Space Systems Welcomes Industry Speakers

As part of our MSc programmes, UCL Centre for Systems Engineering run the Space Systems module. As well as our own experts, to bring a depth and breadth of up to the minute industry insight, we welcome Doug Liddle from In-Space Missions, Antonios Maillis from ESA and Mina Syriou from ESA.

This five-day short course provides a broad understanding of the space sector by exploring why the space sector is important - socially, economically and politically, and its relationship to the contexts of technology, systems engineering and project management.

Mina Syriou, Space Applications Engineer/ Project Manager at the European Space Agency

Mina is an experienced Business Development and Project Manager with a track record of working across space industry, the United Nations, academia and NGOs focused on the research and development of Earth observation and geospatial applications dedicated to supporting humanitarian relief, social justice, wildlife conservation and sustainable development.

Her current role at the European Space Agency involves engagement in a dynamic range of activities in support of identifying and characterising opportunities for new services and applications exploiting space assets such as Satellite Earth Observation (EO), Satellite Communications (SatCom), Satellite Navigation (SatNav), or technologies defined for utilisation in space. She’s also responsible for establishing and developing strategic partnerships with private and public stakeholders in innovative technological domains and markets.

Mina holds a BSc in Geography from Harokopio University of Athens and an MSc degree in Geoscience and Remote Sensing from the engineering department of the University of Edinburgh.  She is a fellow at the Royal Geographical Society and since November 2019 she has been a mentor for Women in Geospatial.

Antonios Maillis, Satellite Applications Engineer at the European Space Agency

Antonios is an experienced Satellite Applications Engineer with MSc in Satellite Communications and Space Systems and BEng in Electronic Engineering.  He has extensive knowledge in Systems level analysis and design and able to approach solutions from an end-to-end perspective. He was a Seraphim Space Camp Mentor for Start-ups and a member of Ofcom’s Satellite Consultative Committee for matters related to Spectrum.

Antonios has extensive knowledge in Project Management with certifications in Six Sigma and MoR. He is proficient in DMAIC approach with great experience in Waterfall and Agile methodologies.

Antonios’ projects portfolio involves work in the domains of IoT, Hybrid Communications, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Maritime, Aviation, Connectivity for emergency services, Connectivity for rural regions, Offshore Connectivity, e-health, A.I for downstream applications, Structural monitoring.

Prior to joining ESA, Antonios was a Satellite Communications Engineer working for the Satellite Applications Catapult. His role involved work in: Delivery of end-to-end solution demonstrating the utilisation of Satellite and Hybrid Communications, promotion of Innovation through collaboration with external agencies (Innovate UK, UKSA, ESA, Foreign Governments), establishment of strategic business relationships with Satellite or associated technology providers and with key industry players.

During his early career, Antonios got involved in Spectrum coordination, licensing and management and worked as a Spectrum Planner for Arqiva and as a Spectrum Delivery Manager for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Doug Liddle, CEO at In-Space Missions Ltd

After leaving Oxford in 1993 with an MA in Physics, Doug joined the Defence Research Agency (now QinetiQ) to work on all things space, including radar surveillance, space radiation, spacecraft dynamics and military communications systems.  

In 2001, Doug moved to Surrey Satellites to become a spacecraft systems engineer.  Over the following years, he developed several new spacecraft including Europe’s first Galileo demonstrator satellite, GIOVE-A; ran the Science and Exploration business unit; and delivered multiple satellites and optical imaging payloads including the UK’s first cubesat.

In 2015, Doug created In-Space Missions, a company founded to develop new space enabled services and offer expert consultancy to industry, academia and government.  Since 2015, Doug has variously run the UK’s small launch programme; led the technical development of a disruptive innovation centre; developed a commercial demonstration platform for space; and initiated a company delivering real time video and immersive experiences from space.  Doug also sits on a number of industry boards (UKspace, Space Growth Partnership, and SPRINT) and takes an active interest in STEAM outreach.