Author: Stuart Catchpole

In partnership with the European Space Agency, Cosmonauts are proud to present SPACEtalks 5.0, a one-of-a-kind aerospace conference, taking place at ESA’s Conference Center at Harwell Campus.

The Event

With three successful editions in the books, SPACEtalks is back for 5.0.

Designed for aerospace-related industry professionals and decision-makers at aerospace, commercial organisations, start-ups, governmental agencies and academia, SPACEtalks is a one-of-a-kind space commercialisation event with insightful discussions about space R&I and current trends whilst providing the opportunity to be part of shaping the future of the industry.

What Should I Expect?

Expect to engage in thought-provoking discussions on the pressing topics in the industry, such as the latest innovations and commercialisation possibilities. The panels and presentations are designed to get the conversation started!

Who is Attending?

Expect a line-up of industry professionals from around the world – from the ESA, NASA, Defense and Security Accelerator (DASA), Ministry of Defence (MoD), and many more! SPACEtalks 5.0 is an unmissable opportunity.

What’s On:

• Meet and network with decision makers of the aerospace industry.
• Introduce your latest products & services to a carefully selected audience.
• Strengthen existing partnerships.
• Win new businesses.
• Explore the newest innovations in the last frontier.

Why This is the Right Event For You:

We think SPACEtalks 5.0 is the perfect event for you due to your interest in our publications! We believe that this event will be an incredible opportunity to engage with other experts in the Space Technology industry and explore the latest happenings in the endless quest to explore space!

For more information click here

Ready to launch your next generation of leaders? The Launchpad Programme is a comprehensive 12-month professional development journey designed specifically for mid-career professionals, delivered by Astronaut Instructor and Psychologist, Susan Charlesworth. In an industry where technical excellence meets innovation, your team members need more than just project management skills – they need the human capabilities to lead breakthrough initiatives, unite diverse teams, and navigate the unique challenges of leadership.

Through expert-led training sessions, personalised coaching, and a powerful peer network, participants develop the essential leadership skills to propel both their careers and your organisation’s mission forward. Join leading space organisations benefiting from this transformative programme, with the next cohort launching in February 2025.

Find out more here: https://charlesworthhumanperformance.com/launchpad/ or email hello@charlesworthhp.com.

About the CySpace Connected Capability Network

The domain of space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and competed as space actors, state and private enterprise, seek to reap the benefits space systems can provide. As innovation continues to broaden the capabilities of space systems, these are playing an increasing role in facilitating functions of society, economy and national security. Space is identified as part of our Critical National Infrastructure and strengthening the security of our space assets must be a priority for the sector and government to ensure our social and economic prosperity.

The CySpace Connected Capability Network aims to create a more resilient space domain by bringing together partners from across industry, academia and government within and outside the space sector to map relevant capabilities and expertise that can be leveraged to create new products and services that address our most critical vulnerabilities. This CySpace CCN is led by SpaceWest and delivered in partnership with Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Space South Central, North West Space Cluster, Space North East, Space Wales, Space East and Space Northern Ireland as well as our cyber cluster from across the UK.  The programme is funded and supported by the Satellite Applications Catapult as part of their Connected Capability programme.

Help to shape the trajectory of CySpace CCN by completing a survey about UK cyber security and space infrastructure requirements by 28/02/2025 to inform Working Group Discussions.

Here you will find the link to the survey (deadline is the 28th February 2025): https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MH_ksn3NTkql2rGM8aQVG75buxhyFORFnEkE9K4JxD5UQ0JUQUFOOTVJV1NFNUNLNEs0UlpBRkFYQi4u&route=shorturl

Suffolk-based contamination control specialists’ holistic cleanroom installation programmes boast comprehensive maintenance and decontamination aftercare packages

THE GUARDTECH GROUP are not a cleanroom construction company that ever plans to cut and run.

They haven’t become go-to providers for contamination control services simply to make a quick sale, shuffle through as many projects as possible or to build a facility and just move on.

They’re all about building something that lasts – both in terms of the controlled environments they install, but also the relationships they subsequently construct.

This is why a ‘full life cycle’ approach is at the heart of their cleanroom construction sales process.

For the Guardtech Group and their subsidiary brands – Cleanroom Solutions (turnkey), Guardtech Cleanrooms (modular), Cleancube (portable) and Isopod (rapid small-scale pods) – it’s not all about design & build, it’s about everything that comes afterwards, too.

