NESCA awards first round of innovation funding to seven space communications and tech projects
The North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA) has awarded its first round of innovation funding, providing seven space communications and technology projects with almost £340,000 in funding.
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPSRC), the project launched six months ago and brings together Northumbria, Durham and Newcastle universities alongside the North East Combined Authority, Space North East England and the North East Space Leadership Group.
The first round of funding will support projects including three led by Northumbria University academics.
NESCA Project Lead Professor Vincent Barrioz, from Northumbria’s School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, comments: "These first awards demonstrate NESCA's commitment to translating world-class research into real-world impact. We're particularly pleased to see such strong leadership from Early Career Researchers and the level of industry engagement across all projects. This funding will accelerate innovation in space communications whilst creating high-skilled jobs and driving economic growth in the North East."
Dr Matthew Townson, who leads SkyScan, one of the successful projects, adds: “SkyScan uses the same techniques astronomers use to photograph distant stars and galaxies to help track satellites and space junk orbiting Earth. By improving our ability to spot and monitor these objects, SkyScan will help prevent collisions in space and make satellite operations safer.”
Another Northumbria project, Gallium Oxide Antimony Tri-Selenide broadband photodetector for resilient Space communications, has also been selected.
Dr Stepehen Cambell, who leads the project, adds: “This project develops advanced light-detection technology that can withstand the extreme conditions of space, including intense radiation and temperature fluctuations. By using specially designed materials, the system will enable more reliable satellite communications in harsh environments where standard equipment would fail, helping to ensure continuous connectivity for critical space missions.”
Other funded projects include Newcastle University’s Quantum Light Source for Ultra-Secure Satellite Links and Durham University’s Retro-modulated Free-space Link, Prototype Development of an Optical PAT System for Low-Latency In-Space Opportunities, and Geopolitical Analysis in Space Domain.
