The New Era of Space Architecture

Duration: 55 mins
Publication date: 18 Sep 2021

Abstract

"We’re in a renaissance. A transformation of space, that will provide for a new set of capabilities from space; that will serve humankind for generations and generations".

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear from Dan Hart, President & CEO of Virgin Orbit, in conversation with Professor Danielle George MBE, President of the IET.

You’ll hear about how satellite launches have moved from a very narrow, expensive field to being increasingly global and collaborative, with the barriers to entry lowered, and how satellites can now be tailored to the needs of a region or industry.

Learn how the same technology that powers smartphones can also be applied to satellites, what is happening to minimise the environmental impact of space launches, why you might see a launch taking place from an airport anywhere in the world, and how many times faster a rocket’s engine can be built using additive manufacturing.

Part of the IET EngTalks series celebrating our 150th year and putting engineering and technology in the spotlight. Learn more at theiet.org/engtalks

Keywords:: dan hart virgin orbit

engtalk

iet engtalk

iet@150

learn how the same technology that powers smartphones can also be applied to satellites

satellite engineering

space engineering

virgin orbit

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Prestige Lectures

Communications

IET YouTube

Speakers

Professor Danielle George

“As engineers and technicians, I think we all have a duty to talk about our passions to inspire the next generation.”Danielle George is Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering at the University of Manchester and a science communicator. Her expertise in radio frequency engineering and microwave communications is applicable to broad range of scientific and industrial sectors.She has worked with NASA and ESA on the development of instrumentation for researchers exploring the Big Bang. Her most recent work on broadband amplifier design at 116GHz is state-of-the-art and pushing the very limits of semiconductor technology.“For as long as I can remember I was always interested in science – from playing with my chemistry set as a child to studying things under a microscope. My passion soon branched out into astronomy after watching an eclipse with my family.”An ambassador for STEM, she gave the 2014 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, co-founded and developed the Manchester Robot Orchestra as a citizen science initiative, has given TED and TEDx talks, and was awarded the MBE in 2016.“For me, it’s not just the legacy aspect, it’s about telling the stories of the incredible difference makers around the world who want to get involved and inspiring the next generation into solving engineering challenges.”
Nigel Fine

IET, Chief Executive and Secretary

Nigel Fine was appointed Chief Executive of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in June 2009. The IET is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technician community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.Nigel graduated from UMIST in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering and received his MBA from the London Business School in 1984. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the ICE and IET.His professional career has included working for Experian Plc where he was Managing Director for EMEA and Asia Pacific and he was an Associate Partner at Andersen Consulting (Accenture). His early career was with John Laing and International Paint.Nigel is a non-executive Director of EngineeringUK and Chairs the Professional Panel of CEO’s representing the licensed Professional Engineering Institutions in the UK, and Chairs the Audit Committee. He sits on the Strategy Board of Education for Engineers and the Technician Council.
Dan Hart

Virgin Orbit, President and CEO

Over the course of his career, Dan has served in senior leadership roles across a wide range of aerospace programs, spanning human spaceﬂight, satellite development, launch, and missile defense, and running through all phases of the aerospace product life cycle, from research and development through design, production, and spaceﬂight operations.Dan currently serves as President and CEO for Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson’s pioneering commercial space ﬁrm, which launches small satellites into space from a rocket carried under the wing of a modiﬁed Boeing 747. It is Virgin’s contribution to the massive transformation going on in space technology, and has the clear goal of opening access to space to improve life on Earth.Dan joined Virgin Orbit after more than three decades of aerospace leadership at the Boeing Company, where he most recently served as Vice President of Government Satellite Systems. In that position, he oversaw Boeing's government satellite programs, developing and managing missions for the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA, and other national programs. Dan’s portfolio included marquee programs such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Wideband Global SATCOM, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) system, and the X-37 spaceplane.Outside of Virgin Orbit, Dan serves on the U.S. Investment Advisory Council (IAC), which advices the Secretary of Commerce on the development and implementation of strategies and programs to attract and retain foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Additionally, in early 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom selected Dan to join the Governor's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, which works to develop actions government and businesses can take to help Californians recover from the COVID-19 induced recession.Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the State University of New York at Albany and attended the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He is a passionate and committed advocate for STEM education, and serves on the Executive Board of the California Science Center, as well as the Dean’s Advisory Council for California State University, Long Beach’s College of Engineering.
Professor Danielle George

