CySpace Forum: Expanding Horizons - Pivoting into the Space Economy
On Monday 19th October, Northumbria University hosts the CySpace Forum, delivered by CyberNorth in partnership with Space North East England and the CySpace Connected Capability Network.
Bringing together leading cybersecurity and space experts from across the UK, this unique event explores the critical role of cyber security in modern space infrastructure and highlights the latest innovations driving the sector forward.
The session showcases North East talent through real-world case studies of organisations using collaborative funding to pivot into the space industry. Featuring a keynote address from Craig Needham (UK Space Agency), who will also chair our panel - Expanding Horizons: Pivoting into the Space Economy, an expert lineup will unpack emerging market opportunities, discuss cross-cluster collaboration, and take questions from the audience.
Panelists:
Craig Needham – UK Space Agency (Chair)
Ralph Dinsley, 3S Northumbria
Joanne Rout, Durham University
Khurram Hussain, AmbaSat
Simon Land, Inotec Solutions
Kirsty Lindsay, Northumbria University
Craig Needham, UK Space Agency
Craig’s role with the UK Space Agency is to develop the understanding the hazards and threats within the space domain. He also leads on the role of space systems in the UK's Critical National Infrastructure.
Craig has attained undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in emergency and disaster management. Alongside his Space role, he is undertaking a PhD in the intersection of climate risk and space infrastructure resilience and serves as an On-call Firefighter in his hometown
Khurram Hussain, AmbaSat Ltd
Khurram is the Head of Operations for AmbaSat, a space technology and applications company based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. AmbaSat evolved from an end-to-end environmental monitoring business, leveraging their sensor and gateway systems to develop a modular payload space satellite. Their satellites will enable organisations to gain orbital flight heritage for innovative technologies, such as a NESCA-funded project with Newcastle University to translate electrically driven quantum light-source technology from the laboratory towards compact satellite applications.
Dr Kirsty Lindsay, Northumbria University
Dr Kirsty Lindsay is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist, Exercise Physiologist and Associate Professor at Northumbria University, working as part of the Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory. She was part of the 2019 AGBRESA 60-day bed rest campaign investigating back pain and lumbopelvic deconditioning, flew an ESA technical demonstration on the autumn 2024 parabolic flight campaign testing operational safety of the E4D exercise device. She also co-authored the gender mainstreaming guidance the UK took to UNCOPUOS in 2025 and 2026. Her work takes a person-centred approach to spaceflight, using space as a vehicle to push for change on Earth: improving lumbopelvic health, minority representation and technological innovation.
Joanne Rout, Durham University
Joanne Rout is the Senior Business Development Manager within Durham University's Research and Innovation Services, where she leads strategic partnerships that connect academia, industry and government to deliver real-world innovation.
A key contributor to the growth of Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC), Joanne works across the UK space sector to foster collaboration, drive innovation and create opportunities between researchers, businesses and policymakers
Joanne will share insights on partnership-led innovation and the vital role collaboration plays in advancing secure, sustainable technologies across the cyber and space sectors
Simon Land, Inotec Solutions
Simon Land is a director and Senior Engineer at Inotec Solutions Ltd. Simon has many years of experience in the communications industry working in the Military and Emergency services. Simon has been involved with Satellite communications for civil defence, emergency services and commercial banks and now provides satellite communications for rural business and events. Inotec Solutions are working with Ambasat to produce a rapidly deployable resilient satellite based Communications system under a project funded by UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency.
Ralph ‘Dinz’ Dinsley
Ralph "Dinz" Dinsley is the founder and CEO of 3S Northumbria, a North East-based company specialising in Space Domain Awareness and space safety services. A former RAF officer, he successfully transitioned from a military career into the commercial space sector and is recognised as a leading voice in the safe and sustainable use of space.
Prior to founding 3S Northumbria, Dinz established NORSS (Northern Space and Security Ltd), a pioneering UK Space Domain Awareness company which was later acquired by Raytheon UK. His experience of building and scaling a successful space business provides valuable insight into entrepreneurship, innovation and the opportunities available within the growing space sector.
Passionate about developing local talent, Dinz works closely with universities, apprentices and graduates across the North East and is a strong advocate for creating high-quality careers within the region's space industry.