“The Guard in Guardtech means something important,” says Commercial Director Mark Wheeler. “It’s not just a name. We feel a duty to protect the interests of our clients, their efficiency and their safety, both in terms of process and yield, long after we’ve designed and constructed their facility.

“As and when required, we’re here to validate and commission the cleanroom after it’s been installed.

“But we’re also here to offer cleanroom servicing and maintenance on an ongoing basis. We’re here to decontaminate the facility – not just post-construction, but for as often and for as long as the client needs us to.

“The Guard in Guardtech represents our desire to solidify an ever-lasting relationship with our clients, where we formally seal a bond to continue to look after their facility for its entire life cycle – this is the Guardtech way. In it together – for the long term.”

The Guardtech Group offer comprehensive Cleanroom Service Plans, usually over one, three or five-year cycles.

These wide-ranging agreements include a number of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) options, including HVAC upgrades, general repairs, filter integrity testing, gauge calibration and Environmental Monitoring System and Building Management System servicing.

Operations Co-ordinator Cassey Evans, who supports clients with their service & maintenance scheduling requirements, said: “Whether it’s HVAC maintenance, structural repairs, filter replacements or testing of separative devices like biosafety cabinets or laminar flow units, it’s essential for the successful operation of an elite-level cleanroom that ongoing maintenance is carried out. Keeping on top of all that is a burden – but we’re here to relieve that burden. We want to ensure our clients’ operations are never compromised and, ultimately, offer peace of mind.”

As well as standard cleanroom validations and post-build commissioning practices, Guardtech’s Service Team offer a wide range of testing services, including temperature, humidity, lux and noise level testing, air velocity and volumetric flow rate measurement, room differential pressure testing, particle counting, containment testing and airflow visualisation.

And beyond servicing and testing, the Group’s highly experienced Decontamination Team can provide everything from builders’ cleans and pre-validation cleans through to hydrogen peroxide fogging, bioburden testing and complex bespoke deep clean packages.

Guardtech’s decontamination programmes, which range from bi-yearly facility visits right through to weekly or daily deep cleans, have become a staple add-on for their ever-increasing base of cleanroom construction clients.

Decontamination Manager Lee Burton said: “There’s no point in building an amazing controlled environment if you’re not prepared to give it the regular TLC it needs to meet standards and perform to optimum levels.

“The Guardtech Group aftercare service is not only about taking hassle but also providing a really critical level of ongoing support to our client base.

“Whether that’s service, maintenance or decontamination, it’s all vitally important to keeping a cleanroom in the best possible condition and, even more importantly, protecting the customer’s process and product.”

For more information on the Guardtech Group’s aftercare services, call 0330 113 0303, email sales@guardtech.com or visit www.guardtechgroup.com.

Copyright, Guardtech Group

We are delighted to announce that Joeeta Murphy has joined the ip21 team as our new Head of Life Sciences and Associate Director. Joeeta’s appointment marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional intellectual property services to clients in the dynamic and innovative sectors.

Joeeta brings a wealth of experience in intellectual property law, combined with a deep understanding of the complexities faced by clients in these specialised fields. As a CIPA (Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys) Council Member and an active participant in CIPA’s Professional Development working group, Joeeta has demonstrated a passion for advancing professional standards and supporting groundbreaking innovations.

Globally recognised for her expertise, Joeeta has been listed in the prestigious IAM Strategy 300 for the second consecutive year, a testament to her exceptional ability to develop and implement strategies that maximise the value of IP portfolios. The IAM Strategy 300 identifies the best and brightest in the field through rigorous annual research, and we are thrilled to have her join our team.

Speaking about Joeeta’s appointment, Managing Director Richard Jones shared: “Joeeta is an industry-leading patent attorney whose expertise and leadership will be invaluable in growing our client base and supporting our existing clients in the life sciences and medtech sectors. We’re thrilled to have her join the team and look forward to the impact she will make as Head of Life Sciences.”

We warmly welcome Joeeta to the ip21 family and look forward to expanding the services we provide to clients in medtech, space tech, pharma, and beyond.

Look out for Joeeta at future Space East events, where she will represent ip21 and connect with innovators working at the exciting intersection of medtech and space technologies. Don’t miss the opportunity to say hello and learn how her expertise can help drive your IP strategy forward.

Stay tuned for updates as Joeeta begins her journey with us, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about how our growing team can support your intellectual property needs.