“As engineers and technicians, I think we all have a duty to talk about our passions to inspire the next generation.”Danielle George is Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering at the University of Manchester and a science communicator. Her expertise in radio frequency engineering and microwave communications is applicable to broad range of scientific and industrial sectors.She has worked with NASA and ESA on the development of instrumentation for researchers exploring the Big Bang. Her most recent work on broadband amplifier design at 116GHz is state-of-the-art and pushing the very limits of semiconductor technology.“For as long as I can remember I was always interested in science – from playing with my chemistry set as a child to studying things under a microscope. My passion soon branched out into astronomy after watching an eclipse with my family.”An ambassador for STEM, she gave the 2014 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, co-founded and developed the Manchester Robot Orchestra as a citizen science initiative, has given TED and TEDx talks, and was awarded the MBE in 2016.“For me, it’s not just the legacy aspect, it’s about telling the stories of the incredible difference makers around the world who want to get involved and inspiring the next generation into solving engineering challenges.”
Nigel Fine

IET, Chief Executive and Secretary

Nigel Fine was appointed Chief Executive of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in June 2009. The IET is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technician community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.Nigel graduated from UMIST in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering and received his MBA from the London Business School in 1984. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the ICE and IET.His professional career has included working for Experian Plc where he was Managing Director for EMEA and Asia Pacific and he was an Associate Partner at Andersen Consulting (Accenture). His early career was with John Laing and International Paint.Nigel is a non-executive Director of EngineeringUK and Chairs the Professional Panel of CEO’s representing the licensed Professional Engineering Institutions in the UK, and Chairs the Audit Committee. He sits on the Strategy Board of Education for Engineers and the Technician Council.
Nigel Fine

IET, Chief Executive and Secretary

Nigel Fine was appointed Chief Executive of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in June 2009. The IET is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technician community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.Nigel graduated from UMIST in 1978 with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering and received his MBA from the London Business School in 1984. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the ICE and IET.His professional career has included working for Experian Plc where he was Managing Director for EMEA and Asia Pacific and he was an Associate Partner at Andersen Consulting (Accenture). His early career was with John Laing and International Paint.Nigel is a non-executive Director of EngineeringUK and Chairs the Professional Panel of CEO’s representing the licensed Professional Engineering Institutions in the UK, and Chairs the Audit Committee. He sits on the Strategy Board of Education for Engineers and the Technician Council.
Professor Danielle George

“As engineers and technicians, I think we all have a duty to talk about our passions to inspire the next generation.”Danielle George is Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering at the University of Manchester and a science communicator. Her expertise in radio frequency engineering and microwave communications is applicable to broad range of scientific and industrial sectors.She has worked with NASA and ESA on the development of instrumentation for researchers exploring the Big Bang. Her most recent work on broadband amplifier design at 116GHz is state-of-the-art and pushing the very limits of semiconductor technology.“For as long as I can remember I was always interested in science – from playing with my chemistry set as a child to studying things under a microscope. My passion soon branched out into astronomy after watching an eclipse with my family.”An ambassador for STEM, she gave the 2014 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, co-founded and developed the Manchester Robot Orchestra as a citizen science initiative, has given TED and TEDx talks, and was awarded the MBE in 2016.“For me, it’s not just the legacy aspect, it’s about telling the stories of the incredible difference makers around the world who want to get involved and inspiring the next generation into solving engineering challenges.”

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