How Guildford’s space community is enhancing lives around the world

Businesses in Surrey Research Park’s Space Enterprise Quarter community came together with academics from the University of Surrey to explore how space and space-enabling technologies developed and commercialised in Guildford are being applied to enhance life on Earth.

Held at the Park on 14 May, the session highlighted Surrey Research Park’s role as a strategic business community for companies contributing to the growth of the UK space sector.

It provided a high-level overview of research and applications ranging from Earth observation and satellite communications to propulsion, space law and future connectivity.

It was the first event of its kind to take place since the Surrey Space Institute was formally launched earlier this year. It also gave academics a platform to share with local businesses the Institute’s vision, including its commitment to enable the University of Surrey to become the UK’s leading university for supporting the growth of SMEs in space.

Earth observation and environmental intelligence

Earth observation and remote sensing emerged as a common theme across several presentations, highlighting how data collected in space is being applied in Guildford to better understand and protect life on Earth.

IsardSAT, which has been based at Surrey Research Park for nearly a decade, shared its latest work using satellite data to monitor environmental change and support more informed decision making across areas such as climate, land use and natural resource management.

This was complemented by an overview of research from the Surrey Space Institute, where advances in sensing and data analysis are enabling more sophisticated Earth observation and modelling capabilities for water, soil and land management.

Satellite communications and future connectivity

Space’s role in enabling global connectivity also featured strongly, demonstrating how advances in both industry and research are shaping the future of communications.
Circuits Integrated UK provided an overview of its award-winning, lightweight flat phased array Kythrion technology, highlighting how next generation hardware is supporting more efficient and capable satellite communications systems.

This was complemented by research from the University of Surrey exploring the development of future communications infrastructure, including the integration of non-terrestrial satellite systems into emerging 6G networks.

Together, these capabilities point to new opportunities to deliver seamless connectivity across the world.

Propulsion and the next generation of satellites

Advances in propulsion technology also emerged as a key enabler of future space systems, with research focused on improving efficiency, reducing reliance on chemical fuel sources and supporting more sustainable satellite operations.

Researchers from the Surrey Space Institute presented work on very low Earth orbit air breathing electric propulsion, demonstrating how these concepts could enable more cost effective deployment and longer lasting satellite systems.

Security, sovereignty and mission assurance

The role of space as part of the UK’s National Critical Infrastructure was also reflected, with growing recognition of how space capabilities support both civil and defence applications.

Actica Consulting, marking 20 years at Surrey Research Park next year, outlined its experience supporting UK government programmes across space and cybersecurity.

This included the importance of securing ground infrastructure, such as satellite ground stations, to ensure the reliability and integrity of mission systems.

Making an impact

Representatives from across the Park’s wider space community were also present, with discussions during the session highlighting potential opportunities for follow-up engagement and collaboration between companies and academics.

Further sessions are planned, with upcoming topics including cyberspace and cybersecurity, reflecting the growing importance of secure digital infrastructure to the space supply chain and mission integrity.

Get in touch today

If your business is working in space or space-enabling technologies, find out how joining the Park’s Space Enterprise Quarter community could support the next stage of your growth.