In-Orbit

How can satellites avoid collisions and still keep enough propellant for other work?
In Outer Orbit, host Dallas Campbell speaks with Thomas Clayson, co-founder and CTO of Magdrive, about electric propulsion designed for satellites operating in crowded low Earth orbit. Thomas explains how a spacecraft stores electrical power, then uses rapid pulses to vaporise small amounts of metal into plasma. The resulting thrust is intended to combine strong short manoeuvres with the efficiency of electric propulsion.
The conversation covers collision avoidance, maintaining orbit, close-proximity operations, satellite inspection and repair, and the role of mobility in in-space servicing and manufacturing. Clayson also sets out why metal propellant could be sourced in future from lunar material, asteroids or recycled debris, while noting that refuelling in space is not yet available. Separately, The Register reported that Starlink observed roughly 164,000 conjunctions whose closest approach fell within four hours of an unannounced manoeuvre over six months. That figure, attributed to SpaceX, connects to the episode’s focus on responsive propulsion and safe coordination as more spacecraft share the same orbital shells.

(00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit

(01:11) - Why Satellites Need Propulsion

(02:49) - Close Approaches and Space Defence

(04:36) - Chemical and Electric Thrusters

(05:27) - Faster Manoeuvres in Low Earth Orbit

(06:14) - How MagDrive Produces Thrust

(07:13) - Metal as a Propellant

(08:14) - Refuelling from Space Resources

(09:38) - Thruster Size and Satellite Classes

(11:11) - Propulsion for In-Space Servicing

(12:01) - MagDrive’s In-Orbit Demonstrations

(12:40) - The UK’s Role in Space Manufacturing

Thomas Clayson: Thomas Clayson is co-founder and CTO of Magdrive, which is developing electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. A plasma physicist and pulsed-power engineer, he earned a PhD in plasma laboratory astrophysics at Imperial College London. His work has included using high-powered lasers and pulsed-power equipment to study plasma. On the episode, he explains Magdrive's solid metal propellant and how spacecraft mobility could enable new activity in orbit.In-Orbit is brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult. Subscribe and follow us on social media to stay in-orbit.
Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What would it take for a UK space company to become a billion-dollar business?
In this episode of In-Orbit, host Dallas Campbell brings together John Abbott, CEO of Satellite Applications Catapult, and Thomas Clayson, co-founder and CTO of Magdrive, to examine the commercial conditions behind UK space growth. John argues that companies need a clear customer, a market with room to grow, a route to that market and a product built around a real problem. Thomas explains why satellites need propulsion, how Magdrive's electric engine works and how solid metal propellant could support refuelling with resources found in space.
They also discuss SpaceX as proof of a commercial market, investor confidence, government procurement and more joined-up support. Their debate on UK launch weighs assured access against price and geography, before turning to the work that happens after launch.

(00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit

(02:06) - Why Satellites Need Propulsion

(03:20) - Building Billion-Dollar Space Businesses

(06:41) - The UK's Space Strengths

(09:16) - The Space Market and National Resilience

(11:22) - Magdrive's Solid Metal Propellant

(14:05) - SpaceX, Investment and IPOs

(18:16) - Joining Up Support for Space Companies

(22:25) - UK Ambition and the Launch Debate

(31:41) - Space Defence and Dual-Use Technology

(36:53) - In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing

(39:11) - The Harwell Space Cluster

John Abbott: John Abbott is CEO of Satellite Applications Catapult. He previously held digital and leadership roles at Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Registry, HM Land Registry and Ordnance Survey. At Ordnance Survey, he worked on digital products, the Innovations Lab and Geovation, which supported more than 150 early-stage businesses that have raised £130m. He brings experience in digital services and business support to the discussion of UK space growth.
Thomas Clayson: Thomas Clayson is co-founder and CTO of Magdrive, which is developing electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. A plasma physicist and pulsed-power engineer, he earned a PhD in plasma laboratory astrophysics at Imperial College London. His work has included using high-powered lasers and pulsed-power equipment to study plasma. On the episode, he explains Magdrive's solid metal propellant and how spacecraft mobility could enable new activity in orbit.
In-Orbit is brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult. Subscribe and follow us on social media to stay in-orbit.
Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Why does America make space feel like a national ambition, while Britain’s achievements can struggle to attract attention?

