Strengths

Scottish Space companies are highly proactive to customer need and are working together to pool expertise to deliver novel and effective Space products and systems.

Scotland's key strengths in the space industry

  • CubeSat platform design and development
  • SpaceWire data communication
  • Miniaturisation of spacecraft systems
  • MEMS gyros for spacecraft attitude control
  • Human/machine autonomous decision making
  • Space-borne instruments
  • Thermal space batteries
  • Signal processing

Scotland's notable achievements in the space industry

  • ClydeSpace and University of Strathclyde acting as lead partners on the UK Space Agency’s UKube-1 mission, to design and manufacture the satellite
  • UK Astronomy Technology Centre designing and testing the Mid Infra Red Imager for the NASA ESA James Webb Space telescope
  • Star-Dundee/University of Dundee developing the SpaceWire on board data communications language
  • TRAK Microwave and MESL Microwave components and systems used on multiple space missions in Europe and the USA
  • Raytheon Systems developing highly efficient DC/DC power convertors for the International Space Station
  • University of Glasgow developing laser equipment on behalf of the European Space Agency’s high profile LISA Pathfinder mission.Skills and expertise

High-quality support infrastructure

  • The sector comprises some of the world’s largest aerospace companies as well as smaller, fast-moving, and home-grown service providers
  • The developing space sector is underpinned by the mature and innovative Scottish aerospace industry
  • A supportive administration includes the provision of grants to drive research and commercial development

Collaboration

  • Strong ties between companies working across a range of specialised fields and links to talented and active research groups
  • A burgeoning reputation in space science creates further opportunities for the supply chain in Scotland

Cost-competitive

  • Extremely competitive running costs including salary rates
  • Scottish companies can take advantage of cost reduction in satellite technology.
  • Highly competitive costs for cutting-edge facilities