Author: Stuart Catchpole

Hertfordshire Futures and the University of Hertfordshire join Space East to help further strengthen the region’s credentials in the global space sector.

The announcement was made today, Tuesday 26 November, at Airbus Defence and Space’s UK headquarters in Stevenage as it marked the first year of Community for Space Prosperity, known as CUSP. The industry initiative fosters collaboration across the space ecosystem to connect, inspire and grow the UK’s £18.9bn space sector.

More than 40 different organisations gathered to celebrate and recognise CUSP’s impact in 2024 and hear from the cohort of nine start-up / SME companies who have recently completed the 14-week Airbus Space Accelerator programme.

Space East is the UK’s newest space cluster and brings together leaders from across industry, research and Government in the East of England to develop and champion exciting new opportunities in space technology and unlock the potential for further commercial development. The region is the 3^rd largest in the UK in terms of income generated from space related activities and it possesses world-class strengths across a range of converging sectors, including the manufacture of satellites, probes, space-craft and rovers.

Hertfordshire Futures and the University of Hertfordshire are the latest organisations to join the Space East cluster to help share knowledge, expertise and capabilities. Hertfordshire already has a strong foothold in Space East’s regional map. Research carried out by Hertfordshire Futures, has identified around 60  companies operating in the manufacturing supply chain within a thirty mile radius of Stevenage.  This includes Airbus; Hempsell Astronautics; Calnex Solutions; MBDA; MDA Space and Parker Meggitt, alongside other businesses, research and academic institutions across the East of England.

The University of Hertfordshire has strong links with space and STEM covering everything from space law to ethics. Its School of Physics, Engineering, & Computer Science (SPECS) recently benefited from a £100m investment in Spectra, its new STEM building, that opened to students in September.

Within Spectra academics have worked on range of space-related fields including communications research with the European Space Agency and data analysis tools to support Low Earth Orbit observation for crop and environment sustainability. It has also worked closely with local industry to develop a pipeline of talent into aerospace programmes.

Hertfordshire Futures also has a long track record of supporting advanced manufacturing and STEM development. The STEM Discovery Centre, received £1m funding from Hertfordshire Futures, in a joint partnership with Airbus and North Herts College. Its Generation careers events and extensive community outreach enable young people to find out about career pathways into a range of industries including space.

Professor Mairi Watson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire, said: “Joining Space East, alongside Hertfordshire Futures and our longstanding partners in the space sector, is our way to demonstrate our long term commitment to the underlying education and research that will support growth in this region and ensure that Hertfordshire continues to be recognised for the innovation and excellence of its space related activity.”

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire Futures, said: “We were delighted to be here to celebrate the first anniversary of Airbus’s CUSP programme. Together with the University of Hertfordshire and other space partners we look forward to playing a full and active part in the development of the wider space community in the East of England and build on its potential to maximise the global opportunities arising from space. The possibilities are infinite!”

Stuart Catchpole, Cluster Manager, Space East said: “We are excited to welcome Hertfordshire Futures and the University of Hertfordshire to the Space East community, joining existing members Airbus. The region is home to an exciting array of upstream and downstream innovation, activity and technologies. This commitment further cements the strength of the regional space offering as we develop a new East of England Space strategy that unlocks opportunities in the sector and delivers growth for the region.”

Article by Human Cusp, image Peter Scott

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the world, we see numerous opportunities arising for its use in the space sector, and great potential for AI-knowledgeable engineers, entrepreneurs, and others to gain competitive advantages.

In earlier forms, AI has been used in space for decades, from image processing to signal analysis to processing data from experiments conducted in orbit. In the 1990s, artificial neural networks were used[1] to learn how to classify land coverage in Earth observation imagery, software developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where I spent many years. More recently, JPL has pioneered the development of autonomous robots for planetary exploration, such as the NeBula (Networked Belief-aware Perceptual Autonomy) system[2] for teams of robots exploring unknown environments under extreme conditions.

