Orbit Fab UK and Europe: Is sustainable space exploration even possible?

Explore the future of space exploration at Ignite Space. Delivered by Jacob Geer, Managing Director of Orbit Fab UK and Europe, this session delves into the challenges and innovations in making space exploration sustainable. Jacob, who leads a team focused on creating a bustling orbital economy through spacecraft refueling, brings a wealth of experience from his 15-year tenure in the UK government on Defence and Space.

In this session, Jacob will share insights from his time as the UK Space Agency Chief of Staff, where he managed a £1.75bn civil space portfolio and spearheaded key initiatives in Space Surveillance, Active Debris Removal, In-Orbit Servicing, and Space Sustainability. With his extensive background in both multilateral engagements and operational support in conflict zones, Jacob offers a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, policy, and international collaboration.

Speaker Information

Jacob Geer, Managing Director, Orbit Fab UK and Europe - Jacob is Orbit Fab’s Managing Director in the UK and Europe, having joined in March 2024.  He leads a team building a bustling orbital economy by allowing spacecraft to be refuelled.

Before joining Orbit Fab, Jacob spent 15 year working in the UK government on Defence and Space. He was most recently the UK Space Agency Chief of Staff, a role in which he oversaw the national Agency’s transformation and steered a £1.75bn civil space portfolio.

Before this Jacob led the UK’s civilian Space Surveillance, Active Debris Removal, In-Orbit Servicing, Space Sustainability and National Launch programmes. He has led multilateral engagement with ESA, EU the UN, G7, 5EYEs and bilateral projects with a number of other nations.

His career in Defence saw Jake complete two civilian tours of Afghanistan before leading Science and Technical support to the UK’s strategic headquarters, supporting operations in Sierra Leone, Iraq, Libya, Syria and elsewhere with rapid technical advice.