Innovating for a better world, empowered by satellites.
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centresofexcellence@sa.catapult.org.uk
Satellite Applications Catapult
Our Staff
Malcolm Macdonald is the Director of the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications. His work includes the development and application of space mission systems and space technology, challenging conventional ideas to enable new concepts in the exploration and exploitation of space. He led the development of The International Handbook of Space Technology, a comprehensive handbook providing a holistic understanding of the system-of-systems that is a modern spacecraft. Prior to joining the University of Strathclyde in 2008, he worked at SciSys Ltd., working on several projects throughout the entire life cycle, including ADM-Aeolus and LISA-Pathfinder. Malcolm is also a non-executive member of the UK Space Agency Steering Board, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Sarah Burns is the Centre Manager for the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, and has been with the Centre since its inception in 2014. Sarah is responsible for the running of the Centre; including marketing, events, reporting and all admin. Sarah has worked within Education and support services, both in the UK and abroad before moving into administrative and events roles. With a Masters in Languages and Social Sciences, she has studied and worked abroad and speaks French, German and some basic Japanese.
Sue is SoXSA’s Business Development Manager, based in Glasgow but with a remit for the whole of Scotland. She joined the team in October 2018 after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Space Science. She brings a wealth of business experience from 15 years at IBM, where she performed a variety of roles including contract management, sales, people management, solutioning/pricing and resource leadership. Sue’s mission at SoXSA is to develop the Scottish space sector into a cohesive, ambitious and productive network, helping to driving economic growth and academic excellence. Sue has a Masters in IT and is a PADI Scuba Diving instructor in her spare time.
Jimmy Slaughter is the Solutions Architect and works remotely in Inverness. He leads all of SoXSA’s activities within the Highlands and Islands, working alongside Highlands and Islands Enterprise to raise awareness and increase the use of satellite applications within the region. The focus of the role is to explore opportunities for satellite applications within SoXSA’s themes: Resilience and Sustainability, Energy Systems, and the Blue Economy. Due to the scale and breadth of opportunities within the aquaculture and offshore energy sectors within the region, much of Jimmy’s work isfocused on the Blue Economy. Prior to working at SoXSA, Jimmy was the Commercial Innovation Manager at the Satellite Applications Catapult where he worked closely with the North East Centre of Excellence. He was also part of the original team running the UKSA led Space for Smarter Government Programme and briefly worked on secondment with the Met Office and helped establish Travel Spirit with Transport for Greater Manchester.
Steve is a Knowledge Exchange Fellow with an interest in the mission design, application of space data to terrestrial challenges and industry engagement. Notable projects include the mission analysis for a polar imaging satellite in a highly elliptical orbit concept (collaborators: OHB-Systems AG, funder: European Space Agency), Wind Farm Optimisation for both Operations and Maintenance Forecasting and Power Output (Collaborators: Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, funder: EPSRC) and programme lead on a space-data startup business incubator based in Glasgow (collaborators: Glasgow City Council, funder: UK Space Agency). Prior to joining SoXSA, Steve obtained a PhD in Spacecraft Trajectory Optimisation from the University of Strathclyde and worked at Frazer-Nash Consultancy for 2 years where he worked in various industries including Nuclear, Defence and Rail.
Christopher Lowe is a Research Fellow at SoXSA, having spent time in both the industrial and academic sectors previously. He takes a leading role in developing upstream technologies that are required for enabling new data products, with a focus on space network mission design, nano-satellites and novel approaches to systems engineering. His role includes continuous development of the NANOBED Missions Laboratory, in partnership with AAC-Clyde, and support of new missions from concept assessment to system integration. Prior to joining SoXSA, Christopher was a PhD candidate and Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde, where he carried out research in the fields of inter-satellite networking, data routing, value propositions and uncertainty assessment. From 2008 to 2011, he worked as a Design Engineer at Magna Parva Ltd, where he contributed to the development of payloads on board the ExoMars and BepiColombo Spacecraft.
Pam is a Chartered Engineer with a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Strathclyde. She has experience of various stages of the space lifecycle working within industry (Clyde Space), academia (University of Strathclyde), Catapult Centres (Satellite Applications Catapult and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult) and Space Agencies (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory) over the last 9 years. Pam has a demonstrated ability in Engineering in mission analysis and design, CubeSat development, and aerospace manufacturing in addition to project management (Certified Associate in Project Management), Business Development and Knowledge Exchange. Pam also has a passion for education and outreach and is part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Speakers Programme and a STEM Ambassador.
