Since 2011, the UK Government in partnership with Innovate UK has aimed to establish a world-class R&D network that brings together public and private sector research in deep, long-term collaborations. Known as ‘Catapults’, they foster partnerships between businesses and universities and turn the best of UK science into solutions that drive economic growth.

Liz Sparrow, a partner in our architecture practice is leading a multidisciplinary team as part of a three-year framework with The Satellite Application Catapult in Harwell. We’re combining our experience and expertise to provide comprehensive design and management services across a wide range of awe-inspiring projects.

What are Catapults?

Catapults are unique national assets. There are nine across the UK in over 50 locations, focusing on unique sectors from cell and gene therapy to offshore renewable energy and medicine discovery. They work closely with universities to help the UK’s research and innovation sectors thrive, delivering science and technology through testing, adopting and scaling cutting-edge research.

As the frontline of the UK R&D innovation ecosystem, the Catapults must continually evolve to remain at the cutting edge.”

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 2023

Benefits On Earth Through Infrastructure In Space

The Satellite Application Catapult (SAC) technology and innovation centre in Harwell in South Oxfordshire has a mission to innovate for a better world, empowered by space.

SAC brings together business and Academia to explore new technologies and services, engage with markets and identify the very biggest space-related challenges. These collaborations uncover opportunities and source funding to help fix them. The expert Catapult team provides access to facilities, tailored business support and technical expertise that wouldn’t otherwise be available.

Ridge is supporting SAC on Planet Earth

To be able to deliver these Big Science projects, the Harwell Catapult works alongside on-the-ground partners. Specialist prototyping and manufacturing facilities and unique testing platforms require state-of-the-art solutions, implemented by suppliers who understand the science and specific project needs.

“We’ll be supplying design and management services to SAC across a vast range of innovative projects” says Liz Sparrow. “Everyone at Ridge is very proud to be the sole supplier providing instrumental solutions in this three-year development framework.”

I am delighted Ridge has become part of our team. Their expertise will infuse our projects with a greater depth of knowledge and skill, elevating our ability to innovate for a better world empowered by space at pace.  Head of SAC Estates and Facilities management, Donna Johnston

The constant pipeline of exciting projects that flows from within the innovation centre needs to be financially assessed by means of feasibility studies to demonstrate that they stack up. “We’re going to be involved from the start of some really exciting projects” said Liz, “from replicating the moon’s surface in a vast shed to enable the testing of robotics; fitting out workplace requirements for specialist tenants; and designing a concrete yard to be used as a rocket-testing ground”.

This is an exciting time for the Satellite Applications Catapult as they lead the charge in the UK for space-related solutions. For our multidisciplinary team, it is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in this invigorating and innovative environment.

To read more about Science and Research projects at Ridge follow this link.

Contact Liz at lsparrow@ridge.co.uk