While generative AI has captured the popular imagination, the use of predictive AI based on more traditional machine learning (if anything evolving that fast could be called ‘traditional’) is where we look for the most easily quantifiable returns on investment. Optimizing signal routing and bandwidth allocation in satellite telecommunication paths, for instance. Genetic algorithms for material design simulations, and robotic experimentation. In medicine, drug discovery traditionally takes on the order of years but AI is reducing that to days.[3]

Power management in space systems is usually a limiting factor due to the size of energy storage units and solar power collectors. AI can help optimize power consumption through studying usage patterns. A similar approach allowed Google to reduce its data center cooling costs in 2016 using AI.[4]

In infrastructure, we should not forget cybersecurity. We can no longer afford to protect our networks with exclusively human-curated firewall rules when those networks are under attack by bad actors using AI, and vendors such as Palo Alto now recognize the need for AI defense. However, the recent CrowdStrike incident,[5] affecting millions of machines and crippling airlines, hospitals, and banks, highlights the need for human diligence. More haste, less speed.

And of course, AI-accelerated software development changes everything touched by code. Within two years it has become unacceptable to develop code without using generative AI such as Github CoPilot.

The global efflorescence of AI brings its own challenges, of course, such as an acute shortage of experienced AI engineers. Our educational institutions must get out of old pedagogical models and recognize that AI can now supplant functions that teachers have usually taken on, such as marking papers. Degree programs need to be adapted to a world that being reshaped by AI and train engineers and scientists for where that world will be tomorrow, not yesterday. Those changes are not confined to technology but also mean that the economics of future jobs and the affordability of housing, for instance, are likely to change in unpredictable ways that urgently require considered investigation. Schools are still trying to work out the balance between teaching skills that AI can now perform because they grow valuable neural pathways in students, and deciding what tasks can safely be left for AI. Many schools are unable to adapt fast enough to these changes, and will fail.

The explosion of large language models (LLMs) provides particularly important horizontal benefits for technology businesses. Seamless and near-perfect translations speed up international agency cooperation, and documents can be translated between different formats easily. Image recognition can be used to accelerate assembly and repair, particularly if combined with augmented reality (AR) input devices.

The UK faces challenges when competing with the two largest players in AI, the US and China, which can outspend other countries. London-based Tortoise Media’s Global AI Index[1] puts the UK in fourth place, behind Singapore and ahead of France, scoring countries on a huge range of metrics. The availability of enormous data centre resources is a powerful attractor for top talent. UK companies – with the obvious exception of DeepMind – should not attempt to compete on raw model size but instead explore the countless niches of unique combinations of skills. Regulation has yet to catch up – the UK is not bound by the European Union’s AI Act, of course – and this is a time when there are equal parts uncertainty and opportunity for risk takers to leverage the volatile environment. I would particularly encourage maximizing ties with the UK’s superlative universities to create seamless partnerships connecting talent with need.

To conclude, the AI revolution spans every expression of human endeavour, because it models and emulates principles of human cognition and creativity. So there are opportunities for enterprising individuals outside science and engineering to exploit AI in applications ranging from education to human resources, marketing to accounting. The limits are chiefly imposed by our imaginations.

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Peter Scott helps people master technological disruption. After receiving a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Cambridge University, he moved to California to work for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and now works with schools to help them pivot their curricula and teaching methods. Through proprietary frameworks and group facilitation he empowers them to adapt to and leverage AI.

Peter has keynoted around the world. His third TEDx talk, on why AI might need to have empathy, was released in July 2023.

His weekly podcast, “Artificial Intelligence and You” tackles three questions: What is AI? Why will it affect you? How do you and your business survive and thrive through the AI Revolution? In July 2022, his second book, also called “Artificial Intelligence and You,” was released.

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/009830049090009I

[2] https://www-robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/what-we-do/research-tasks/nebula-autonomy/

[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/d43747-023-00029-9.pdf

[4] https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/deepmind-ai-reduces-google-data-centre-cooling-bill-by-40/

[5] https://www.fastcompany.com/91160759/crowdstrike-data-gdpr

[6] https://www.tortoisemedia.com/intelligence/global-ai/

Space East are delighted to be supporting the CySpace Connected Capability Network.

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 Consulting, 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.

Given the critical nature of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capability for our continued access and operation in space, the CySpace CCN will first focus on cyber security considerations for SDA.  The programme will drive a deeper understanding of the threat landscape, map capability and understand where UK efforts and resources should be deployed to develop more resilient capability. As our network builds, we anticipate that follow on programmes will focus on cyber considerations for other space capabilities.

