Author: Stuart Catchpole

Article by Lewis Huxtable IJYI 

The buzzword of late 2024 and onwards, Artificial Intelligence has very much become a Zeitgeist of this time but more than that, Artificial Intelligence has become a prominent focus for businesses and the technology industry.

Generative AI has played a big role in pushing the technology to the mainstream, yet there’s so much more to AI than just asking ChatGPT for a creative pasta recipe. AI offers multiple use-cases, the technology for these use cases can be filtered into Six Subsets: Narrow AI, General AI, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Expert Systems.

Today we’ll focus on Computer Vision.

Here at IJYI, being a Technology Consultancy, cutting edge tech has always been an area of the industry we’ve both embraced and specialised in. Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence and computer science that focuses on enabling computers to interpret and understand the visual world. Computer Vision can handle a variant of tasks but today we’ll be focussing on Object Recognition.

Object Recognition is using a computer for locating and identifying specific objects within an image or video stream. Object detection algorithms can detect multiple objects of interest and outline their boundaries.

Recently at IJYI, I was tasked with finding a way to utilise this technology for the safety of Bumble Bees. Last summer the invasion of Asian Hornets had apiarists around the country worried about hives being destroyed. The first challenge was outlining which “model” to use.  AI is built around mathematical frameworks known as “models”, different models serve different purposes. Through trial and error, I chose YOLO V8 (You Only Look Once Version 8).

I trained the model to recognize bees by supplying it with hundreds of images, a process that took about seven hours. Once trained, I was able to process video examples through the model, resulting in the outcomes shown below.

Computer Vision continues to be a talking point in the tech world and for most of our interactions. We’ll continue this series in future newsletters.  If you would like to discuss AI and tech, you can contact IJYI at https://www.ijyi.com/ and find me on X at @Sci_Soft_Sports.

Article by Simon Wingfield Wingfield Consultants 

Simon Wingfield, attended the ‘Space-Tech Meets Agri-Tech’ event (held in partnership with New Anglia LEP) at Easton College last year. He said, “It was fascinating to explore ‘‘the final frontier’’ for agriculture’ at the event says Simon. ‘The amount of space technology being applied to farming was staggering. From GPS steering, earth observation insights into soil and crop performance, and geo-fencing – the list of space technology applications for agriculture (and horticulture) was seemingly endless!’. This got us thinking at the consultancy. Given the link between Space-Tech to Agri-Tech to Food/Drink Tech…what about the ‘final frontier’ that we work with – the producers, manufacturers, suppliers, brand owners, and retailers in our region?

Wingfield Consultants work with many local food and drink SMEs in Norfolk and Suffolk. These businesses focus on local ingredients and products. They produce and sell with quality and taste the ‘hallmarks’ of their brands, ranges, and products.  Customers and consumers, post-COVID-19, have increasingly engaged more with their local communities, companies, and consumable goods. So, what has local got to do with space? Here are two thoughts and tips from us on how cluster members can engage with (and sell to) local food and drink companies:

• Thought/Tip 1: We have a proprietary business model we use with our clients: Determine – Define – Differentiate – Drive – Deliver (lots of Ds!). Space is exciting right? If you have technology, products, or services that these clients can use for their products they stand out from their (bigger) competitors (like Mars!). They can ‘Differentiate’. What a great story – local products that are worlds apart from the competition.
• Thought/Tip 2: ‘People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe’ (Simon Sinek, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action’). If a cluster member believes in what they do, then can really resonate with potential local food and drink customers. Find some ‘space’ in your diaries to support local businesses.    

Article by Laxmi Limbani, Senior Manager at Fragomen

The space industry in the United Kingdom is experiencing robust growth. In 2023, the sector witnessed significant expansion, marked by augmented investments, the entry of new participants, and heightened activities. Consequently, the sector’s contribution has surged by £1 billion, further boosting its already substantial annual contribution of £17.5 billion to the UK economy.

However, this significant growth and the global race to deliver new and improved technology and services bring unique challenges, too – as job opportunities and service offerings expand, the sector must continue to innovate and bridge skills gaps to foster this continued innovation and propel the UK’s presence in the space industry.

The latest Space Sector Skills Survey (2023) shows the rapid growth of employment in the sector. There are almost an additional 1,800 available jobs, and success in the sector has outpaced the employees available.

