Solicitor’s high hopes for country’s astro firms

legitimate reason. If there are military or security issues, you might not get a licence to operate.”

For four years, Joanne – who has her own law firm in London – worked as a lawyer for the European Space Agency and regularly met NASA in Washington to discuss the International Space Station. She has also represented the ESA and UK Government on the UN’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Another space client is television, radio, and telecoms regulators Ofcom, who are responsible for monitoring mobile phone providers who use satellite dishes.

Joanne added: “I don’t think we realise how much people use satellites. In the space of a few hours, you will use between 22 and 26 satellites. It could be your alarm, a cash machine, petrol pump, your computer at work or your car’s sat nav. They are our invisible friends and we don’t realise it.”

In recent years, Joanne has also helped set up the Skynet satellite system for the British military. that law would apply. When I was at ESA, I used to help with astronauts’ contracts. For example, there were issues over what badges astronauts could wear on their suits and what they could and could not say.”

Joanne says space exploration and commerce is booming in Scotland.

Last month, it was announced a remote part of Sutherland is to become the UK’s first space port, where satel l ites wi l l be l a u nched . It is expected to bring a £ 4billion boost to the UK economy and could lead to tourist space flights.

Joanne added : “There are 131 spacerelated companies in Scotland. Last year, Glasgow built more satellites than any other area of Europe and Edinburgh now has an international reputation for Earth observation – monitoring weather, for example, or ship movements.

“We’ve always had a reputation for regulated industries such as oil and gas and it’s not a major step then into space technology.”

Joanne, a Fel low of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Aeronautical Society, says it is vital that more spaceports in Scotland and across the UK get the go-ahead.

She added: “At present in Britain, we have to go to France, India, China, Russia or the US to launch satellites.

“I worked for the European Space Agency for four years and was the main lawyer for human space flight but I used to get laughed at because the UK did not invest in human space flights.

“We are now recognising the value of space. We need to be able to launch satellites rather than wait in a queue for a launch date in another country.”

Joanne’s passion for space came during childhood at home in Trinity, Edinburgh, when her dad, who was a printer, brought home books on space he’d been producing.

She has also set up a Dragons’ Den-type initiative called Satellite Finance Network – for budding space entrepreneurs to help them get funding.

She was named European Lawyer of the Year in 2014 and got an MBE last year for services to the space industry. Joanne added: “Luckily, I’ve managed to turn turned a childhood interest into a career.”