World Space Week 2024, celebrated from October 4th to 10th, brings attention to a pressing global issue—climate change. This year's theme, "Space & Climate Change," emphasises the pivotal role space technology plays in understanding, mitigating, and adapting to environmental shifts. Across the globe, satellites and space technology have become indispensable tools for monitoring our planet's health, and the UK is at the forefront of these advancements.

The Power of Space in Climate Action

In the past few decades, space technology has revolutionised the way we monitor the environment. Satellites now track everything from deforestation and polar ice melt to sea level rise and atmospheric CO2 levels. They provide real-time data that governments, scientists, and climate agencies rely on to shape policies and strategies aimed at combating climate change. For example, Earth observation satellites provide critical insights that are crucial for forecasting extreme weather events, understanding agricultural productivity, and managing natural disasters.

The theme of World Space Week 2024, "Space & Climate Change," underscores how innovations in space technology are driving climate action. But one nation in particular is playing a notable role in this endeavor: the UK.

The UK Space Sector’s Role in Climate Monitoring

The UK space industry has grown significantly in recent years, with the sector now contributing £17.5 billion to the UK economy annually. Employing over 47,000 people, the industry is a hub for cutting-edge research and development. At the heart of this boom is a concentrated effort to use space technologies to address environmental challenges. The UK Space Agency, in collaboration with private industry and academic institutions, has prioritised satellite technology that advances climate research and monitoring capabilities.

The UK is home to world-leading satellite manufacturers and data analytics companies that provide invaluable insights into environmental changes. One of the key programs supported by the UK Space Agency is the development of Earth observation satellites designed to improve our understanding of global climate systems. These satellites offer detailed data on:

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Sea level fluctuations
• Deforestation patterns
• Ocean health and biodiversity

In fact, the UK Space Agency has been heavily investing in satellite systems and technologies that enable precise climate monitoring. As part of its National Space Strategy, the UK aims to enhance its capabilities in Earth observation, building on its partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA) and other international organisations.

Key Investments in Satellite Technology for Climate Monitoring

In recent years, the UK government and its space agency have ramped up funding towards satellite technology to meet the challenges posed by climate change. For example:

1. Copernicus Earth Observation Program – The UK has remained a key contributor to the Copernicus program, one of the most advanced Earth observation systems in the world. Copernicus satellites monitor global climate data and offer open-access information that assists with everything from weather forecasting to long-term climate modeling.
2. £5 Billion Investment in Space Technologies – As part of the National Space Strategy, the UK government has committed to significant investments, including £5 billion over the next 10 years. Much of this funding is directed towards Earth observation, satellite communication, and environmental monitoring technologies, which directly support climate action.
3. International Collaboration – The UK Space Agency is also working on initiatives such as the ClimateSpace partnership, which brings together various international stakeholders to use satellite data to address climate issues. Collaborating with global agencies ensures the UK remains a key player in monitoring and addressing climate-related challenges.

 

Real-World Impact: Satellites in Action

Several UK-based companies and satellites are already making a difference. The UK’s NovaSAR-1 satellite, for instance, uses radar technology to monitor the Earth's surface regardless of weather conditions or daylight. This satellite has been used to track deforestation in the Amazon, a critical task in the fight against climate change.

Additionally, companies like Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and Earth-i are developing small, affordable satellites that can provide high-resolution Earth imaging, enabling more precise climate data. These innovations help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global efforts to monitor and combat climate change.

The Future of Space and Climate Action

As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, space technology will play an increasingly vital role in providing solutions. Oxfordshire-based business, Space Solar, hopes to launch the first solar farm into space with plans to power more than a million homes by the 2030s with mile-wide complex of mirrors and solar panels orbiting 22,000 miles above the planet. The innovative CASSIOPeiA design, tested successfully at Queen's University Belfast, demonstrated the ability to wirelessly beam energy from space to Earth. Space solar panels capture 13 times more energy than ground-based panels due to higher light intensity and the absence of atmospheric interference. This could revolutionise renewable energy systems and significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Conclusion

As climate change intensifies, space technology will become increasingly essential. The UK’s investments in satellite technology and innovations like space-based solar power offer transformative solutions to environmental challenges. By leveraging space to monitor and mitigate climate impacts, the UK is shaping a sustainable future for both its economy and the planet.

 

If you’re a Civil, Structural, Mechanical or Electrical Engineer, the UK space industry is recruiting. Should you take the plunge?  
 
It’s certainly worth considering, as it’s a rapidly evolving industry bursting with technological advancement, exciting opportunities, and excellent working conditions. 
 
Space is also a sector experiencing an immense amount of growth, spurred by developments in space tourism, satellite technology, and exploration missions. This has resulted in soaring demand for engineering professionals from a wide cross-section of industries, ones who naturally possess complementary and transferable skills.  

Here you will uncover a few reasons why you should consider a move into the UK space industry, alongside some of the ground-breaking work you can do in a field filled with infinite possibilities, ones that continually push the limits of human knowledge and capability.  
 

Why Consider a Move into The UK Space Industry? 

The UK space industry is facing an uphill recruitment battle. It’s rapidly growing (77% of space companies are expanding, while the UK government has set a target of 100,000 new space jobs by 2030), but it’s also facing a large engineering talent shortage.  
 
A huge 80% of companies surveyed in the Space Sector Skills Survey 2023 said they had struggles recruiting the talent they need, with close to 70% saying the top reason was they didn’t have enough applicants.  
 
