Wed, 19 Nov 2025 If you’ve ever spent time in our Bordon facility, you’ll know that composites is both a craft and a science - and that it takes steady hands and sharp eyes to do it well. Few people embody that combination better than Dave Howe, our vastly experienced Composites Manager, who has been part of SSTL’s journey since 2009 and helped shape almost every major mission we’ve built since.

“I grew up in Hartlepool and my early career began with an apprenticeship in toolmaking at GEC, which gave me a solid foundation in precision engineering. From there, I was drawn into the emerging world of composites - first at Marconi Space Systems in Portsmouth, which is where I was in 1985 when SSTL was formed. And then later through some unforgettable years in motorsport, working with Ferrari, Benetton and Tyrrell Racing. It was fast-paced, exacting, and hugely rewarding.

When I returned to the space sector, I was part of B3 Technologies, and when SSTL began subcontracting work to us, I got to know the team well. When B3 closed its doors, Ian Wield, Ahmed and I were given the opportunity to set up SSTL’s own composites department from scratch - something I’m still incredibly proud of.

Since joining SSTL, I’ve worked on the composite components for most of our missions, with a particular highlight, certainly in size, being the DMC-3 imagers. The precision and attention to detail needed in this field never fades.. and that’s what keeps it so satisfying.”

From Formula 1 to the world of small satellites, Dave’s career has been a study in craft, speed, and precision. We’re proud to have him leading our composites capability.. quietly ensuring that every composite material we send into orbit meets the highest standards of quality and performance.