Demand has been particularly high for mid-level roles and while the UK Space Agency sets out a plan to provide a skilled, diverse and sustainable workforce for the country’s sector now and in the future, in December 2023, the Home Secretary unveiled an ambitious five-point plan aimed at reducing net migration, which will undoubtedly impact recruitment for mid-level roles.

The recent changes that came into force in April will likely have widespread consequences across all sectors, including the space industry.

The Home Secretary’s new immigration plan

The salary changes for individuals relocating to the UK for work under the Skilled Worker route, which came into force on 4 April, will undoubtedly impact the space sector.

As a result, the sector must consider how to overcome potential challenges in acquiring top-tier and mid-level talent. The two key measures that will impact Skilled Workers are:

• The increase in the current ‘general salary threshold’ of the Skilled Worker immigration category from £26,200 to £38,700 and increasing the going rate to the median; and
• The reform of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) by removing the 20% discount to the ‘going rate’ minimum salary for SOL roles and introducing a new condensed Immigration Salary List (ISL).

Beginning on 4 April, several of the common Standard Occupational Codes (SOC) for the space industry became subject to a substantial increase and, as a result, some applicants may not meet the new higher salary thresholds.

In addition, The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has also recommended that some of the SOC codes on the current Shortage Occupation List, which are used by the space industry, be removed from the new Immigration Salary List. The impact of this is that the 20% discount to the ‘going rate’ minimum salary will no longer be available to employers.

Space sector impact

There are skills gaps in the current workforce, with 72% of gaps being in software and data, 51% in commercial operations, 43% in electronic design and 39% in systems engineering.

It is also anticipated that these skills gaps will only increase. From 2026 onwards, it is expected that there will be an 81% gap in software and data, 58% in commercial operations, 70% in electronic design and 59% in systems engineering.

The Space Sector Skills Survey indicates that the most difficult areas for which to recruit are electronics, systems engineering and spacecraft operations. Of these, this is the most challenging area because demand is not only high, but it is also very difficult to recruit. The sector must work to bridge these skills gaps to be able to continue to grow, level up the UK’s space economy and deliver the National Space Strategy.

The Skilled Worker route is used to fill permanent or long-term roles. Sponsors wishing to hire employees in roles must match the position with one of the job codes under the Skilled Worker route, and the gross annual salaries for these roles must be able to satisfy both the general salary threshold requirement of the Skilled Worker route and the ‘going rate’ as per the job code selected.

With the Skilled Worker general salary threshold being increased from £26,200 to £38,700 per year for a 37.5-hour working week and the ‘going rate’ increasing to the median, as well as the Migration Advisory Committee recommendations to remove some of the current shortage occupation roles which are used by the space sector, such as SOCs 2122 (Mechanical engineers), 2123 (Electrical engineers), 2124 (Electronics engineers), 2135 (IT business analysts, architects, and systems designers and 2136 (Programmers and software development professionals) off the new Immigration Salary List. This means that jobs such as those in software design and development, electronics technicians and engineering technicians for space programs may not meet the new salary requirements, and prospective employers may not be able to offer overseas workers sponsorship. The salary increases will have a disproportionate impact outside of London and across the regions, so the current skills gap we see in the sector may widen further unless they can be addressed.

However, despite the potential hurdles that the sector could face in this visa route, the UK immigration system offers alternative pathways that can be considered, ensuring the sector continues to harness international talent as part of its space strategy.

Visa pathways to enable sector growth

Several alternative unsponsored routes are available to attract overseas talent into the sector. Routes such as those below could be particularly attractive for roles where the Skilled Worker salary thresholds cannot be met.

• The UK Graduate visa – permits work in the UK in any role, for any employer and without salary thresholds for two years after a UK degree course or three years after a PhD.
• High Potential Individual visa – a route open to those who have ‘graduated from a top global university’ to stay in the UK for two years and work in any role.
• Youth Mobility visa – a route that was expanded to new categories of applicants in January 2024.
• Global Talent visa – a flexible route aimed at individuals who can show that they have exceptional talent or promise and have been recognised as (or have the potential to become) a global leader in certain fields, including science, engineering, and digital technology.

Fragomen’s Attracting Talent to the Space Sector: Navigating the UK Immigration System, 2024 guide explores these routes, amongst others, in more detail.

