Unique course about space industry offers business people understanding not confusion

Tuesday 3 April 2012

The ‘Basics of Space’ Course will be held at the International Space Innovation Centre - Surrey (ISIC-Surrey) which is based at the Surrey Research on the university campus.
An insight into the scientific background to the space industry is a great advantage when dealing with firms in this sector and the course is designed to be a unique way of understanding the science but without going into obscure of confusing details so its ideal for a non-specialist audience.
The government has also been very proactive in its approach to the space industry sector and has championed the industry is growing in real terms by around 10 per cent every year. With an annual turnover of £7.5 billion, the industry directly employs 25,000 people, and has a six per cent share of the global market.
The course will be led by Professor Vaios Lappas, of Surrey Space Centre at the university, and aims to give a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding this awe inspiring, lucrative and powerful industry.
The one-day course on June 27 will provide delegates with an introduction to the basic aspects of space, giving an overview of the technical, managerial and economic challenges and issues related to space activities/projects.
The course is intended for the non-technical audience who currently work in the space industry, or who are joining a space company or institute. It will provide a comprehensive, non technical overview of all factors that impact the design, operation, financing and management of space projects and activities.
Delegates can expect to leave the course with knowledge of:

• Technical Challenges in space;
• Space History, How did we get here?
• Space Applications;
• Economics of Space
• Managing Space Projects
• Space Policy/Law and the future of space

The course will be delivered at ISIC Surrey, Surrey Technology Centre, Research Park, Guildford GU2 7EF on 27th June 2012. Timing: 9am – 5pm.

Delegate cost: £50 ISIC Surrey members, £75 non members. Price includes a full day’s catering and reading materials.

To register please email Julia Hart, Senior Project Manager: j.hart@surrey.ac.uk. This course is expected to be very popular, spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Notes to Editors:

The Space Innovation & Growth Strategy – drawn up by government, industry and academia – is targeting an increase in UK space industry turnover to £40 billion a year, with the aim of employing 100,000 people and increasing the global market share to 10 per cent. And, in the 2011 Chancellor’s Budget, £10 million funding was made available to support new technologies used in spacecraft systems.