Space technology transfer handled by SFTC

STFC Innovations - the technology transfer office of the Science & Technology Facilities Council - has been selected to lead the European Space Agency’s tech transfer programme in the UK.

Space technology from the XXM-Newton mirrors is now being used in ultra-high resolution photolithography to produce the latest semiconductor chips Credit: ESA / A Van Der Geest

This will see them identify opportunities to exploit ESA’s technology, expertise and know-how to create social and economic impact in non-space sectors. They will work closely with space science organisations across the UK and with STFC’s Space Science Technology Department, which already provides research and technology development for ESA and other space organisations.

Tim Bestwick, chief executive of STFC Innovations said: “In the current climate all organisations are even more aware of the need to share their experience and knowledge. A new technology is usually developed to meet a specific need, but can often have many more uses which could be exploited. We are delighted to be able to work with ESA to explore where we can share the fruits of their and other organisation’s research to develop new technologies, products and services that will benefit both the UK and European economy and wider society.”

The transfer of space technologies into non-space applications can have many benefits for people on Earth. ESA’s technologies have been used in a wide number of areas including improvement of air purification in hospital intensive care wards, producing enhanced materials for sports equipment such as running shoes, to monitoring offshore oil and gas fields, and helping manufacturers to develop or improve new and existing products.

Frank Salzgeber, Head of the Technology Transfer Programme Office at ESA said: “We are delighted to have STFC Innovations Ltd as the ESA technology broker in the UK. Together we will help UK industry to benefit from the space technology already developed and the many projects presently underway.”