The UK is at the forefront of cybersecurity research and innovation and this is both a national economic and strategic asset. The CySpace programme will build new networks between space and cyber communities from across the UK that will foster new collaborations to generate more trustworthy products and services which will both strengthen UK resilience but deliver economic growth through export opportunities.

The two year programme will be broken down into four phases and will require engagement with industry, academia and government. The programme will work with cluster partners to deliver events and workshops to engage with communities from across the UK across all four phases. Since the launch of the programme we have received a lot of interest and enquiries and we want to ensure that we can manage this effectively. If you would like to register your interest in getting involved in the programme either by attending workshops, joining working groups, attending meetings or simply keeping abreast of what is going on please complete our form and as we start the delivery phase in Q4 this year we can ensure that opportunities for engagement can be communicated.

The East of England is one of the UK’s largest offshore renewable energy hubs. The region has an established supply chain providing products and services to the sector, but a support need has been identified to increase visibility of market needs and provide specialist innovation support to enable growth.

Connect is a six month innovation derisking project where companies will have the opportunity to engage in a series of training workshops, pitch sessions and bespoke support to deliver technical advice and commercial support. The purpose of Connect is to enable supply chain companies to derisk their innovation through increasing their understanding of market needs and collaboration across the supply chain.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult delivers the programme and jointly funds it with global renewable energy company Equinor and leading wind energy group developer ScottishPower Renewables, as well as with Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council. You can find out more about the project here East of England Connect – Supply Chain Innovation Derisking Project

Support on offer includes:

• A virtual sector briefing to summarise innovation challenge areas and 2 workshops to focus on key market areas of need defined by the programme industrial partners and explore research gaps and opportunities.

Benefits of engagement:

• Confidence in market pull factors to develop products and services.
• The support is open to academia, start-ups and established companies to stimulate cross supply chain collaboration.

In addition to this, participants will be provided with an overview of a typical offshore wind farm. The knowledge gained from completing this module will allow the participants to build a picture of where their product or service fits into the offshore wind Industry. Training is open to all and delivered as part of the ‘Connect’ business support catalyst project.

Should you be interested in attending a training session, two links have been provided below for a training session in Harwich and Norwich. Kindly register your interest via the links below:

Offshore Wind Market Access Training – Harwich Tickets, Tue 14 Jan 2025 at 12:30 | Eventbrite

Offshore Wind Market Access Training – Norwich Tickets, Wed 15 Jan 2025 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

Disclaimer: Registering your interest for this event does not automatically secure you a place on the training session, as numbers are limited. Communications will be issued in due course to those who are successful in securing a place.

We are excited to introduce the North Star Service, a new high-growth support initiative by Suffolk County Council, in partnership with MENTA and funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). This exclusive program is designed to empower Suffolk’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with strategic guidance, funding support, and expert insights to drive sustainable growth.

With just 100 places available, the North Star Service will offer selected businesses a comprehensive pathway to growth, including tailored business reviews, funding diagnostics, and hands-on support with grant applications.

All advisers delivering this service are SFEDI-qualified, ensuring high standards of expertise and professionalism.

We are reaching out to our key stakeholders and partners to help raise awareness of this unique opportunity and encourage applications from eligible businesses.

Program Benefits for Businesses

The North Star Service is structured to offer valuable support for high-growth potential SMEs, including:

• Growth Journey Assessment – Personalized reviews to evaluate each business’s unique growth stage and needs.
• Comprehensive Business Review – Third-party evaluations providing actionable insights and growth recommendations.
• Targeted Support Referrals – Referrals to resources aligned with each business’s growth objectives.
• Grants Diagnostic – A tailored tool to identify publicly funded grants best suited to each business.
• Technical Readiness Diagnostic – For businesses focused on innovation, this tool assesses readiness to strengthen funding applications.
• Grant Application Writing Support – Expert assistance to maximize the chances of securing essential funding.

 Eligibility Criteria

Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:

• Located in Suffolk
• Minimum of one year trading
• Fewer than 250 employees
• At least 3 employees, including owners
• Clear growth ambition and a commitment to scaling up

Contact Information

For more details or to discuss partnership opportunities, please feel free to reach out to:

Robert Turnbull
High Growth Adviser
📞 Tel: 07467 148472
📧 Email: robert.turnbull@suffolk.gov.uk

Technology that removes errors from CNC manufacturing processes to create right-first-time parts is seeing a surge in demand within the space industry for manufacturers producing components for rockets, satellites and launch equipment.

