The Airbus Defence and Space Innovation Day was recently hosted at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, based on Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

The day consisted of Harwell residents, startups and SMEs pitching their own innovative solution to one of two predetermined challenges.

The first challenge was the development of technologies that enable robotic assembly of massive structures in space. The second was creating applications for Vision-1 high resolution satellite imagery.

Over the course of the day, the panel heard several incredible pitches, each of which proposing their own unique solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the industry.

Massive congratulations to Extend Robotics and Agtelligence who won challenge one and two respectively! As a result, Extend Robotic have been awarded a study contract and Agtelligence a high-resolution data package of Vision-1 imagery!

Extend Robotics joined the ESA BIC UK programme in May 2023 and are extending human capability beyond physical presence. Winners of challenge two, Agtelligence, recently graduated from the ESA BIC UK programme and have become a tenant with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and therefore still benefitting from pitching opportunities like this one available in the ecosystem.

The day was a great success, with Airbus Defence and Space showing interest in further engagement with 10 of the companies. This event was in conjunction with Airbus’ new CUSP initiative, which aims to build upon and improve their relationship with the wider UK space ecosystem.

The ESA BIC UK at Harwell Campus proudly sits within a thriving space ecosystem, including the growing Harwell Space Cluster, led by STFC’s Gemma Wilson.

Thank you to Airbus, who provided the fantastic opportunity for ESA BIC UK companies to showcase their innovative technologies and solutions.