Located in the heart of Suffolk, the Roland Group stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the manufacturing sector. Comprising two specialist divisions, Roland Plastics and Electronic Terminations Ltd (ETL), the group has become synonymous with high-quality, precision-engineered products catering to a diverse range of industry needs from automotive and artistic lighting, through to military and aerospace.

Crafting Excellence: Roland Plastics

Roland Plastics, a leading division within the group, are experts in plastic injection moulding, delivering components that combine durability, precision, and aesthetic quality.

The company operates with advanced robotic injection moulding machines that offer capacities ranging from 50 to 450 tons, capable of producing intricate parts with weights from less than a gram up to 3 kilograms. This flexibility allows Roland Plastics to cater to a vast spectrum of industries, providing anything from simple components and housings to complex assemblies, products, and hard-wearing, rugged over-moulded cabling, where precision and reliability are paramount.

The division’s approach integrates product design, tool making, and final assembly & packaging, ensuring a seamless production cycle from concept to delivery.

Roland Plastics is particularly commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices by incorporating recycled materials into their production processes (where appropriate), manufacturing products with end-of-life recyclability or reusability in mind, and continually investing in energy-efficient technologies. Roland Plastics is not only meeting but setting industry standards for environmental responsibility.

And it’s not just about shaping plastic but innovating with it. The company constantly explores new materials & additives with enhanced properties, such as increased thermal stability, improved manufacturability, or greater biodegradability. This exploration allows Roland Plastics to stay ahead in markets that demand new and improved material characteristics for emerging applications.

Electrical System Development: Electronic Terminations

Electronic Terminations Ltd complements its sister company by providing specialised manufacturing services focused on full systems and electronic architecture. ETL’s expertise lies in producing robust cable assemblies, wiring harnesses and control & power distribution boxes that are essential for challenging environments such as defence, aerospace, highways, and marine applications.

ETL’s recent achievement of the JOSCAR accreditation is a testament to unwavering quality and compliance with industry-leading standards. This prestigious recognition places ETL among a select group of suppliers qualified to work with the UK’s Ministry of Defence and other notable defence and aerospace entities.

Leading Through Innovation

Innovation is at the core of the Roland Group’s operations. By investing in the latest manufacturing technologies and continually updating their production capabilities, the group ensures that it remains at the forefront of the manufacturing industry. This commitment to innovation extends to its workforce, with ongoing training and development programs to keep skills sharp and ideas fresh.

What also sets the Roland Group apart is its synergistic approach, leveraging the strengths of both divisions to offer comprehensive solutions for even the most complex projects. This collaboration enables the group to undertake projects that require both plastic and electronic components, providing clients with a unified manufacturing solution under one roof.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the Roland Group is focused on expanding its reach and enhancing its service offerings. The group is actively exploring new markets and applications for its technologies, driven by a vision to make a significant impact on the manufacturing landscape, not just in Suffolk, but globally.

Get in Touch

To learn more about the Roland Group and its divisions, or to discuss a potential project, visit the Roland Group’s website or reach out to their expert team. Discover how your project can benefit from their comprehensive and integrated manufacturing services.
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The Roland Group is also excited to announce they will be hosting a networking event for Space East members and partners this May. Join us for a morning of engaging discussions on Product Design & Design for Manufacture, as we explore future opportunities in the manufacturing sector together. Further details will be available soon.

Introduction: In a recent report by The Guardian, it was revealed that work-life balance now ranks higher than salary for many employees. Even more striking, 83% of workers expressed a strong desire for a sense of community in their workplace, with 55% saying they’d quit their job without it. As business leaders continue to push for employees to return to the office, one thing is clear: the traditional “office-first” model may no longer be the best solution for fostering engagement and productivity.

So whether you’re working in hybrid or remote teams – or even in space…The need for a sense of community, trust, and connection has never been more important. So, how can managers rise to the challenge of creating meaningful engagement, particularly when they might not have formal training in managing remote teams? Enter YakBit, a revolutionary AI-powered tool that is reshaping how businesses improve team engagement and participation in virtual meetings.

The Remote Work Dilemma: As the future of work continues to evolve, many organisations are realising that simply asking employees to return to the office isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Remote and hybrid work models have proven to be just as effective (if not more so) in driving productivity—but they come with their own set of challenges.

Managers are under more pressure than ever to ensure that their teams stay engaged, feel valued, and remain connected, even when working from different locations. The unfortunate reality, however, is that many managers have not received formal training in managing remote teams, leading to disengaged employees, miscommunications, and sometimes even burnout.

