Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)

Another arty industrial shot from a space professional.. SSTL's Kepler manufacturing building as captured by Alex da Silva Curiel

This year SSTL celebrates 40 years and an amazing journey, and so does our very own Steve Eckersley. In 1985 – the year SSTL was formed - a young Steve stood on Wembley's field before a huge roaring crowd of almost 100k fans, representing Leigh Schoolboys Under-11’s at Rugby League in a curtain raiser ahead of the Rugby League Challenge Cup final. Fast forward to today and Steve is still making an impact – though this time shaping the future of our satellite missions as Head of Mission Concepts. After earning his BSc in Physics and Space Science and MSc in Spacecraft Technology and Satellite Communications from UCL, Steve began his career at Airbus, where he worked for many years, mainly as a Mission Systems Engineer on future Space Science and Earth Observation missions but also as a Payload Interface Engineer on the ESA LISA Pathfinder and Solar Orbiter Missions, before eventually bringing his expertise to SSTL’s Mission Concepts team in 2015. "I’ve spent over 27 years in the space industry, all of it within the Airbus Group, from my early days in engineering to leading mission concepts at SSTL," Steve reflects. "It’s been an incredible ride, and I've had the privilege of working alongside brilliant minds dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space. The space industry has transformed dramatically since 1998, but the sense of wonder and commitment to innovation has remained constant throughout." Join us in recognising Steve’s incredible journey and his contribution to SSTL’s mission to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space!

Very nice to see SSTL's Philip Davies FRAeS at the London Excel today at Space-Comm Expo, pictured here (top right of pic) speaking on the Lunar Exploration - Missions, Technologies and Industry Trends Panel.

Great Lunar focused programme from CGTN Europe as part of their Razor series.. and very nice to see SSTL's Prof. Sir Martin Sweeting & Lily Forward prominently featured discussing the lunar economy and showing Neil Cairns around our Lunar Pathfinder satellite in splendid repose in our main cleanroom. Link to full video in comments below.

Very nice this week to host visitors from the Taiwan Space Agency－TASA. We have a long and productive history with TASA.. having built the platforms for the FORMOSAT-7 weather monitoring constellation launched in 2019.. and look forward to collaborating together on future projects.

Check out a selection of SSTL's fantastic women squinting in the Spring sunshine and giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up to this years International Women's Day! (March 8th).

Who said Space Engineers neglect their artistic side? Lovely pic here from SSTL's Andrew Haslehurst.. taken early this morning as he strode into our main office building. The leafy Surrey Research Park foliage and our Kepler manufacturing facility (and Antenna) being nicely captured in the reflected glass.

Check out work experience student Gemma Haslehurst pictured below with both a satellite model (in reception) and the real thing (in our cleanroom.) Gemma worked in both Marketing and AIT.. and did a great job. Good luck with your studies, Gemma!

Check out this pic of two of the SSTL Dave's (Gibbon & Howe).. who were delighted to fly the Surrey Satellite & Space industry flags at the recent careers day at Midhurst Rother College (MRC).

Very nice to attend a reception today at the Surrey Research Park in honour of the 'Women of the Park' they are celebrating this year. SSTL's Sarah Lawrence, Kirsten Parry & Lily Forward - pictured below - were amongst our featured women. Kudos and well done to everyone celebrated.. and to the Research Park for this fantastic initiative.