How Heriot-Watt is staying ahead in a new space race
This blog is part two of three in the series exploring Heriot-Watt University’s expanding role in the space sector.
In this series, Associate Professor Ross Donaldson shares insights into the university’s broad research focus, global collaborations, and ambitions for the future of space innovation.
In part two, we explore how Heriot-Watt is aligning with global trends in space exploration, the university’s future goals in space research, and how it’s addressing sector challenges such as sustainability and collaboration.
How does Heriot-Watt engage with global trends in space exploration and the commercialisation of space technologies?
“In some areas, particularly quantum technologies, we’re almost leading. Heriot-Watt has been working on various quantum innovations for a long time, and now these are being recognised as essential for use in space. We're seeing growing interest from international companies looking to collaborate with our academics because of that expertise.
On the quantum side, we’re very far ahead, and there's real momentum behind getting our technologies deployed in space. So, it’s fair to say we’re not just following trends—we’re shaping them.”
What are some of the future goals for the space programme and research at Heriot-Watt University?
“Our primary goal is growth—both in terms of capability and collaboration. We’ve already held two Space Cluster Workshops to connect researchers across disciplines, and we're planning another this summer. There’s also growing interest in building wider partnerships, particularly with the University of Edinburgh, to strengthen the space research community across the region.
We’d love to see more infrastructure too—dedicated space facilities on campus, expanded testing capabilities, and future student-led CubeSat missions launched directly from Heriot-Watt. It’s an exciting vision that builds on what we’ve already started.”
What challenges does the space field currently face, and how is Heriot-Watt addressing them?
“Sustainability is becoming a major issue. As we design new technologies for space, we have to ask whether they’re practical and sustainable long-term. For example, quantum internet systems often require entire labs full of equipment—do we really want to launch that into orbit for just one experiment?
Heriot-Watt has always had a strong environmental mindset, and we’re carrying that into our space work. We’re thinking seriously about how to use space efficiently and how to avoid contributing to issues like orbital debris. Sustainability will shape how we design and deploy space technologies in the future.”
How does the university stay at the forefront of developments in the space sector?
"It’s no secret—resources are a challenge. Funding is tight, which is why innovation and collaboration are absolutely key. In the space sector, it's almost impossible to make an impact without working with larger partners who bring the engineering depth and real-world experience.
At Heriot-Watt, our strength lies in the freedom to explore new ideas, but when it comes to launching into space, you need experienced partners who can say, “That design won’t fly—here’s what needs to change.” So, we’re focused on building those partnerships, while using our academic freedom to push boundaries.”
Stay tuned for part three, where we’ll look at collaboration across academia, industry and agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, and how Heriot-Watt is building global partnerships to shape the future of space exploration.
Heriot-Watt University is at the forefront of global space research, bringing together world-leading expertise in quantum technologies, photonics, satellite communications, and aerospace engineering. From foundational science to real-world applications, our researchers are shaping the future of space exploration through innovation and collaboration.
To explore research partnerships, student opportunities, or upcoming space sector events, get in touch with us via GRID@hw.ac.uk.