Sweeting
Prof. Sir Martin Sweeting pioneered rapid-response, low-cost and highly capable small satellites utilizing modern consumer (COTS) electronics devices to change the economics of space.
In 1985, he founded a spin-off University company (SSTL) which has designed, built, launched and operated in orbit 69 nano, micro and mini-satellites for communications & Earth observation – as well as 34 navigation payloads for the European Galileo constellation. SSTL has grown to 400 staff, alongside the academic Surrey Space Centre researching advanced small satellite concepts and techniques.