The growth of the Space industry is staggering and is currently projected to be worth an estimated $1.8 trillion by 2035. However, behind the scenes, manufacturers are struggling to manufacture complex parts correctly, keep up with supply chain demands or adapt their current processes to win space contracts.

It is in these areas that CNC metrology expert, MSP, has seen an increased demand from companies well-established in the industry or start-ups wanting to manufacture space components. MSP’s proven solution was developed in and for the aerospace industry before also finding success in F1. The technology can create the ‘perfect part’ by removing calibration errors from probe, machine and alignment setup autonomously to achieve the perfect finished part.

Currently there are no other metrology solutions offering this end-to-end automation for the manufacturing industry, making their solution unique. MSP’s products offer proactive solutions to adapt existing manufacturing methods to the match the demands of the space manufacturing industry and it is because of this that has seen their popularity rise in the sector.

Manufacturers benefitting from this success include autonomous factory firm, Hadrian, based in California, and orbital launch services provider, Orbex, based in Scotland.

Aidan Wigham, Technical Account Manager, said: “Using traditional and, often manual, manufacturing methods to machine composite or additive space components is not viable due to the high value nature of parts and importance of machining them right-first time. Manual manufacturing methods cannot guarantee an error-free production process which increases the likelihood of scrap.

“Processes must also be flexible as, often, only a few parts of a version are produced, before they are then redeveloped, so spending huge amounts on bespoke systems or tooling to ensure quality isn’t feasible. Using MSP products, manufacturers could, if they wanted to, produce a different part each time, to the same level of quality, without the need for an expensive customised solution per component”

“Manufacturers particularly enjoy the fact our products don’t disrupt their existing manufacturing processes – they automate and enhance certain setup processes to increase accuracy, efficiency and provide a transparent understanding of each step of the manufacturing process”.

The growth of the space industry has been stratospheric, and if more manufacturers entering the sector use this type of metrology solution to automate their production processes, the growth of this industry will be truly exponential.

To learn more about MSP’s products, visit: www.mspltd.com

Featured Image: CNC metrology expert, MSP, has seen an increased demand from companies well-established in the industry or start-ups wanting to manufacture space components.

Interested?
Are you a leading figure in the tech space? If so, perhaps an inspiration talk is a good fit for you.
Contact inspiration@speakersforschools.org to learn more about joining our speaker network which is made up of C-suite executives, leaders and experts.

Alternatively, can you provide an authentic experience for young people into the world of tech? Working with our experienced team you can provide transformational careers experiences for young people. Email employers@speakersforschools.org or contact your SfS Account Manager to discover more. 

The European Union’s AI Act, which came into force on the 1 August 2024, introduces substantial new requirements for generative AI, in particular regarding the disclosure of copyrighted works used in training these systems. Here’s what this means for AI developers and providers in the space sector.

Background on the AI Act Amendments

The amendments to the AI Act specifically target generative AI, mandating providers to publicly disclose details of copyrighted works used in training their models. This move addresses growing concerns about copyright infringement in the training processes of generative AI systems. These systems, capable of creating text, images, and other media, have seen explosive growth and investment, exemplified by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s significant investments in AI.

For the space sector, where AI and machine learning are increasingly used for satellite data analysis, mission planning, and autonomous navigation, these new requirements mean that developers must be transparent about the data sources used to train their models.

New Obligations for Generative AI Providers

1. Policy for Compliance: Providers of general-purpose models must establish policies to comply with Union copyright law, including honouring opt-outs from the EU’s commercial text and data mining (TDM) exception using state-of-the-art technologies.
2. Global Scope: The AI Act requires compliance with EU copyright law even if the model is trained outside the EU. This ensures a level playing field by preventing providers from gaining a competitive advantage through lower copyright standards outside the EU.
3. Disclosure Requirements: Providers must publicly disclose details of the content used for training their models. This includes listing main data collections or sets, such as large private or public databases, while protecting trade secrets and confidential business information. No exceptions are made for open-source models, and those fine-tuning general-purpose models must disclose new training data sources.

