressing the climate emergency.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website
National Physical Laboratory: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Are we using every tool available to pull the emergency brake on climate change? This episode dives into the crucial role of space-based monitoring in tackling methane, a greenhouse gas that is far more potent than CO2​ and a critical target for urgent climate action.

Host Dallas Campbell is joined by Spence Seaman from the Environment Agency and Charlotte Massey from the National Physical Laboratory to explore the technological leap that is allowing regulators to pinpoint "super-emitters" from orbit.

Spence explains the Environment Agency's Methane Action Plan and the challenge of regulating fugitive emissions from sectors such as waste and agriculture. Meanwhile, Charlotte details how the NPL is providing the essential measurement science to ensure the accuracy and traceability of this complex satellite data, which is now capable of detecting leaks at the facility scale.

With new satellites, such as Carbon Mapper’s Tanager-1, offering the ability to attribute emissions with a resolution of 50 metres, the data is becoming a game-changer for regulators and policymakers seeking to turn intelligence into enforcement. This conversation is essential for understanding how better data leads to better decisions and how the commercialisation of space is creating new accountability standards globally.

• (00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit
• (00:46) - The Importance of Monitoring Methane
• (02:17) - Charlotte Massey on the National Physical Laboratory
• (03:14) - Current State of Methane Emissions
• (06:04) - Advancements in Space-Based Monitoring
• (13:16) - International Collaboration and Standards
• (17:50) - Future of Emissions Monitoring

Spence Seaman: Energy & Resources Lead for Adaptation within the Environmental Permitting Regime (EPR) and Methane Action Plan at the Environment Agency. A veteran environmental regulator, Spence leads the Agency's efforts to focus on methane emissions, driving improved performance, better data quality, and the effective use of regulatory tools like leak detection and repair (LDAR) across industrial sectors.

Charlotte Massey: Strategic Business Development Manager for both Greenhouse Gases and Earth Observation at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Charlotte is responsible for the strategic direction of NPL's measurement science, connecting the UK's core measurement infrastructure to advanced technologies like space-based monitoring to ensure data quality, scientific agreement, and international traceability.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website
Environment Agency: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Website
National Physical Laboratory: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What does it mean to "design" in the context of space? In this bonus episode, we continue our conversation with service design expert Giulia Bencini.

While most of us think of physical objects like chairs or rockets when we hear the word "design," Giulia explains how her work is about solving problems and creating better experiences for users of space data. She shares how her team works directly with users—like farmers—to understand their challenges and then translates those needs into requirements for technology developers.

This conversation explores the vital role of creativity and playfulness in the design process, from user research to interactive workshops using Lego. Join us to understand how this human-centred approach is shaping a more accessible and user-friendly future for space technology.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit
• (00:19) - Understanding Design in Space
• (01:59) - Service Design vs. User Experience Design
• (03:31) - Real-World Applications and User Research
• (06:48) - Workshops and Creative Methods
• (11:00) - The Value of Playfulness in Design

Giulia Bencini: Senior Service Designer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, where she supports the space sector in adopting a needs-driven approach to technology development. Her work involves user research, facilitating workshops, and translating user needs into technological requirements for development.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What if the key to unlocking the potential of space wasn't just in the technology itself, but in how we design it for people?

In this episode, host Dallas Campbell explores the surprising and critical world of user-centred design with experts Giulia Bencini, Vasant Chari, and Tim Dudas. They discuss how this approach goes beyond engineering, focusing on creating the right solutions for real-world problems.

The conversation highlights how listening deeply to users, from farmers to city planners, and testing ideas early can translate complex satellite data into tangible, beneficial applications on Earth.

• (00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit
• (01:38) - Understanding User-Centered Design
• (03:43) - Design Thinking in Practice
• (05:38) - Real-World Applications of User-Centered Design
• (10:20) - Exploring Nature-Based Solutions
• (12:07) - User-Centered Design in the Space Industry
• (20:29) - Challenges and Solutions at the Olympic Park
• (23:36) - Making Space Data Accessible for Farmers
• (25:41) - The Role of Design in Simplifying Complex Ideas
• (36:18) - The Future of Design and Space Applications

Vasant Chari: Director of Regional & Local Growth at the Connected Places Catapult, he applies user-centred design principles to public transport and urban environments, focusing on human factors and real-world interactions.

