A project involving a County Durham manufacturer and Northumbria University is soaring ahead after securing Government funding to develop innovative space technologies.
Last December the Government announced it was to invest around £8m into 21 schemes around the 海角视频, through its National Space Innovation Programme.
A £367,000 sum has been given to the project being developed by Isocom Ltd, in Peterlee, and Northumbria University, in which the organisations will build and test mini satellites, known as CubeSats, which will orbit the earth, transmitting data 100 times faster than is possible at the moment.
The organisations are seeking to create the world’s first commercially available laser-based satellite communication system, with a view to developing products for telecoms provider and global companies such as SpaceX, Facebook and Google, which could deliver Internet of Things (IoT) technology, as well as remote sensing and environmental monitoring.
Called Laser Optical Communications for CubeSats, the project will also help the government’s mission to boost the 海角视频’s share of the global space market to 10% by 2030.
The project is led by solar physicist Dr Eamon Scullion of Northumbria University’s department of mathematics, physics and electrical engineering.
He said: “This is all about designing a new system capable of firing laser beams between satellites that are not much bigger than a shoe box, many thousands of kilometres apart and moving at many thousands of kilometres per hour around the world – it does not get much cooler than that.”
Established in 1982, Isocom is a leader in the design, manufacture and testing of high-quality components for the space, defence and aerospace industries, specialising in products which can withstand vibration, shock, extreme temperatures, and radiation environments.
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Its components have been selected for the likes of the European Space Agency’s PROBA-3 satellite mission and the Rosalind Franklin Rover mission, and since its launch the firm has grown considerably after winning contracts with CERN and other space sector partners.
The company moved to its Peterlee base in 2018, investing £750,000 to create a new head office, and advanced manufacturing facilities so it could expand its product lines.
It currently employs 18 members of staff but is recruiting for design engineers, manufacturing and production operatives.
Thomas Bayat, CEO and managing director, said: “It’s a really exciting time to be working in the space and satellite sector, and we’re looking forward to working with Northumbria University on this 海角视频 Space Agency funded project to develop a laser-based satellite communication system.
“It’s amazing to be involved with these types of projects and to be able to help raise the profile of the North East space sector.
“Over the years, we have been supported by Business Durham through the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence, which has been invaluable as they connected us with similar businesses, introduced us to universities and provided funding advice – all of which has been invaluable in helping Isocom grow.”
Since 2014, Isocom has been supported by Business Durham through the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence, based at NETPark in Sedgefield, which has provided funding, advice, networking and opportunities to attend events.
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Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council, has led the centre for seven years, establishing links between 277 business and universities and helping companies secure £9.2m worth of funding.
Sarah Slaven, interim managing director of Business Durham, said: “We’re delighted to see Isocom working with some of the world’s leading space agencies. It reflects the growing number of companies, specialist knowledge and skills in the space sector in the region. It’s great to see them creating new jobs and collaborating with other space and technology companies in the region, nationally and beyond.”