Short-term pathways

There are also short-term alternative options available to those in the space industry where there is no salary threshold requirement. For example, under the visitor route, general business activities can be conducted such as attending meetings, consulting, troubleshooting, repairing, or advising on machinery, equipment or software. However, this is not an alternative to a work visa – individuals entering as Business Visitors are not able to undertake substantive or productive work in the UK. A Business Visitor visa will be valid for six months and during this time, if frequent visits are required, this may raise questions as to the visitors’ intentions in the UK.  To avoid any issues and risks, a work visa or alternative options mentioned above, should be considered.

The Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route allows individuals to come to the UK for a temporary period on an approved internship-style scheme. The GAE route can be used to sponsor individuals to undertake an internship or work experience within a UK company.

The role must be skilled to RQF Level 3 or above, must be supernumerary (not fill a permanent position) and is usually limited to 12 months in duration. The UK company will require a GAE sponsor to act as an ‘overarching body’ to sponsor the intern on behalf of the company, and the GAE sponsor’s specific scheme’s requirements must also be met.

Fragomen is an approved GAE sponsor under the sub-category ‘work experience’ and can sponsor supernumerary internships which last up to 12 months, on behalf of space businesses. Shortly before the 12-month visa expiry, if the worker is required for a permanent role, they can consider switching to the Skilled Worker route.

Looking ahead

The April 2024 changes will reduce net migration figures. The introduction of more stringent immigration rules for the Skilled Worker route with the higher salary thresholds, plus the changes on the Immigration Salary List means the space sector, particularly in the regions outside of London, stands to be disproportionately impacted.

Where roles are adversely impacted by the changes in the salary thresholds, employers can look to consider alternative visa routes. Careful planning will ensure that the UK space industry can attract and retain ‘top tier’ talent and help to drive forward the UK space journey and economy.

Need to know more?

For more information or questions on navigating the UK immigration system and the space sector, please contact Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani @laxmi.limbani@fragomen.com or Fragomen’s Space Industry Team.

Failure to follow processes or comply with regulations can be costly in any industry.  But in the space sector the results of process failure can be catastrophic.  Failure in quality control processes have lead to significant mission failures such as the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter mission in 1999 (failure to track and double-check all interconnected aspects of the mission) and the SpaceX CRS-7 mission failure in June 2015 (design component quality process error). Compliance failure can also be extraordinarily expensive such as the $10m fine given to Sea Launch (mobile maritime satellite launch) in 2008 for failure to comply with US technology export control regulations.

The space industry encompasses a wide range of complex processes and regulations spanning everything from spacecraft design and manufacturing, launch operations, mission planning and management, navigation and guidance, payload integration and testing, through to mission analysis and data processing.  Similarly companies wanting to conduct biomedical research, microgravity or earth observation science or advanced manufacturing in space need to follow often lengthy lab operating processes and procedures to ensure the validity of their data and outputs.

In the space industry the challenge is particularly acute where processes & regulations span collaborations across teams, organisations, geographies and time zones and encompass multiple different applications, systems and pieces of equipment.

Maly is a company that specialises in helping companies simplify, digitise, automate and control complex industrial and compliance processes using their Okuda platform.  Okuda is a no-code tool that allows you to model and capture your process as a series of simple digital steps, ensuring each actor plays their part at the right time and in the right order and integrating easily across existing applications and systems where needed.  Every step, interaction and piece of data is captured allowing for interactive and highly customisable dashboards as well as rapid, detailed and accurate audits.  It does away with the need for overly complex and constantly out of date spreadsheets or expensive and difficult to work with project management tools.

To find out more about Maly and their Okuda tool visit their website site here or contact their CEO richard@maly.co.uk.

Article by Sachin Melwani DADA Enterprises Ltd 

The challenges of dealing with COVID-19, the EU Exit, the upcoming economic recession, and the Net Zero Carbon agenda are all placing significant pressure for change and transformation on Public Sector infrastructure projects.

Learn to ask of all actions, to  “why are they doing that? Starting with your own…

“Marcus Aurelius Meditations” – Book 10

Manage, run, and track your Projects more effectively!