YakBit’s Role in Revolutionising Team Engagement: This is where YakBit steps in.

Unlike traditional productivity tools that focus on mundane tasks like taking meeting notes or creating to-do lists, YakBit offers something far more powerful: actionable insights into team dynamics. YakBit uses advanced AI technology to analyse online meetings in real-time, providing meeting leaders with in-depth data on how engaged team members are, who’s contributing, and where conversations might be going off track.

The tool also offers coaching and language analysis to help managers become better facilitators—ensuring every voice is heard, every participant is engaged, and no one is left behind. By offering this level of feedback, YakBit helps managers identify potential issues and adjust their approach to foster more inclusive, productive, and collaborative meetings.

Why Traditional Management Tools Fall Short: Many AI tools out there focus on basic administrative tasks—like scheduling, note-taking, or task tracking—but they don’t address the deeper issue of human connection. YakBit, however, goes beyond simple productivity tracking. By honing in on the subtleties of team interactions—such as engagement levels and contribution patterns—it gives managers the data they need to improve team cohesion and participation in a way that most tools don’t.

In essence, YakBit helps managers understand what’s really happening in their meetings, so they can make real-time adjustments to improve engagement, foster inclusivity, and boost overall team morale.

The Pilot Trials: A Step Toward More Engaged Teams Thanks to its innovative approach, YakBit has earned recognition from Innovate UK, which recently awarded the company a grant for its potential impact on team management and productivity. Currently undergoing pilot trials with 10 companies across the region, YakBit is proving its value in the real world.

For managers struggling to keep remote or hybrid teams engaged, YakBit offers a much-needed solution—one that not only improves team participation but also enhances overall meeting effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

Conclusion: If you’re looking to take your remote or hybrid team’s productivity and engagement to the next level, consider integrating YakBit into your management strategy. It’s time to rethink how we lead our teams, embrace technology that fosters real connection, and build a workplace culture where everyone feels heard and valued—no matter where they’re working from.

To learn more about how YakBit can help improve your team’s engagement and participation, get in touch today!

mj@yakbit.ai

https://yakbit.ai/

In preparation for a Communications & Engagement campaign around the launch of Biomass (due April 11^th onwards) Space4Climate is looking for UK-based organisations/people who anticipate using the data it will provide.

Explaining the impact of Biomass’s data is an important part of the story that the campaign will tell. If you think you will use data from Biomass, please email Sally Stevens, s.stevens@reading.ac.uk with one or two sentences outlining what you hope to do and the difference it could make, with your contact details and your job title.

Image Source: Space4Climate

We have an exciting opportunity to take a small cohort of start-ups and SMEs who are interested in Space to visit Airbus Defence and Space, Stevenage  on Thursday 27^th February. This interactive event will enable companies to learn more about Airbus and working with a Space Prime in the UK as well as accessing advice on the growing your business in the space sector. In addition, successful applicants will be able to showcase their business through a marketplace lunch session and one-minute pitch activity. The cohort will consist of companies from the Space East, Space South Central and Midlands Space Cluster, allowing for greater networking across the regional UK space eco-system. Only one participant per SME may attend.

Spaces are extremely limited so a down-selection process will take place with Space East and Airbus. Please only apply if you are definitely available to attend on February 27th.  Deadline for applications is 5pm Friday January 17^th. Please contact Stuart if you would like further information stuart@spaceeast.co.uk

Register interest via the link https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7GqcEEZQlUqPPIT2O6GK9KNQUfqEoRVFm4vFZvXmaXBUNDRURTMyWEJGRERXSTAxQVQ3VkFMMlpMUC4u

Image Copyright NASA

A £4.2 million space research facility, set to become the UK’s largest optical research test range, will be built at BT’s Adastral Park in Martlesham. The ground breaking project will put Suffolk at the forefront of space-to-ground communications research.

Why it matters: The facility will be the first of its kind in the East of England, creating new opportunities for space research and potentially attracting international investment to the region.

The big picture: The University of Suffolk is leading this collaborative project, working alongside Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, the University of Glasgow, BT, and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. The project also has backing from Space East and Suffolk County Council.

