Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency Event
For more information regarding this event, please email events@southampton.ac.uk .
Event details
We are pleased to announce that Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, will be visiting the University as part of our Distinguished Lecture series.
Watch the recorded lecture online
About the speaker
David Parker was appointed Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency in January 2013. He was trained in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Southampton University, UK, where he took a first degree in 1984 and a Doctorate in wind tunnel magnetic suspension technology in 1989, working under a grant from NASA Langley Research Center.
He worked for fourteen years in the UK space industry. He was seconded to the British National Space Centre between 1997 and 1999 to manage space technology innovation projects for the UK government. From 2004 to 2011 he led the UK’s involvement with the ESA space science and robotic exploration programmes as well as its national space science programme, representing the UK at ESA and internationally.
He is currently the UK’s Head of Delegation to the European Space Agency and the Chair of ESA’s Programme Board for Microgravity and Exploration.
In this talk, Dr Parker described the history, status and prospects for this dynamic part of the UK economy. Milestones since the first UK satellite was launched in 1962 will be described as well as the rapid spread of space applications and technology into our everyday lives. UK space technology has played a major role in linking the globe; searching for missing flight MH370; understanding climate change; and exploring our vast Universe. This £9B a year industry is set to grow strongly in the coming years as major new projects come into operation and Dr Parker will detail the new opportunities that are constantly emerging, especially for innovative SMEs and investors.