By increasing your Internal Audit and Project Governance capabilities to assure your Projects, Space East Cluster projects can benefit by:

• Improving visibility and control
• Streamlining services
• Maximising accountability
• Improving collaboration

To help you shape, plan, and deliver the complex change, companies can use the principles of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), to make appropriate recommendations to improve Client’s organisational governance processes for:

• Coordinating the activities of, and communicating information among, the board, external and internal auditors.
• Ensuring effective organisational performance management and accountability.
• Making strategic and operational decisions.
• Promoting appropriate ethics and values within the organisation.
• Overseeing risk management and control.
• Communicating risk and control information to appropriate areas of the organisation.

The mission of internal audit is to enhance and protect organisational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice, and insight.

Improving your organisation’s Internal Audit abilities helps to maintain continuity of your programmes and gives consistency to the delivery of your Project Delivery.

The constant emphasis is on the questions…What did you find – what’s the problem?

What’s its significance – why does something need to be done? What do you want the senior manager to do about it? What’s the benefit (for them) if they do?

An internal audit assessment will evaluate the effectiveness of your Project Assurance abilities and contribute to improvements in managing, running, and tracking your Projects.

An assessment will for example determine whether risk management processes are effective by assessing whether:

• Organisational objectives support and align with the company’s mission.
• Significant risks are identified and assessed.
• Appropriate risk responses are selected that align risks with the organisation’s risk appetite.
• Relevant risk information is captured and communicated in a timely manner across the organisation to carry out their responsibilities.

Opportunities that come by improving your governance and risk management to respond to emerging risk events quickly.

Source: Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) Internal Audit Competency Framework.

Copyright © 2022 by The Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc. All rights reserved.

For example, to assess an organisation’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) practices, we can review control activities to see if they have been proactively designed to address and mitigate the significant risks.

We can also review whether information critical to identifying risks and meeting business objectives, are being communicated through established channels for internal control and being monitored continuously, with problems being addressed in a timely manner. Similarly, we can also review template job descriptions covering accountability, delegated authority, roles and responsibility, minimum standards, and expectations.

Using the Three Lines Defence model to governance and risk management, we can standardise and design a comprehensive approach to identify and respond to emerging risk events quickly, and effectively.

How can this benefit SPACE EAST Members?

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

Since September 2021, DADA Enterprises have been awarded a place on ESPO Framework 664 Consultancy Services for Internal Audit Services to UK public sector organisations.

Through the ESPO Supplier Framework, we have been able to supply P3M3 assurance reports, SOC 1 & SOC 2: ISAE 3000 & ISAE 3402 reports, ISO 31000:2018 Risk management assurance, GIAA reports, as well Internal Governance Audits as per Government Functional Standard (GovS 009).

Services we offer under the framework include:

In a strategic move to better reflect its evolving business landscape in technological advancements, Applied Satellite Technology (AST) Ltd. proudly announces rebrand to AST Networks. The rebranding initiative comes as the company embraces its role as a leading force in networking solutions, emphasising commitment to connectivity, communication, business efficiency, remote asset management, and unwavering customer support.

Founded in 1992, AST has built a strong reputation as a global leader in satellite technology, connectivity, and communication services. The rebrand to AST Networks is driven by the company’s increasing commitment to providing full-service networking solutions, far beyond traditional satellite services.

Gary White, CEO of AST Networks states, “We are proud to unveil our new identity as AST Networks, a name that encapsulates our commitment to delivering advanced networking solutions that go beyond the limitations of traditional satellite services. This rebrand represents a pivotal moment in our company’s journey as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our clients in an interconnected world.”

“With great enthusiasm, we introduce AST Networks, a name that echoes a much wider capability developed over many years of hard – won experience” shares AST Networks’ Founder, Gregory Darling. “I believe this rebrand reflects the real world of integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and connected sensors enabling practical digitalisation and the associated operational efficiencies that our customers expect.

As a distinguished Tier 1 provider of satellite and mobile communications, AST Networks bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to any organisation’s connectivity requirements. Specialising in crafting tailored communication networks, focussing on the specific needs of each customer – whether they are navigating the high seas or traversing rugged terrain – AST delivers connectivity solutions to keep operations running smoothly.

