FAIR-SPACE Robotics Summit

Future AI & Robotics in Space (FAIR-SPACE) is teaming up with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK Space Agency (UKSA), Satellite Applications Catapult, and National Robotics Network (NRN) to host a unique one-day international summit on the key influences and core questions advancing innovation in space robotics.

Acknowledging an exciting time for the space sector, the agenda showcases cutting-edge research inspired by the exacting demands of working in this extreme environment—and the transformative impact to come from developments in robotics and autonomous systems. Bringing together academic, government and commercial innovators from around the world the aim is to chart a roadmap for the development. Advances to be featured include new capabilities for autonomous systems, wearables that enhance astronaut safety, intelligent human to robotic teleoperation, and state of the art systems engineering. Staged discussions will explore and get beyond ambitions for space exploration: anticipating how space infrastructure will continually enhance our knowledge of the earth and serve the many industries that progressively impact our everyday lives; They will also examine the many industrial opportunities to apply space robotics terrestrially. Discussions will form the basis of a policy report to be published and shared with delegates following the event.

Agenda:

OPENING
9:00 – 9:15 - FAIR-SPACE Introduction,
Prof. Samia Nefti-Meziani, Prof. Sir Martin Sweeting OBE, Jeremy Hadall

KEYNOTE
9:15 – 9:30 - UK Space Agency, Daniel Jones

INDUSTRY KEYNOTE
9:30 – 09:50 - Satellite Applications Catapult, Jeremy Hadall

09:50 – 10:05 - University of Surrey, Prof. Yang Gao FIET FRAeS

10:05 - 10.20 - FAIR-SPACE Hub, Prof. Samia Nefti-Meziani

10:20 – 10:35 - Imperial College London, Prof. Etienne Burdet

COFFEE AND NETWORKING BREAK

10:50 - 11.05 - University of Edinburgh, Dr. Alex Li

11:05 – 11:20 - University of Manchester, Michael Fisher

11:20 – 11:35 - University of Warwick, Prof. Carsten Maple FBCS

11:35– 11:45 - Professor David Lane PhD CBE FREng FRSE

LUNCH

12:45 – 14:15 - Space Industry Roadmap || Forum Discussion

Dan Jones, Technology Manager UK, Space Agency (UKSA)
Dr. Sue Keay, Founder & Chair, Robotics Australia Group
Dr. Stella Alexandrova, Commercialisation Director, S-Cosmos
Philippe Schoonejans, Project Manager (Human & Robotic Exploration), ESA
Erick Dupuis, Director, Space Exploration Development, Canadian Space Agency
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting OBE FRS FREng FIET FRAeS, Director FAIR-SPACE Hub
Professor Richard Holdaway, Chairman & Chief Executive, Cambridge Space Associates
David Kenyon, Managing Director, UKMDA
Roger Ward, CTO, Thales Alenia Space UK

14:15 – 15:45 - Industry Cross Sector || Forum Discussion

Mike Curtis-Rouse, Head of Access to Space, Satellite Applications Catapult
Rob Buckingham, Director, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAE)
Dr Steve Walters FRSC, FAPM, Principal Consultant - Radiation Effects, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)
Mark Emerton, Senior Innovation Lead - Robotics & AI, UKRI
Andrew Ludar-Smith, Technical Director, Resolve Robotics
Andrew Kuh, Exploration Technology Manager, UK Space Agency

BREAK

16:05 – 17:05 - Skills and Training || Forum Discussion

Ray Stott, Co-Founder & International Liaison Manager, SpaceSpecialists Ltd
Phil Carvil, HealthTec Cluster Development Manager - UK Research and Innovation, STFC
Alastair Barrow, CEO Generic Robotics
Capt. Bryant Mishima-Baker, Attorney, United States Air Force (USAF)
Phil Atkinson, Co-Founder, 4wardFutures
Łukasz Wilczyńsk, CEO, Planet Partners
James Kell, Robotics Technical Director, Jacobs

17:05 – 17:10 - Closing Remarks,
Professor Samia Nefti-Meziani
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting OBE

DRINKS RECEPTION