Broader IP Considerations

The AI Act aims to balance innovation with the protection of fundamental rights, including IP rights. The specifics of achieving this balance remain to be seen, but the legislation emphasises protecting the intellectual property of AI system developers, such as trade secrets, while mandating public disclosure under certain conditions. For the space sector, this means ensuring that suppliers of AI tools must provide necessary information for compliance without compromising their IP or trade secrets, and authorities applying the AI Act must also protect these interests.

Impact on the UK and Future Developments

Post-Brexit, the UK’s approach to AI regulation has diverged from the EU’s. The UK has not implemented the EU’s text and data mining exceptions, limiting such exceptions to non-commercial research. While the UK Government is consulting on broader exceptions, it has yet to propose obligations for AI providers to disclose copyrighted works used in training.

The UK aims for a lighter regulatory touch to foster innovation within the AI space. However, this approach may face challenges in a globalised market where the EU’s stringent regulations could set a de facto standard. The UK’s narrower exceptions and different regulatory frameworks could impact its competitiveness in AI development compared to the EU.

Practical Steps for AI Developers in the UK

UK-based AI developers in the space sector should collaborate closely with IP lawyers to navigate the complex landscape of training data and copyright compliance.

Key steps include:

1. Identifying necessary works and applicable copyright restrictions.
2. Evaluating the extraction of protected data and potential infringement risks.
3. Considering jurisdiction-specific strategies for training and hosting models.
4. Implementing safeguards like filters and human oversight to prevent infringing outputs.
5. Documenting compliance efforts meticulously to adhere to regulatory requirements.

Compliance Deadlines

This landmark regulation takes a risk-based approach, categorising AI applications into levels: minimal, limited, high, and unacceptable risk. Full compliance deadlines vary by risk category: bans on “unacceptable” applications take effect six months post-enactment, while general-purpose AI compliance requirements and the Code of Practice must be met within twelve months. Most other obligations will apply two years after the Act’s entry into force, allowing time for companies and national authorities to align their practices with the new regulations.

Conclusion

• The EU AI Act represents a significant step towards regulating the use of generative AI and protecting intellectual property (IP) rights.
• The space sector must adapt to these new requirements, carefully considering where and how to train their models to ensure compliance with EU laws. This will involve detailed documentation, transparent disclosure of training data, and robust compliance policies to navigate the complex landscape of AI and IP.
• The UK’s different regulatory approach adds another layer of complexity, emphasising the need for thorough legal guidance and strategic planning in AI development and deployment.

If you need help navigating this intellectual property ‘space’, feel free to contact ip21.

Article by DADA Enterprises

Aerospace, and space, cost estimating remains a blend of art and science, given that many variables drive mission costs, and that many space projects are one-of-a-kind R&D ventures. Historical data suffers from cloudiness, interdependencies, and small sample sizes.

A 2023 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows that…

NASA’s portfolio of major projects in development sustained $7.6 billion in cost overruns in 2023.

Fig 1 NASA historical Cost Performance 

How can Space East members achieve certainty over their project out-turn costs?

Accurate estimation and control of costs poses a particular challenge, especially when in the business of developing something never achieved before.

As a high degree of accuracy remains elusive, how can Space East members achieve certainty over their project out-turn costs?

The cost estimator must select the most appropriate cost estimating methodology (or combination of methodologies) for the data available to develop a high-quality cost estimate. The three basic cost estimating methods are (1) analogy, (2) parametric, and (3) engineering build-up (also called “grassroots”) as well as extrapolation from actuals using Earned Value Management (EVM) to understand how much ‘value’ is being delivered.

The management of complex leading-edge programmes holds many difficulties. As spacecraft and mission designs mature, there are many issues and challenges to the cost estimate, including:

• Basic requirements changes.
• Make-it-work changes.
• Inadequate risk mitigation.
• Integration and test difficulties.
• Headcounts pressures, especially reluctance to reduce after peak.
• Inadequate insight/oversight.
• Development difficulties and Manufacturing breaks
• De-scoping science and/or operability features to reduce nonrecurring cost:
  1. Contract and design changes between the development and operations phases.
  2. Reassessing cost estimates and cost phasing due to funding instability.

