* Astronomy

SSTL celebrates 30th anniversary of groundbreaking satellite UoSAT-1

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is today celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of Surrey's first satellite, UoSAT-1. Launched into orbit on 6th October 1981, UoSAT-1 was designed and built by a team from the University of Surrey led by SSTL founder Sir Martin Sweeting.
SSTL exploited the rapid advances being made in the late 1970's in microelectronics to enable the team to build a tiny but sophisticated satellite using the technology found in everyday consumer products. As a result, UoSAT-1 was much cheaper, lighter and quicker to build than comparable existing satellites and so the first modern 'microsatellite' was born.
Read more

A UK firm believes its latest satellite design can dramatically reduce the cost of high resolution space imagery.
SSTL says the spacecraft would map the Earth's surface at resolutions typically found in virtual globe programs, at 60cm/pixel.
The company claims the whole system could be built and launched for $70m rather than the roughly $500m it costs to put up more conventional spacecraft.

Read more

Guildford-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) clearly sees benefit to the UK space industry following this weeks ESA Ministerial. The UKs decision to support both the programme for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and the technology development programme ARTES, will ensure a much stronger position for UK industry within the global market.
Previous investment in space by the UK government resulted in a ten fold return on investment and helped place SSTL as the worlds premier supplier of small satellites. SSTL employs 300 staff across three sites in south-east England, and is currently building the Companys 41st spacecraft.

Read more