In this Outer Orbit bonus episode, Dallas Campbell speaks with Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, about the cultural and financial differences shaping the UK space industry and its US counterpart. Tom argues that Britain needs to identify where it can create value in the emerging space economy, then explain that opportunity in language people can understand.

Dallas and Tom discuss the tension between selling a vision and waiting until an idea is proven, the UK’s venture capital development, and why emerging technologies may need investors prepared to think over ten years. For founders, investors and space communicators, this short conversation offers a clear starting point: connect technical ability with a convincing story and the backing to pursue it.

(00:00) - Welcome to Outer Orbit

(01:11) - Finding the UK’s Place in the Space Economy

(02:06) - Why Space Needs a Better Story

(03:31) - Selling the Vision Before the Proof

(04:50) - Building a Culture of Risk and Reward

(05:45) - The UK’s Changing Investment Culture

(06:46) - Patient Capital and Ten-Year Horizons

(07:32) - Bringing the Swagger

Tom Adeyoola: Tom Adeyoola is Executive Chair of Innovate UK and an entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the startup sector. He founded fashion technology business Metail, raising £25 million and growing it to exit, and supported Elvie from inception to Series B as a non-executive director. He co-founded Extend Ventures and co-authored the Start-Up, Scale-Up review. His experience in building businesses and investment policy informs the episode's discussion of growth capital and international competition.
In-Orbit is brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult. Subscribe and follow us on social media to stay in-orbit.
Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Why does Britain produce promising ideas yet struggle to build the global companies that could grow from them?

In the opening episode of In-Orbit's sixth season, Dallas Campbell brings together Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, and Sue Daley OBE, Director of Technology and Innovation at techUK. They examine how UK innovation can become lasting economic value, with support that follows companies beyond individual projects and pilots.
The discussion covers patient capital, international growth and the commercial skills needed to turn research into products customers buy. Government procurement is especially timely: the UK Space Strategy, announced in September with £7.8 billion of investment through 2030, commits to a coordinated approach to buying space technology. From university research and health datasets to satellite propulsion, in-orbit manufacturing and proposed orbital data centres, the guests consider where Britain has strengths worth backing. For founders, investors and policymakers, this first part of a two-part conversation offers practical ways to help ambitious companies grow while keeping skills, manufacturing and economic value in the UK.

(00:00) - Welcome to In-Orbit

(04:22) - From Funding Projects to Supporting Companies

(08:28) - Commercialisation and Thinking Globally

(12:11) - Ambition, Investment and Founder Stories

(15:45) - Government as an Anchor Customer

(19:47) - Growth Capital and UK Research Strengths

(23:46) - Telling the UK's Technology Success Stories

(27:53) - Helping UK Space Companies Scale

(31:44) - Manufacturing and Data Centres in Orbit

(35:56) - Space, Growth and National Resilience

(39:45) - Pension Investment and Long-Term Support

(42:12) - Backing Britain's Most Ambitious Companies

Tom Adeyoola: Tom Adeyoola is Executive Chair of Innovate UK and an entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the startup sector. He founded fashion technology business Metail, raising £25 million and growing it to exit, and supported Elvie from inception to Series B as a non-executive director. He co-founded Extend Ventures and co-authored the Start-Up, Scale-Up review. His experience in building businesses and investment policy informs the episode's discussion of growth capital and international competition.
John Abbott: John Abbott is CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult. His background covers geospatial technology, digital services and support for early-stage businesses. Before joining the Catapult, he was Chief Digital Officer at Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Registry and previously led digital, data and technology at HM Land Registry. At Ordnance Survey, he was responsible for digital products, its Innovations Lab and the Geovation startup incubator. He brings that experience to helping UK space companies raise investment, reach customers and expand internationally.

Sue Daley OBE: Sue Daley is Director of Technology and Innovation at techUK, where her work covers AI, cloud, data, quantum technologies, semiconductors and digital ethics. She received an OBE for services to the technology industry in the 2025 New Year Honours and joined the government's Women in Tech Taskforce in December 2025. Sue also sits on the Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group and the Bank of England's AI Consortium. Her work connects technology policy with adoption, commercialisation and the conditions businesses need to grow.
In-Orbit is brought to you by the Satellite Applications Catapult. Subscribe and follow us on social media to stay in-orbit.
Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Website

Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Behind every launch is a business story. Dallas Campbell meets the founders, engineers, and policymakers shaping the UK space industry. 
In-Orbit is back with Series Six brought to you from the Satellite Applications Catapult. 
Satellite Applications Catapult: LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Website