Key Takeaways
- Catapult and Voyager are collaborating on space technology developments, including in-orbit manufacturing and AI integration.
- The global ISAM market is projected to reach £10 billion by 2030, with the UK aiming for a £2.7 billion share by 2031.
- Voyager emphasizes the importance of in-orbit servicing for a sustainable presence in space and for future economic growth.
Collaboration Announcement
Catapult and the U.S.-based Voyager have announced a collaborative initiative aimed at advancing space technology. The partnership will explore multiple avenues, including in-orbit manufacturing, materials development, and advanced robotics, while also focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and capabilities to support future space stations.
The companies note that the global In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) market is on track to grow to £10 billion by 2030. The UK is positioned to capture a significant share of this market, estimated to be around 25 percent, which would equate to approximately £2.7 billion by 2031.
Voyager’s President of Space Solutions, Marshall Smith, underscored the importance of maintaining a sustained human presence in space, stating, “In-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing is a critical enabler of this future.” Smith expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Catapult, highlighting the collaboration as a key step in strengthening ties between the U.S. and UK space industries.
John Abbott, CEO of Catapult, emphasized the strategic significance of ISAM for the UK space sector. He remarked that the UK hosts numerous companies and research institutions pioneering ISAM technologies. Abbott believes that fully leveraging these strengths could turn ISAM into a major growth area for the UK economy. He described the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Voyager as a pivotal development for the entire ISAM sector, opening the door to innovative projects that could benefit the UK space industry.
In a related context, Cardiff-based Space Forge signed a separate MoU with Voyager Space last November to support in-space research and manufacturing. Space Forge is working on its ForgeStar platform, which aims to facilitate microgravity experiments and manufacturing capabilities.
Overall, this collaboration marks a significant step in the exploration and advancement of space technology, potentially transforming the landscape of the UK and global space sectors.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.
