We’re delighted to have University of Edinburgh’s own space guru Kristina Tamane, Space Sector Business Development Lead, share her thoughts on how the sector is contributing to a sustainable future…and where the jobs are.
When you think about space – climate change and sustainability are highly unlikely to be front of mind. Instead you visualise huge rockets burning fuel – am I right?
Well think again. Scotland is leading the world in terms of sustainability; using space data to combat climate change issues here on Earth but also taking care of our Near-Earth Environment, protecting it from space debris and overuse.
Sustainability is an area that is still largely undefined and as a result is open to anyone who can see value they could add. So, if you think you have a great idea or a skillset to contribute – why not consider a role in the space sector? One of the spaceports may be interested in hiring you – especially to help with their environmental assessment and developments but also to contribute towards green tourism and education programmes e.g. one of the developing spaceports in Scotland – SaxaVord Spaceport have a Sustainability Officer.
Rocket providers have been thinking and acting green – HyImpulse have a hybrid rocket, Skyrora have green fuel called Ecosene. Satellite manufacturers are involved in these conversations and consider their own supply chain – Spire, AAC Clyde Space, Craft Prospect and more.
And the data companies who make sense of the intelligence from the space data and how it can be applied need the creativity and the different thinking that talented people can bring to their businesses.
Many space data companies like Ecometrica, Trade In Space, Space Intelligence, and Astrosat use their data expertise to advise other organisations on how to be more sustainable themselves.
It is great to be a part of this movement. What particularly excites me is that this is a naturally inclusive activity. The people who are involved in space sustainability work come from all sorts of walks of life. I feel confident in saying this, as a disabled woman who has a degree in Psychology and Philosophy. Key sustainability advocates I’ve worked with personally on this include – unsurprisingly – Friends of the Earth and Nature Scot but also photographers, social scientists, finance professionals, creative artists, science fiction writers… the list goes on and on.
Sustainability in every sense of the word will become increasingly important to monitor- so we have a planet to live on. You can and should play a role – no matter how local. Make a positive change for yourself (WWF Carbon Footprint tool is a good starting point here) or join a company and change our industries to be as green as possible. The power is in your hands.
Thanks, Kristina!
Find out more, on our website, about getting into the Space Sector.
(Scottish Space Sector publishes the world's first Sustainable Space Roadmap Left to right: Andrew Fournet, Kristina Tamane, Ashley Stewart, Sharon Pryde, Daniel Smith, Mick O'Conor, Daria Filichkina Image copyright: Scottish Enterprise )
(Scottish Space Sector publishes the world's first Sustainable Space Roadmap Left to right: Andrew Fournet, Kristina Tamane, Ashley Stewart, Sharon Pryde, Daniel Smith, Mick O'Conor, Daria Filichkina Image copyright: Scottish Enterprise )
