The UK has a thriving space industry – turning over >£6bn p.a., and with the upturn in interest in manned space the industry is set to grow even more.

Steve’s interesting session will take a look at the key reasons why spacecraft are used, the challenges of spacecraft engineering, how the industry works and the exciting opportunities that are coming up for new photonics technologies.

Profile

Dr Steve Welch is head of the UCL Technology Management Group, and Director of the UCL Centre for Advanced Instrumentation Systems. With a PhD in High Energy Astrophysics and an MSc in Spacecraft Engineering.

Steve has 20 years’ experience in the design and construction of advanced electro-optic instrumentation in challenging environments.

In recent years Steve has also been very active in technology transfer with leading roles in the Smart Optics Faraday Partnership and now the Photonics KTN.