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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 National Space Centre (NSC), sited in the Abbey Meadows area of the City of Leicester, combines elements of museum and visitor attraction with an educational mission to attract 8-14 year olds to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects using the inspiration of space science and exploration. Since its opening on June 30th 2001, the NSC has welcomed almost 2.5 million visitors to its galleries and full-dome planetarium. Space science research within the UoA was a driving force in the establishment of the NSC and continues to contribute to its success. Members of the Unit serve as non-executive Directors on the NSC Operating Company (OPCO) Board and as Trustees, while others contribute to its Space Now public outreach programme and to the Space Academy teacher engagement project which began in the East Midlands region, but now has national scope. The claimed impact is not only related to outreach and quantitative educational outcomes, but also to long-term economic benefit to the City of Leicester, through the regeneration of a brownfield site in a disadvantaged inner-city district, now featuring the development of a science park with the National Space Centre as its focus.
The Planetary and Space Sciences (PSS) research group at The Open University has designed, built and deployed space flight instrumentation that is at the core of several iconic ESA (European Space Agency) missions. Following on from that work, the OU team has led and supported UK academia-industry consortia tendering to undertake ESA funded projects preparing for future missions. The work undertaken by these consortia has influenced ESA policy and practice, and helped enterprises in the UK Space Sector to attract significant funding, win contracts to supply ESA with goods and services, and move into new areas of business.
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.
Lancaster undertakes fundamental research into the space plasma environments. AuroraWatch UK, a spin-out of this research, provides a free service alerting when aurorae may be visible from the UK. The number of AuroraWatch subscribers has increased significantly from 22,000 in 2008 to over 109,000 at present. A survey by the Royal Astronomical Society suggests that AuroraWatch is very effective in promoting interest in science. As a result of subscribing to AuroraWatch, 3667 respondents watch science on television, 4437 read science magazines, websites and blogs, 524 now study science, 865 participate in citizen-science projects, and 1400 listed other changes in their behaviour (e.g. aurora sightseeing trips). The AuroraWatch School programme involves 1800 pupils across UK.
Research carried out by Dr Helen Mason, University of Cambridge, on solar space projects such as SoHO, Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), led to increased public interest in astronomy, space science, physics and mathematics, and has inspired school students to study science subjects, which should ultimately enhance the UK's technical and scientific expertise. This impact was achieved via sustained engagement activities including public lectures, work with the media and the Sun|trek project. Sun|trek (www.suntrek.org) is an educational website informed by Dr Mason's research targeted at UK teachers and school students about the Sun and its effect on the Earth's environment. Sun|trek also attracted a large user base in the USA, Australia, India and worldwide.
UCL's discoveries of the existence of magnetic flux ropes in the solar atmosphere and their link to sunquake generation have stimulated public interest in science and led to a large volume of engagement activities. Since 2008, there has been a high demand for public and schools talks related to research conducted by staff within the Department of Space and Climate Physics — also known as the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) — with attendees being inspired and gaining increased knowledge. Teaching resources and talks at teacher training events have enabled teachers to include MSSL research in inspirational science lessons. Sustained and on-going relationships have been developed with local schools, adult education groups, the media and the local community; for example, at the 2009 MSSL open day visitors from the local area benefited from raised awareness and improved knowledge about space science.
Space has been identified as an area of economic growth by the UK Government as a direct result of the 2010 Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) for Space. This study has resulted in a transformational change with the formation of the UK Space Agency, significantly increased investment and new opportunities. The Unit contributed critically to the IGS and resulting actions by stressing the underpinning nature of academic space research and providing academic lead on key recommendations of the IGS and its subsequent technology plan. The research has also significantly impacted a number of companies increasing their research and development and economic bases e.g. a Leicester based SME Magna Parva Ltd.
Work since 1993 at Imperial College has led to a novel generic approach to Separation Science called: Label Free Intrinsic Imaging (LFII) — with applications in high throughput proteomics, metabolomics, analytical chemistry, health care diagnostics and genomics. LFII was commercialised by Imperial spin-out deltaDOT Ltd in Nov 2000. Sales of LFII products by deltaDOT have been made to various sectors including pharmaceutical, analytical and diagnostic companies. The average annual turnover of deltaDOT Ltd in the REF period was >£600k per annum and the net worth and total assets in 2012 were £569,595 and £808,027, respectively. The deltaDOT technology has been adopted by the US multi-million dollar DARPA-funded [Defense Advanced Research Project Agency] rapid-vaccine development programme. In 2009 an affiliate company, deltaDOT QSTP-LLC, was formed in Qatar, developing a world-class proteomics research and testing facility in Doha also entirely based on the LFII technology. Since its formation deltaDOT QSTP-LLC has generated total revenues of >$10M.