Interview with Ian Jarritt, Finance Director of ManSat Limited
By: Liz Corlett
31 October 2008
When did the Island first begin to establish a space ‘sector’?
The Isle of Man space industry was pioneered by ManSat, an Isle of Man company, and in particular by Manx born and educated Chris Stott, its Chairman and CEO. ManSat was formed in 1998 and in 2001 entered into a contract with the Isle of Man Government to act as its agent in the filing of applications with the International Telecommunications Union (see below) for orbital positions to be occupied by communications satellites.
Later that year ManSat won its first contract with a major American Satellite Operator and since that time the business has grown steadily so that now eight space-related companies, or nine including ManSat, have corporate representation in the Isle of Man.
Can you give a brief explanation of the Island’s role in providing access to geostationary orbit?
The process for securing the positions in space occupied by communications satellites is a complex one. By international agreement, the responsibility for allocation rests with a United Nations body, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a not-for-profit international organisation which is based in Geneva. By international agreement and treaty, all spectrum, from cell phones through to satellites, is allocated by the ITU to nation states, hence the involvement of the Isle of Man Government, and in particular the Isle of Man Communications Commission, on behalf of which ManSat makes applications to the ITU via Ofcom in London.
Securing the position is only part of the process. Once allocated, the procedures for co-ordinating the frequencies and the power levels used by a particular satellite must be undertaken. These procedures involve face to face meetings with operators having satellites in the immediate vicinity to ensure the possibility of interference between one spacecraft and another is avoided. This can involve many operators in many jurisdictions and is a complex and time consuming procedure. ManSat has the skills necessary to guide Isle of Man-based operators through this process.
What are the financial benefits of directing space business towards the Isle of Man?
Space business is highly capital intensive with large insurance requirements. The Isle of Man with its world class financial services sector is well placed to serve the needs of the space industry. Add to this the advantageous tax arrangements within the Island generally and the broad range of specialised peripheral services in, for example, the fields of legal and accounting support and the Island compares very favourably with its competitors for this business.
How does the Island’s regulatory framework assist companies within the space sector?
In the majority of jurisdictions, undertaking satellite filing services the regulatory process is long and arduous. Because of its small size and the fact that it has devoted resources, such as ManSat and a dedicated Government department, the Office for Space Commerce, to specialise in the regulatory aspects of space commerce, the Isle of Man is able to address individual filing applications in a quick and efficient way. All international regulations are covered and the speed of approach does not involve any diminution in the attention which is paid to detail, both as regards the operators’ requirements and those of the international regulatory body.
What do you believe will be the most interesting developments in this area over the next ten years?
In developmental terms, we are just at the beginning for space-based commercial enterprises. For the majority of the second half of the Twentieth Century space was the preserve of countries not companies. The advent of satellite television in the final decade of the last century was the beginning of a wider commercial exploitation of space. Since then, we have seen developments such as satellite navigation in vehicles, satellite telephones to provide service in remote areas where the terrestrial services cannot operate and, increasingly, the provision of broadband internet services via satellite.
The future holds many promises. Space tourism is beginning to be spoken of today; it will be a fact very soon. Spacecraft have already landed on asteroids and the potential for mineral extraction and return to earth is already a technical possibility although at present the cost outweighs the benefit. That is unlikely to be the case for ever. Scientific research conducted on spacecraft in zero gravity conditions is likely to produce new medicines for the benefit of all and research is also underway on the harnessing of energy resources from space for use on earth.
An Isle of Man company, CVI Optics, produced the optical equipment used on the Phoenix Mars Lander which is providing stunning scientific data from the surface of the planet Mars and in fact was instrumental in the discovery of snow on Mars. There will be more scientific exploration as craft explore in increasing depth the various components of our solar system and, moving further afield, the replacement for the Hubble telescope will enable greater understanding of the universe beyond our immediate vicinity.
In all these enterprises, the Isle of Man is ready and prepared to provide the support and infrastructure to provide the space Industry with ‘Freedom to Flourish’.