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The University of Surrey created the first international satellite constellation dedicated to monitoring natural and man-made disasters worldwide. The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) comprises 6 advanced small Earth Observation satellites built at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) for China, Algeria, Nigeria, Turkey, Spain and the UK that can image worldwide within 24 hours to provide critical and timely information to international disaster assessment and relief agencies. The DMC has responded to over 200 major disasters and, the UN estimates, aided over 250,000 disaster victims. SSTL's subsidiary company, DMCii, has created commercial applications and services generating sales of over £130M and ~100 high-technology jobs.
A new broadcast system involving satellite plus cellular to allow TV and multimedia to be viewed on a handheld or in a car was first proposed by researchers at Surrey. The feasibility was demonstrated within an EU project run by Surrey and then taken to prototype stage via two other EU projects run by industry. A new standard was produced in DVB / ETSI and the EU let licenses for operation. A new company was formed (Solaris-Mobile) by two of Europe's major satellite operators (Eutelsat and SES) who launched a satellite and now operate the system. Investments of circa €200m were made by industry to create this new business.
Departmental research led to changes in how radiation forces on several classes of space vehicle (low earth orbit environmental measurement satellites and medium earth orbit navigation missions like GPS) are modelled by two NASA laboratories (Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Centre). This includes NASA's adoption of a UCL model as an operational standard for Jason-1, which measured global sea level change from 2001 to 2013. Jason-1 measurements are a critical component of data supplied to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, thereby feeding into policy formulation seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change upon the entire population of Earth. The techniques also changed the way in which GPS satellite orbits are calculated, with products used by many millions of users.
The University of Southampton's research into space debris has made a vital contribution to space policy by addressing an issue identified by the United Nations (UN) as having important implications for all humanity. This research has played a key role in advising policymakers "on how best to manage the orbital environment in a sustainable manner for generations to come" (page 52, UK in Space, British National Space Centre, 2009). Challenging prevailing theories, researchers influenced Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) Space Debris Mitigation (SDM) guidelines, resulting in the implementation of sustainable practices by satellite operators in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) requiring an investment by them of an estimated £1 billion since 2008.
Research on Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) structures has led to major advances in the design and manufacture of the world's most advanced payload instrumentation for use in Earth observation satellites. This technology has provided the core element of the radiometer instrumentation needed for more accurate global weather forecasts and better understanding of climate change. The advances described have made it possible to combine all of the different functions of the MetOP-SG radiometer into one instrument, thereby halving the footprint of the satellite payload resulting in a [text removed for publication] cost saving.
Space weather can adversely affect the performance of many communication and navigation systems. Research into space weather events and their mapping through our Multi-Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS) algorithms have highlighted the vulnerability of Global Satellite Navigation Systems (including GPS). The impact of our research has occurred in three main ways. Firstly, it has impacted on the global satellite and communications industry by enabling space-weather effects to be included in a sophisticated commercial GPS simulator. Secondly, it has impacted on UK government [text removed for publication]. Thirdly, it has engaged and informed the public about GPS and space weather.
Research conducted within the Department of Space and Climate Physics at UCL has had a significant impact upon e2v Ltd., a manufacturer of charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Through working collaboratively with e2v, UCL has helped the company to secure major contracts and business [text removed for publication]. This includes two contracts for the supply of CCDs for the European Space Agency (ESA) missions Gaia (€20 million) and Euclid (€10 million). Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship has contributed to the establishment of e2v as Europe's leading supplier of high-quality CCDs for space science applications and has underpinned an improved understanding of device design and optimisation within the company.
UCL's research and development programme in space science and engineering enabled it to complete four major contracts with European and Canadian space companies between 2009 and 2011. These contracts were for the supply of equipment that will fly on European and Indian space missions, and for support of the ground testing of those space missions. The fact that these contracts were won by UCL in a competitive environment against low-cost industrial providers demonstrates that customers value the capability that UCL possesses. By acting as a specialist provider within the UK space sector supply chain, UCL enabled the prime contractors European Astrium Aerospace and Canadian Routes AstroEngineering Ltd. to deliver substantial commercial contracts with space agencies. Its provision of specialist input into these major contracts enabled UCL to also directly support the growth of the commercial space sector.
The University of Southampton's distinguished body of work on the design of technology for gamma-ray detection and imaging has informed new counter-terrorism practices. Technological advances arising from the research have been crucial to delivering significant benefits in the fields of homeland security and nuclear safety — the latter particularly in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster. A spin-out company, Symetrica, currently employs 26 people in the UK and the USA, has a forecast turnover of more than £10 million for 2013-14 and has been recognised as an example of best practice. It is a technological leader in the field of radioactive isotope identification.
The University of Surrey's Radiation and Medical Physics Group developed a technique used in radiotherapy applications in medicine and have played a significant role in extending its application to environmental nuclear decontamination. The key concept is to use polymeric gels as direct detectors of radiation to show visually the regions where radiation is being concentrated and the direction from which it comes. Two Surrey research contracts with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) culminated in the creation of a commercial radiation dosimeter known as the RadBall,® which offers the advantages of being portable, non-electrical, simple to use, and able to be remotely operated. Surrey's research is having an impact by shaping industrial practice in the decommissioning of radioactive waste in the UK and in the USA. The use of the RadBall® to detect radiation ensures the safety of workers and protects the general public. RadBall® has been used at the Sellafield nuclear processing facility, and licensing agreements and developments are underway with US government laboratories.