How can a malleable, plant-based bio-leather grown off-grid in Scotland transform under extreme heat into an RF-transparent, rock-like ceramic shield? What does Draconite mean for the economics of spacecraft re-entry and thermal protection systems? How does self-taught material science disrupt traditional "old space" gatekeeping and university lab paradigms? What are the dual-use applications of biomimetic thermal shields across space re-entry, defence satellite protection, and terrestrial wildfire mitigation?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with the astonishing Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO and founder of Draconite, about her journey from scaling a Caribbean wedding venue to inventing a self-vitrifying, plastic-free thermal protection material and proving it works by pointing a blow torch at her own hand!

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line

Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Alisha Fuller-Armah, CEO & Founder, Draconite

Alisha Fuller-Armah | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Draconite bio-based thermal shield technology
• Self-vitrification and heat-soak insulation vs. traditional ablation
• RF transparency during re-entry communications
• Off-grid, low-cost cellulose fermentation & sovereign manufacturing
• UK Space Agency Accelerator & scaling deep tech
• Defence applications (anti-laser satellite shrouds)
• Overcoming academic gatekeeping through self-taught science
• PFAS-free, traceless, and non-toxic space materials
• Terrestrial wildfire and passive fire protection

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Does the Government's latest space strategy properly connect defence, civil policy and commercial space growth? How will the MOD and DSIT merge procurement approaches? What are the specific outcomes targeted across the four core focus areas: Satcoms, Space Domain Awareness, Launch, and In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing? How do freedom of action and assured access balance sovereign UK capabilities with NATO and ESA alliances? And what major regulatory, insurance, and procurement changes are coming down the line?

Join Jonners and Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy at UKspace, as they debate whether the machinery of Government is fully backing a practical blueprint for picking winners and driving national security and economic growth or delivering just another false dawn.

Contributors:

Jonathan Davies, The Karman Line

Jonathan Davies | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | Website

Stephanie Ayres, Head of Policy UKspace

Stephanie Ayres | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

New National Space Strategy overview

MOD and DSIT procurement alignment

Government as an "anchor customer"

Four core capability pillars (Satcoms, SDA, Launch, ISAM)

Sovereign ISR and Space Control

Freedom of action vs. Allied integration (NATO/ESA)

Assured launch (SaxaVord & Spaceport Cornwall)

"Picking winners" and targeted funding awards

Regulatory and insurance sandboxes (City of London)

Enterprise Category Management and cross-departmental governance

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How does Ploughshare turn Ministry of Defence owned R&D into commercial businesses serving wider society? Why has commercialising defence technology historically been "suboptimal," and how is the newly launched Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG) shifting the dial? How can classified innovations be declassified by separating the underlying core technology from its military application? What structural changes are required in UK venture capital to build "bolder, braver" scale-ups capable of navigating defence procurement and space markets?

Join Alice and Jonners as they talk with Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, CEO of Ploughshare, about how to take brilliant defence innovation out of Government labs and apply it to wider commercial markets like healthcare and telecoms. Plus, navigating the rules, regulations and protection rackets. “No, you can’t go speak to the Minister”.

Contributors:

Alice Bunn, President of UKspace

Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn

UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line

Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

The Karman Line | LinkedIn

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, CEO, Ploughshare

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton | LinkedIn

Ploughshare | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:

• Commercialising defence R&D & Ploughshare's mission
• The Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG)
• Declassifying top-secret defence tech
• Reverse dual-use
• Cultural shifts in academia and corporate defence primes
• Space and defence tech synergy
• Defence procurement challenges
• The Defence Investment Plan (DIP)
• UK venture capital gaps
• Funding dual-use scale-ups
• Purpose-driven leadership & organisational culture

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