Leveraging cutting-edge technology, AST Networks can integrate a diverse range of communication solutions, including radio, LTE, satellite networks, and hybrid connectivity. Their approach to providing first-class resolutions ensures optimal performance and reliability, empowering organisations to stay connected and operate to maximum business efficiency, effectively allowing companies to manage and control remote assets, facilitating streamlined operations, enhanced productivity, and reduced down-time.

The rebrand includes a revised logo and strapline, along with a dynamic visual identity reflecting the company’s progressive and forward-thinking approach. The new strapline, “Remote Connectivity”, underscores their dedication to providing connectivity solutions that transcend geographical constraints. Their revisited website (www.ast-networks.com) offers an enhanced user experience, providing clients and partners with easy access to information about the company’s complex capabilities and global presence.

AST Networks remains committed to delivering the same high-quality service and reliability that they have been trusted with over the years, incorporating enhanced network solutions to meet the transforming digital industry landscapes

Article by Andy Attfield Reddie

New Space is booming – the global space sector is estimated at half a trillion dollars, with over three quarters of that value in the commercial market[1]. This is a dramatic shift from days of yore when the space sector was not only dominated by, but the exclusive realm of, huge government programs. Rather than acting for politics and patriotism, companies in the New Space sector are, ultimately, trying to make money.

Research by the European Patent Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office shows that SMEs with at least one patent are more than twice as likely to become “High-Growth Firms” than those without[2]. This underlines the value of being able to properly identify and leverage innovation and IP. However, as in most areas, space throws up some interesting and unique challenges when it comes to protecting innovation. In particular, given that patents are territorial (a GB patent prevents others from working the invention in the UK, but not, for example, in Germany), is it possible to protect inventions use in space?

Here we take a look at how UK patent law can (and cannot) be used to protect inventions used in space.

Space Law

The current framework for international space law is based on various UN treaties, the most important of which is known as the Outer Space Treaty signed in 1967. This treaty specifies that space itself (including celestial bodies) does not belong to and are under the control of any nation. Nevertheless, the treaty also specifies that objects launched into space shall remain under the jurisdiction and control of the country in which the object is registered.

Does this mean that if a space object is registered in the UK, then a GB patent will cover that object whilst in space? This is a particularly relevant question now that the UK has set its sights on becoming a launching state.

UK Patent Law

Unfortunately, the answer is not as clear cut as would be hoped. Infringement in the UK is defined by section 60 of the Patents Act 1977. A person infringes a product claim of a patent if, and only if, they make, dispose of, offer to dispose of, use, import, or keep the product, within the United Kingdom (Section 60(1)(a)). This is known as ‘direct infringement’.

Additionally, Section 60(2) of the Patents Act 1977 provides what is known as ‘contributory infringement’. A person is guilty of infringement under Section 60(2) if they supply, or offer to supply, an essential element of the invention, for putting the invention into effect, among other requirements. Importantly, in Section 60(2), there is a double territorial requirement. The supply, or offer to supply, must be within the UK, and it must be for the purposes for putting the invention into effect within the UK.

Considering the different ways that a person may infringe a patent within the UK, there are a number of points that must be taken into consideration when dealing with the protection afforded by patents relating to space-based inventions.

Manufacturing and Importing Space Objects

To start with, it is clear that if a person manufactures an object to be sent into space (such as a satellite) in the UK, and the object is protected by a UK patent, then that person will be infringing the patent if they have not been granted the right to manufacture the space object by the patent proprietor. This is regardless of whether the satellite is subsequently launched into space, or from which country it is launched.

What about the case when a person imports a satellite into the UK, to be launched from the UK? Assuming that the satellite falls within the scope of a UK patent, and the importer does not have permission from the patent proprietor, they would probably be infringing as importing is an act covered by Section 60(1)(a) of the Patents Act. However, an interesting consideration would be Section 60(5)(e) which states:

‘(5) An act which, apart from this subsection, would constitute an infringement of a patent for an invention shall not do so if

…

(e) it consists of the use of a product or process in the body or operation of a relevant aircraft, hovercraft or vehicle which has temporarily or accidentally entered or is crossing the United Kingdom (including the air space above it and its territorial waters) or the use of accessories for such a relevant aircraft, hovercraft or vehicle’

The question would then arise as to whether the satellite may fall under one of the above exclusions, which relate to vehicles which temporarily enter the United Kingdom. It seems quite possible that it would not. For starters, the satellite may not be considered in ‘use’ when it enters the UK, rather it may be considered that it is being imported (to be ‘used’ in space). Further, it is not clear that a satellite would fall within the categories of ‘aircraft, hovercraft, or vehicle’.

