Handley Page Lecture 2024

Alumni are invited to join this year's Handley Page Lecture on the subject of 'Expanding the Frontier: The Evolving Role of Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Space' by Dr Mark Woods Chief Strategy Officer and Head of the Robotics, Autonomy and AI Group at the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS).

The lecture will begin at 1830 with teas and coffees available from 1800.

Programme & speakers

From the early days of space exploration, remotely operated spacecraft have played a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the wider universe and our own planet. As ambitions in space exploration have grown, we've seen the gradual introduction of robotic spacecraft equipped with increasing levels of autonomy, interactivity, and intelligence.

As the cost of access to space decreases, and its strategic and commercial importance continues to grow, we are entering a new era where a new generation of Robotics, Autonomous Systems, and Artificial Intelligence (RAAI) will become indispensable tools for advancing scientific research, exploration, commercialisation, and security in space.

This talk will explore the key drivers and exciting developments in RAAI within the space sector—past, present, and future—highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Speaker bio
Dr. Mark Woods is the Chief Strategy Officer and Head of the Robotics, Autonomy and AI Group at the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS). As an Executive Director he sits on the CFMS board Chaired by Professor Emeritus Sir Iain Gray with permanent members Airbus Group, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace.

With a Ph.D. in Machine Learning based AI for Robotic Applications, he has over 20 years’ deep technical experience as an innovator leading applied, Industrial Robotics and Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence (RAAI) in space and other markets for or with the European Space Agency (ESA), UK Space Agency (UKSA), Airbus DS, TAS-I, Sellafield, & others. He has led several, first-of-a-kind innovation and technology research and maturation RAAI programmes, including commercial and programmatic aspects across the TRL spectrum in both space and non-space applications. This has included key autonomy elements of ESA’s ExoMars Rover which will be Europe’s first surface mission on Mars due to launch in 2028. He also developed and flew the first civilian machine learning (AI) based application in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the European civil space domain. He is also steering several the development of next generation mission development tools and the use of RAAI technologies for space and non-space applications at CFMS for customers such as ESA, UKSA, Airbus and others. He sits on the leadership board of the SpaceWest cluster and is a contributor to industry focused panels and articles in research and media outlets such as the BBC, New Scientist and the Economist.

Location & travel details

Who should attend

Alumni interested in the subject area.

Cost & concessions

Free to attend.