How it works: The facility will focus on optical communication – using light to carry information between space and ground – and will include:

• A research test range for space-to-ground optical research
• Training facilities for future engineers
• “Plug and play” access for UK and international teams
• Quantum optical ground stations paired with the existing Quantum Communication Hub Optical Ground Station (HOGS) in Edinburgh

What they’re saying:

• Professor Darryl Newport, University of Suffolk: “The optical research lab will enable us to better understand the potential and capabilities of the optical communication channel between earth and satellite.”
• Stuart Catchpole, Space East: “It will deliver growth of space sector expertise in the region, skills development, acting as a catalyst for new space sector businesses and engagement locally, nationally and internationally.”
• Craig Brown, UK Space Agency: “The establishment of the UK’s largest optical research test range marks a significant milestone in advancing our capabilities as a space nation.”
• Stefan Lespezeanu, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies: “Building a ground station that is capable of optical quantum communication with satellites is key to validating and deploying quantum communications technology in the UK and the rest of the world.”

By the numbers:

• £4.2 million total investment
• Part of over £45 million in public investment for the UK space sector
• Additional £38 million in private investment secured to date

The bottom line: The project represents a major boost for Suffolk’s technology sector, positioning the region as a key player in the UK’s growing space industry while providing crucial training opportunities for future engineers.

There is still time to apply for Growth Through Innovation (GTI) funding and you can now obtain free advisor support with your application from Stuart Turner at Hethel Innovation.

The close date for businesses to apply and complete projects has been extended to June 2025 – six months longer than originally.

The fund is open to businesses based in Norfolk (and Suffolk) who have a project which involves genuine ‘innovation’.  The fund can cover up to 45% of eligible costs up to £25k. Projects can include –

• Cost of designing, building, and testing prototypes of new or better products
• Investing in external specialist knowledge to improve products, services, processes
• Investment in R&D testing equipment
• Novel or innovative digital technologies to become more efficient and productive
• Patenting your ideas or inventions

Visit the Growth Through Innovation fund pages here for more info, where you can register, and/or and contact Stuart Turner in the Hethel  Innovation Team to discuss your plans

Suffolk contamination control experts looking to add Best Enterprising Business prize to epic 2024 awards haul at glitzy Wembley Stadium showpiece on 6 December

THE GUARDTECH GROUP are gearing up to cap a golden year of awards success with their final event of the year – the SME National Business Awards.

The Haverhill contamination control experts are up for the Best Enterprising Business Award at the 6 December showpiece after winning the same prize at the SME Cambridgeshire regional chapter in September.

It would set the seal on an epic year of awards glory for Guardtech, who also claimed the Innovation Award at the National Building & Construction Awards, the Bury Free Press’ West Suffolk Innovation Award and a Silver Award for Family Business of the Year at the SME Cambridgeshire event.

The Group were also finalists in the Life Science Innovation category at the prestigious Business Weekly Awards, as well as being shortlisted for Marketing Team of the Year at the London Construction Awards and Innovation of the Year at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards.

“It’s been an incredible year for us,” said Guardtech Group Marketing Manager Joe Shackley. “Not just for the awards we’ve won, but for all the finals we’ve made collectively.

“It’s a fantastic reflection of the hard work, innovation and constant striving towards excellence that all our teams show every day across all our brands.”

The Group offer a holistic ‘total cleanroom package’, covering everything from large-scale traditional turnkey projects with their Cleanroom Solutions brad to more modest modulars with their Guardtech Cleanrooms legacy company.

For clients who require smaller pod systems, the Group deploy their Isopod Rapid Cleanrooms, while their Cleancube Mobile Cleanrooms business offers a range of portable shipping container facilities.

Alongside their cleanroom service & maintenance contracts and decontamination packages, the Group also cover all their clients’ cleanroom furniture & equipment needs through Guardware Cleanroom Hardware.

“Whatever the cleanroom need, we have the solution,” adds Shackley. “Many of our award wins, and indeed nominations, have centred around Cleancube this year. Our large-scale Multi and Maxi systems are proving immensely popular for a wide spectrum of Life Science and High-Tech Engineering applications, with NHS Trusts right at the heart of that.

“Both Cleancube and Isopod offer innovative, rapid, plug-and-play solutions that are constructed off-site and can circumvent restrictions on host buildings – and that has clearly resonated with both clients and judging panels this year.

“But our success really is spread across all the divisions – it’s a truly collaborative and collective effort throughout the Group and this final event of the year, at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, is another great opportunity to shout about our talented and committed Guardtech family.”

For more information on the Guardtech Group, call 0330 113 0303, email sales@guardtech.com or visit www.guardtechgroup.com.
Copyright – Guardtech