Emerging Technology

From our Space Energy Initiative launched to huge acclaim at the House of Commons to major media interest in our work, the Catapult is playing a vital role in growing the UK’s reputation for ambitious sustainable energy policy.

Critical Independence

The Catapult was appointed by OneWeb on a major R&D project developing a PNT (Position Navigation Timing) system to make the UK independent in this critical technology. PNT information underpins transport, communications, energy distribution and emergency response. We have successfully demonstrated an effective timing service to key partners including National Physical Laboratory, Ordnance Survey and QinetiQ. This is a substantial achievement aligned with UK Government’s ambition to have an alternative resilient PNT system. We are now working with OneWeb to turn this proof of concept into an operational timing service. We are also exploring the development of a standalone LEO PNT receiver able to use any LEO/MEO constellation, therefore widening the appeal of the service.

Space Energy

Thanks to the Catapult, Government interest is escalating in the potential of space to deliver clean energy technology to help the UK achieve net zero. BEIS, UKSA and DIT are an integral part of the Space Energy Initiative (SEI) that we established and now co-chair. Our SEI launch at the House of Commons in March dramatically accelerated progress, with 120 invited guests from the energy, space and finance sectors. Speakers included the Minister for Science and Innovation and the UN Habitat executive director. Membership of the SEI has grown to 42 organisations with a spirit of collaboration and purpose that has impressed ministers. We have an exceptionally capable and experienced Advisory Board, chaired by Mark Garnier MP. Our aim is to see the first operational system deliver 2GW of Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) into the grid by 2040. Growing interest has resulted in interviews with the Financial Times, Telegraph, Express and BBC World News. The Catapult has therefore played a central role in signalling the UK as an ambitious thought leader in sustainable energy and using space for societal benefit.

Microgravity

We have won our first funded work for microgravity, supporting SpaceForge in determining potential new market and product opportunities. We are progressing with community-building workshops bringing together business and academia for microgravity commercialisation, and have pulled together a very exciting international consortium including the HVM Catapult, DLR in Germany and AIMPLAS in Spain to address advanced materials. Our Microgravity Working Group attracted more than 20 people from 12 organisations to its first meeting.