Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Space spinout attracts major new investor
Orbital Optics Ltd, a spinout located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, today announced a major new investment.
Canadian-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA) has become the major shareholder with a controlling interest in the company. MDA is an international space and data systems company, most well known for the development of the robotic arm that is part of the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, and also well known for developing data systems for the UK housing market.
Orbital Optics Ltd was formed in early 2006 as the second space science spin out from Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), based on the technology used to develop the high-resolution imaging camera developed for the TOPSAT satellite. The company develops and sells compact and affordable space cameras capable of producing high quality images.
Professor Richard Holdaway, Director Space Science and Technology at RAL, commented 'We're very pleased with this investment and the opportunity to work closely with MDA in developing advanced space technology. The team at RAL are justifiably proud of the advanced camera technology we've developed, and it's great to see it taken forward in commercial applications.'
Welcoming the partnership, Science and Innovation Minister Malcolm Wicks said: 'This investment is good news. It's further evidence of how our commitment to science, and the Harwell Campus, is producing a real economic benefit for the UK.'
For more information contacts:
Mr John Ellis MBE, OOL Chief Executive, 01235 445700, Email: j.a.ellis@rl.ac.uk
Natalie Bealing, Press and PR Manager, 01235 445484 Email: press@cclrc.ac.uk