The vehicles exempted by the above sections are detailed in Section 62(7) which states that a ‘relevant aircraft, hovercraft, or vehicle’ for the purposes of Section 62(5)(e) is one registered in, or belonging to, any country other than the UK which is a party to the Paris Convention (another patent law treaty). It may be possible that a satellite from a foreign country which is merely using a UK launch site (and thus may have the satellite registered to the foreign country) will be regarded as ‘relevant vehicle’ and be exempted by this section, though it is probably best not to have to rely on such an argument to avoid infringement.

Inventions Implemented in Space

Now we consider the case of an invention that is only implemented in space. For example, consider a patent which claims a system of satellites. The system is only formed once the satellites are in position space, and as such the invention as claimed is not implemented at any point on Earth. Could a UK patent ever protect such a system? There are two important, but linked, aspects that require analysis: what does ‘use’ mean in Section 60(1)(a), and what is regarded as ‘within’ the United Kingdom.

As discussed above, if a satellite is launched in the UK, it will (in most cases) be under the jurisdiction of the UK. However, while UK laws apply, this does not necessarily mean that it is ‘within’ the UK. The Interpretation Act 1978 defines the United Kingdom as being ‘Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ – rather than as being where the UK has jurisdiction. As such, once a satellite has been launched, it is likely outside of the UK. Indeed, the very existence of the Outer Space Treaty implies, and requires, that space is not within the borders of any country.

So, while the network of satellites would probably not be within the UK, even if launched from the UK (perhaps an unsurprising conclusion), could it be that the system would still be used within the UK? It seems that it might be possible to argue this, and thus such actions could be found to infringe a UK patent.

We turn to the case of Menashe Business Mercantile Ltd. & Anor v William Hill Organization Ltd., which dealt with the case of a method being implemented on a server that was outside of the UK, though the end user was within the UK. It was decided at first instance, and upheld at appeal, that each and every element of a computer system need not necessarily be located within the UK.

In the appeal decision, the judge, Aldous LJ, stated that ‘In the age that we live in, it does not matter where the host computer is situated. It could be in the United Kingdom, on a satellite, or even on the border between two countries.’ This would seem to lend weight to the possibility of infringement of a UK patent claiming a system of satellites in space if the end user was in the UK, as, by analogy, the invention would still be used within the UK.

However, the analogy is not perfect. For starters, with a satellite system it does matter where the satellites are located. They must be in space, in their designated orbits. The system would not work if the satellites were simply left together on a launch pad. This is in contrast to the computer server of William Hill, where the server actually could be virtually anywhere.

Furthermore, this analogy requires that there is an end user who is in the UK. This may be simple to establish in the case of something like a satellite phone system, but what about where the patent does not relate to an end user? What if it relates only to communication between satellites for example? Or to a method of in-orbit servicing of refuelling performed by one satellite on another? An end user of this system is then a step removed from the use of the patented invention, so it is not clear that it could still be considered that the invention is used within the UK, potentially barring a finding of infringement.

So, how can inventions be protected?

Taking into account all of the above, the best way to protect an invention that is going to be used in space is to draft the patent so that it will be infringed on Earth.

Space objects should, where possible, be protected at the component level rather than covering systems. This will make prosecuting manufacturers much simpler than if only the whole system is claimed.

Patents should also avoid claiming methods, where possible, but rather focus on the technical adaptions made to the space object to enable a method to be performed. For example, rather than a patent to a method of in-orbit refuelling, a patent covering an arm enabling to docking of the two satellites for refuelling and any other specific adaptions that enable the refuelling would likely be more useful.

It is also important to be mindful that some innovations are best protected using trade secrets. These may be particularly beneficial for ‘backend’ methods that are not accessible or visible to third parties. However, while trade secrets do not need to be registered, it remains important that they are identified within a company and that a strategy is in place to keep the information confidential.

[1] https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/uk/en/insights/expanding-frontiers-down-to-earth-guide-to-investing-in-space.html

[2] https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/publications/high-growth-firms-and-intellectual-property-rights-ipr-profile-of-high-potential-smes-in-europe