To put an accurate price tag onto space projects, early awareness of costs, identification of risks, and their estimation of potential cost impacts, NASA uses Concept Maturity Levels (CMLs) to advance mission concept designs and assess their progress. These levels help guide concept teams through formulation progression before the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, on the other hand, ranges from TRL 1 (Basic Principles Observed) to TRL 9 (Actual System Proven in Operational Environment).

We can then summarise these Concept Maturity Levels (CMLs) into the Major Phases of a Project to identify the most appropriate cost estimating method at different phases of a mission:

• Phase A/B: Technology and concept development
• Phase C: Research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E)
• Phase D: Production
• Phase E: Operations

Certain methods are appropriate based on where the project is in its life cycle.

The type of cost estimating method used will depend on the adequacy of Project/Program definition, level of detail required, availability of data, and time constraints. The analogy method finds the cost of a similar space system, adjusts for differences, and estimates the cost of the new space system. The parametric method uses a statistical relationship to relate cost to one or several technical or programmatic attributes (also known as independent variables). The engineering (or Grass-Roots) build-up is a detailed cost estimate developed from the bottom up by estimating the cost of every activity in a project’s Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).  The table below presents the strengths and weaknesses of each method and identifies some of the associated applications.

The cost estimator must select the most appropriate cost estimating methodology (or combination of methodologies) for the data available to develop a high-quality cost estimate.

Steps to getting started generating a cost estimate for early Concept Maturity Levels (CMLs) 1-5:

1. Know what type of mission you want to estimate cost for (Earth orbiting, planetary, observatory, etc.)
2. Choose your cost model to estimate cost:

• Instrument – NASA Instrument Cost Modelling Tool (NICM)
• Spacecraft – SSCM (Aerospace Small Spacecraft Cost Model), PRICE (True Planning, NASA Space Mission Catalog), and NASA Project Cost Estimating Capability Tool (PCEC).

1. Model inputs, such as mass, to construct Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs). This could be like missions, spacecraft, power, Payload instrument type (telescope, remote sensing, etc.)
2. Compute point estimate for:

• Space segment (spacecraft bus and payloads)
• Launch segment (usually launch vehicle commercial purchase)
• Ground segment, including operations and support

3. Employ complexity factors, and learning curve, as an adjustment to a CER to compensate for a project’s unique features, not accounted for in the CER historical data.
4. Uncertainty in parametric cost models can be estimated using probability distributions that are summed via Monte Carlo simulation.
5. Cost phasing (or spreading) takes the point-estimate derived from a parametric cost model and spreads it over the project’s schedule, resulting in the project’s annual phasing requirements.

AI Generative Reporting to help SPACE EAST

Let’s talk real change. How we can help.

DADA uses Nodes & Links AI Agent, powered by generative AI, to get answers to questions using commonly spoken language, making the process fast and easy. Ehab Platform providing probabilistic calendars to model weather in rearranging tasks, to become weather resilient.

About DADA Enterprises

DADA’s ISO9001 and Six Sigma certified consultancy service has been repeatedly recognised by Consultancy.uk. DADA were shortlisted in the Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC) 2023 Annual Awards, in their maiden year of membership, by National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) in the “Innovation and Creativity” category. They showed how to create a SMART Construction platform by turning project data into predictive intelligence to create a “risk radar”.

The Suffolk-based cleanroom construction specialists secure Innovation triumph at the National Building Construction Awards

By Mollie Moss & Ellie Russen

THE GUARDTECH GROUP have claimed a fourth awards success in the space of just two months after securing the National Building Construction Awards (NBCA) prize for Innovation.

The Suffolk contamination control experts won the award at a glitzy event at the Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge hotel last Thursday night for their groundbreaking work with Cleancube Mobile Cleanrooms ­– specifically their range of large-scale Multi facilities.

Guardtech Group Commercial Director Mark Wheeler was full of praise for his multi-award-winning team, citing the “hard work and determination they continue to show on a daily basis”.

“Another award win, and yet more recognition for our amazing teams,” he said. “This isn’t just for the Cleancube team – everyone in the wider organisation also deserves to take credit for this phenomenal achievement.

“We pride ourselves on delivering a first-class service across all our brands and these awards are true testament to that high level of performance.”

Guardtech’s autumnal purple patch kicked off with success at SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards in September where they clinched the Gold Award for Best Enterprising Business and Silver Award for Family Business of the Year.