Tim Dudas: Co-founder of Openstead, an early-stage startup that uses a software solution to incentivise adaptation in the built environment to reduce climate risk.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website
Connected Places Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, Website
Openstead: LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Have you ever considered how space technology could revolutionise the public services you use every day?

In this bonus episode, we dive into the UK Space Agency's "Unlocking Space for Government" programme. Host Dallas Campbell and guest Gaurangi Bajpai explore the surprising ways space-based connectivity is addressing critical challenges in sectors like health and transport.

From ensuring remote GP surgeries have reliable internet to equipping ambulances with constant connectivity, this conversation reveals how space technology can solve real-world problems and drive significant innovation. We also discuss the importance of making this technology accessible and understood by the public, ensuring its widespread adoption.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit
• (00:34) - Exploring Space Technologies in Government
• (01:12) - Space Technology in Health Sector
• (02:41) - National Health Service and Space Technology
• (03:16) - Ensuring Reliable Connectivity in Healthcare
• (05:02) - Ambulance Connectivity Solutions
• (05:47) - Government Collaboration and Adoption
• (07:33) - Conclusion and Future Episodes

Gaurangi Bajpai: A senior telecom systems engineer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, Gaurangi is a key expert involved in the UK Space Agency’s “Unlocking Space for Government” programme. She provides insight into how space-based technologies are being used to tackle connectivity challenges in crucial sectors like health and transport.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Have you ever struggled to get a decent signal at a packed concert or a busy football match? You're not alone.

In this episode of In-Orbit, we delve into the world of ubiquitous connectivity and the innovative solutions being developed to solve this common problem. Host Dallas Campbell is joined by Mutasem Hamdan from Samsung Research and Gaurangi Bajpai from the Satellite Applications Catapult to discuss high-traffic enterprise spaces and the crucial role of private networks. They explore how projects like Arana are creating more reliable, efficient, and profitable connectivity for venues and local authorities.

• (00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit
• (01:39) - Understanding Connectivity
• (02:25) - Challenges in Reliable Connectivity
• (04:34) - High Traffic Enterprise Spaces
• (07:22) - Private Networks and Their Benefits
• (13:33) - Project O-RAN
• (21:19) - Satellite Resilience and Intelligent Backhaul
• (23:50) - Private Networks for Local Authorities
• (28:43) - User Feedback and Real-World Applications
• (32:39) - The Future of Connectivity and Space

The conversation also uncovers how satellite technology provides the essential resilience needed to support these new networks, ensuring seamless service and a better user experience for everyone. From live event drone deliveries to managing smart ports, discover how this technology is shaping the future.

Mutasem Hamdan: From Samsung Research, Mutasem works on AI for communication and is a key figure in addressing connectivity challenges for the future of 6G. His expertise lies in using machine learning as a tool to improve network performance.

Gaurangi Bajpai: Senior Telecom Systems Engineer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, Gaurangi focuses on ubiquitous connectivity. Her work involves integrating satellite connectivity into solutions for various industries to solve reliability problems in both standard and non-standard ways.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website
Samsung Research: LinkedIn, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Have you ever wondered how we will fix satellites in space without astronauts?

On this bonus episode of Outer Orbit, we continue the conversation with Jeremy Hadall, the Robotics Development Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult. He returns to share an exciting update on the ISAM (In-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) Facility, a unique "robot yard" designed to mimic the weightless, airless environment of space on Earth.

Dallas and Jeremy discuss the facility's recent £2 million upgrade, which includes an advanced Gravity Offload System and a new lighting system that simulates the sun's harsh glare in low Earth orbit. Learn how these new technologies are enabling the UK to become a leader in autonomous satellite servicing, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit
• (00:38) - Meet the Robots
• (01:16) - Simulating Satellite Movements
• (02:30) - Challenges in Space Operations
• (03:53) - Robotic Autonomy and Future Goals
• (04:24) - Facility Overhaul and Upgrades
• (05:10) - New Lighting and Motion Systems
• (06:05) - Gravity Offload System
• (07:44) - Collaborations and Partnerships
• (07:56) - Open for Business: How to Get Involved

Jeremy Hadall: Jeremy Hadall is the Robotics Development Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult. He is responsible for the design and development of the unique ISAM Facility, a terrestrial testing environment for in-orbit satellite servicing and assembly. His expertise focuses on using robotics to replicate the challenges of working in space.

Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.