Champagne was flowing as SSTL won the Times Higher Educational Supplement Awards 2006 category of "Outstanding Contribution to Innovation & Technology" at a ceremony in London last Wednesday night, recognising the successful spin-out from academic research at the University of Surrey.

The prize, which was sponsored by Toshiba, was awarded to SSTL in a unanimous decision by the judging panel. The Times Higher Education Supplement reported the comments of David Way, director of innovation platforms and key technologies at the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the award, "clear technological innovation in a very demanding environment - space".

SSTL has been at the forefront of small satellite development for many years and its staff have recently celebrated their progress with the 25th anniversary of the research and development microsatellite that started it all, UoSAT-1 (University of Surrey satellite). UoSAT-1 was designed and built by a small research team at the University and launched free-of-charge as a 'piggy-back' payload through a collaborative arrangement with NASA on a DELTA rocket in 1981.

Following the launch of the second university research satellite UoSAT-2 in 1984, SSTL was formed and developed the microsatellite concept into a commercial product. Fifteen years and some 20 satellites later, SSTL launched the international Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) satellites for Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey & UK which has proved a remarkable success.

Commenting on the award, SSTL CEO Sir Martin said, "We have come a long way since developing UoSAT-1 at the University of Surrey. At that time we recognised the business potential for exploiting the emerging microelectronics technologies to develop small yet capable satellites that would change the economics of space - making space more accessible to businesses and developing nations. SSTL is now recognised as not only a worldwide leader in small satellite technology but also as a highly professional organisation and capable commercial prime contractor."

The relationship between SSTL and the University of Surrey is a mutually beneficial arrangement, with close collaboration on research maintaining a pool of ideas and intellectual stimulation suited to a company built firmly on competitive innovation. Sir Martin expanded upon this point, "...Whilst the Company has grown dramatically, we recognise the benefits of working closely with the University of Surrey in both research and training - a recent example being the combined academic and technical training of 25 Nigerians to secure the future of Nigeria's space programme."

SSTL have enjoyed a season of awards - just last month Sir Martin received the Royal Institute of Navigation's gold medal presented by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh for an outstanding contribution to navigation, made by SSTL’s GIOVE-A Galileo test satellite successfully launched for ESA last December.

SSTL's team in Abuja, Nigeria are pleased to announce that the NigeriaSat-2 contract was signed this morning by the Minister of Science & Technology of Nigeria Prof. Turner Isoun, Prof. Boroffice (Director General NASRDA) and SSTL CEO Sir Martin Sweeting.

The Minister congratulated SSTL on the performance of NigeriaSat-1, the training of Nigerian personnel and for enabling Nigeria to take its first steps into space for the benefit of the nation: he now looks forward to building on this excellent relationship with SSTL to make NigeriaSat-2 an even greater success.

NigeriaSat-2 promises to provide valuable services to Nigeria and to Africa, such as monitoring water resources and assisting the response to natural disasters.

The signing ceremony was attended by about 100 people including TV and press. A celebration lunch is now about to commence hosted by NASRDA and this evening Sir Richard Gozeny will host a dinner at the the UK High Commission for the Minister, Permanent Secretary, DG NASRDA, SSTL & TeleSat.

SSTL have just signed a contract in Abuja for the supply of the NIGERIASAT-2 Earth observation satellite, related ground infrastructure and a training programme to further establish a national indigenous space capability in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The selection of SSTL by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria follows a detailed technical evaluation and due diligence undertaken by NASRDA's procurement advisor, Telesat of Canada, confirming the UK company's position as the world-leading supplier of advanced operational small satellites.

The new 300kg satellite, for launch in 2009, will provide Nigeria with valuable geographically referenced high-resolution satellite imaging for applications in mapping, water resources management, agricultural land use, population estimation, health hazard monitoring and disaster mitigation and management.

By signing this contract with SSTL, Nigeria takes another large step in the development of their National Space Plan, building upon the existing NIGERIASAT-1 Earth Observation microsatellite supplied by SSTL in 2003 and the NIGCOMSAT-1 communications satellite currently being built by China for launch in 2008.

Commenting on the contract with SSTL, NASRDA's Director General, Professor Robert Boroffice, stated that, "this contract is the next step in Nigeria's long term plans to use space for the benefit of Nigeria and Africa. We are convinced that space provides a cost-effective means of addressing many of the issues facing African nations - such as mapping, water resources management, agricultural land use monitoring, population estimation, health hazard monitoring and disaster mitigation and management."

SSTL will develop NIGERIASAT-2 based upon its new generation of high-resolution Earth observation satellites to provide affordable access to space, using the latest advanced small satellite technologies developed from the TOPSAT and Beijing-1 missions launched successfully last year.

Commenting on the contract award, SSTL's CEO Sir Martin Sweeting noted, "I am delighted that NASRDA has decided to continue its successful partnership with SSTL on such a critical operational and training programme for Nigeria. Nigeria is a very valued member of the DMC and its continued cooperation with SSTL and DMCII ensures the operational status of the international DMC is extended even further. NASRDA's decision also confirms SSTL as the world-leading supplier of operational small satellites."

The contract with NASRDA follows "hot on the heels" of the signature by Deimos (Spain) on 10th October 2006 on a contract with SSTL for an EO microsatellite to join the next generation of the international DMC constellation. With NIGERIASAT-2, Nigeria will also join the second generation DMC, with the satellite being fully controlled from NASRDA's new satellite Mission Control Centre facilities in Abuja.

The DMC owes its success to a unique concept created and led by SSTL whereby each member of the DMC consortium (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Spain, Turkey, UK) owns and operates its own satellite, whilst co-operating with the other DMC members on satellite tasking and image capture to achieve a 24-hour revisit worldwide. The DMC satellites have been manufactured by SSTL and their operation in orbit is coordinated by DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii), a subsidiary of SSTL.

The NIGERIASAT-2 contract adds to an already successful year for SSTL and is expected to create up to 50 new high technology jobs in the UK. Alongside the recent contract with Deimos (Spain) and the successful launches of TOPSAT, Beijing-1 and GIOVE-A missions at the end of 2005, this contract further illustrates SSTL?s ability to manage multiple complex space missions successfully, at low cost and within short delivery timescales.