This bodes extremely well for your chances of success in landing engineering jobs in the UK space industry. It also gives you a little extra leverage when it comes to remuneration and benefits negotiation.   
 
While that is a great reason in itself to consider a job in the space sector, there are numerous others.  
 
You’ll have an opportunity to build a dynamic, challenging and impactful career, right at the forefront of technological advancement. You’ll contribute to significant scientific and pioneering projects like spacecraft design, satellite technology, and maybe even habitats for other planets. Reusable rockets, novel propulsion systems, satellite in-orbit servicing – the examples are endless! 
 
Many engineers initially decide on their career path as it offers them a chance to make an impact, whether directly on their community or on a global scale. In the UK space industry, you have the prospect to do a little (or a lot) of both. Some space sector initiatives improve communication networks or monitor environmental changes, while others give you the opportunity to get involved with missions that exponentially advance human knowledge.   
 
In addition, you will have an abundance of choices in the types of companies you could join. There are nearly 1,600 UK organisations with confirmed space-related activities, according to the UK Space Industry 2022 report. There are the big players, like Airbus Defence and Space, and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, but a growing number of smaller outfits and start-ups too.   
 
If you’re concerned with your lack of space-related knowledge, almost three-quarters (72%) of the organisations surveyed in the government’s Space Sector report said they provide on-the-job training, both formal (92%) and informal (84%).  
 
As for working conditions, you’ll enjoy plenty of interdisciplinary collaboration with a diverse range of professionals, from scientists to IT experts, to further enhance your knowledge base and skillsets.  
 

What Type of Engineering Work Can I Do in The UK Space Industry? 

If you have an engineering background, there is a wealth of exciting career opportunities in the UK's space sector. Here are a few examples: 
 

Civil and Structural Engineers

Civil and Structural Engineers can get involved in designing and constructing facilities, such as launch pads, spaceports, and ground stations, as well as ground facilities for satellite manufacturing, testing, and control centres.  
 
For ground-based satellite facilities, Civil Engineers can assess and mitigate environmental impacts. 

If you like research and development, you could also work with space-related infrastructure agencies or companies specifically focused on this. 
 
Specific skillsets you can use: 
 
1.Your deep understanding of structural integrity is crucial for designing and analysing space infrastructure. 
2. Your materials science knowledge, particularly how they behave under various conditions including extreme environments, is very useful when selecting appropriate materials for spacecraft and other space structures. 
3. Your expertise in sustainable design and environmental impact assessments is important as the space industry increasingly focuses on these vital areas. 
4. Your risk analysis and mitigation proficiency, perhaps from working in construction or civil engineering, can be applied to identifying and addressing potential risks in space missions. For example, minimising vibrations is important for spacecraft during the launch, orbit, and landing phases. 

 

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical Engineers contribute to the design and construction of spacecraft, satellites and rovers, but can also specialise in the development of spacecraft propulsion systems, or managing spaceships’ thermal and fluid systems. 
 
Specific skillsets you can use: 
1. Your design and analytical skills to make adjustments and/or improvements to mechanical systems for spacecraft, satellites and exploration rovers. 
2. Your thermal and fluid dynamics knowledge to design and manage systems that operate efficiently. 
3. Your expertise in advanced manufacturing processes, which are important for producing high-quality and reliable components for space missions. 
4. You may have mechatronics and robotics experience which can be applied to the development of space rovers, robotic arms spaceships, and other automated systems used in space exploration. 
 

Electrical Engineers

As an Electrical Engineer, you can get involved in the design and maintenance of satellites and communications, or work on the electronic systems that control spacecraft, including sensors and control mechanisms – both essential for space missions. 
 
You can also develop spacecraft and space station power systems utilising solar arrays and battery technologies. 
 
Specific skillsets you can use: 
1. Your skills in designing and integrating complex electrical circuits can be applied to spacecraft electronics and power systems. 
2. Your expertise in signal processing and communications is vital for satellite communications and data transmission from space missions. 
3. Your experience in designing and working with sensors and instrumentation is critical for data collection and analysis in space explorations. 
 

Are There Other Engineering Skills I Can Use In A Space Career? 

No matter your field of engineering, it’s likely you will have a cache of transferable skills that are vital in a space career.  
 
From our perspective as an engineering recruiter, we can confidently say there’s been a significant shift in the emphasis employers place on soft skills, often over technical skills, which can mostly be developed on the job.  
 
Your transferable engineering skills include: 
· Problem-solving for tackling complex and unstructured problems (a frequent occurrence in space projects) 
· Innovation, creativity, and analytical thinking are all core abilities in developing and working with new technologies for space applications. 
· Teamwork and collaboration allows you to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams. 
·  Project management acumen, especially around managing timelines and resources, crucial skills for long-duration, high-cost and high-risk space programmes.  
·  Adaptability and flexibility are both highly valued abilities in the rapidly evolving space field. 
 

How Do I Find Space Engineering Jobs in the UK? 

From innovative work on cutting-edge projects to a growing industry with a profusion of career opportunities, there are many compelling reasons to consider making a switch to the UK space industry as an engineer.  
 
The quickest path to finding the best space engineering jobs the UK has to offer is to engage with a specialist space engineeringrecruiter. Here at Alexander Associates, we’ve invested a significant amount of time and effort in building relationships with many of the UK’s leading space companies. Please connect withone of our experts to find out more about the space roles we have on offer, or to discuss what a switch to the space industry might look like for you.