They then followed that up with the West Suffolk Innovation prize at the Bury Free Press Awards earlier this month.

Last week’s gong came on the back their success with Cleancube Multi – a range of innovative shipping container facilities that allow a wide range of applications, including NHS Trusts, to upgrade their process without having to refurbish their host buildings.

The Group now look forward to their final awards showcase of the year with the SME National Business Awards at Wembley Stadium on 6 December, where they’re shortlisted in the Best Enterprising Business category.

For more information on Cleancube Mobile Cleanrooms, call 0330 113 0303, email sales@guardtech.com or visit www.cleancube.co.uk.

Copyright for all belongs to Guardtech.

Do you have a project/work experience for a physics or maths undergraduate or PhD student?

SEPnet (South East Physics Network) is a consortium of university physics departments – Hertfordshire, Portsmouth, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, Southampton, Sussex .

The scheme

SEPnet organises over 80 summer placements a year for all 2^nd and 3^rd year physics and maths undergraduate and PhD students at the above universities and is seeking 8-week plus projects in industry or research in areas such as data analysis, mathematical modelling, programming, product design and testing or science communication.

Who can apply?

The scheme is aimed at any organisations interested in recruiting physics or maths graduates, or who can offer valuable business experience, including large companies, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, charities and NGOs.

Benefits to employers

• Early access to bright, numerate students with excellent problem-solving and IT skills
• Enables you to carry out projects you would not normally have time for
• Provides a fresh perspective on your business challenges
• All advertising, administration and placement support is handled by the SEPnet team
• Funding available!

What employers have said:

‘Very satisfied with the whole process, organised and straightforward, with good students.’
‘We took SEPnet students for the second year running and have been very impressed with the calibre, their capabilities and the general high standard. For your records we have just made a permanent job offer to one of the students…’.

Register your placement project (or projects), online here:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2025EmployerRegDoc

or by completing the attached form and sending back to Michelle Limbert

m.limbert@soton.ac.uk.

Michelle Limbert

SEPnet Employer Liaison Director

(South East Physics Network)

Building 46

University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ

We’re excited to announce that Roland Plastics is opening its doors to local businesses, design
professionals, product consultants, and students for an educational tour of our facility in Suffolk. This is a
unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of injection moulding and how modern
manufacturing processes bring product ideas to life.

Why Visit Us?
We’re proud to support a range of industries, including automotive, medical, aerospace, defence,
consumer goods and more. By touring our facility, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of plastic
manufacturing, from concept to completion. You’ll learn about the advanced technology behind our
injection moulding processes, explore our clean room, and see first hand how our precision
manufacturing delivers high-quality, custom plastic solutions. Whether you’re a product development
professional or an educator looking to inspire the next generation of designers, this tour offers a hands-on
educational experience.

During your visit, you’ll have the chance to:

• Meet our expert team and discuss potential collaborations, learn about material choices and
  manufacturing techniques.
• Explore our clean room, production floor, cutting-edge equipment, and our Electronic
  Terminations sister company.
• Learn about our commitment to sustainability and local partnerships.
• Bringing Ideas to Life

Our team at Roland Plastics is dedicated to helping businesses take their product concepts from initial
design to full-scale production. Whether you need support in prototyping or mass manufacturing, we
ensure that every project is executed with the utmost precision and care. By visiting us, you’ll have the
chance to explore how we bring innovative design idea to life.

For Businesses, Teachers and Students
We’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators. That’s why we encourage teachers to
bring their design students for an inside look at our facility. Your students will gain real-world insights into
manufacturing, product development, and the importance of sustainability in modern production. It’s a
great way to connect classroom concepts with practical applications and spark interest in engineering
and design careers.

Join Us for an Insightful Experience
Our tours aren’t just about showing you what we do—they’re about helping you understand how injection
moulding and manufacturing work in the real world. Whether you’re a local business exploring potential
partnerships or a teacher looking to engage your students, our goal is to educate and inspire. After the
tour, we’ll be happy to sit down over lunch and discuss potential collaboration opportunities.

Arrange Your Visit Today!
We welcome local businesses, students, and educators to visit us. If you’re interested in scheduling a
visit, please reach out to us at Sales@RolandPlastics.com

We’re excited to welcome you to Roland Plastics to explore the exciting world of bringing brilliant world innovations to life.