Sara Alao is the Founder and CEO of Stars Edge Ltd, a UK-based space technology company pioneering sustained Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite platforms and propulsion systems for defined and currently of high interest dual-use applications. A PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering, she specialises in electric propulsion and adaptive cycle technologies. Sara also serves on the University of Manchester’s Aerospace IAB and has delivered TEDx talks on space sustainability and security. Recognised with the UK Space Agency’s Cosmic Strength Award, she is leading efforts to strengthen national and allied resilience in orbit, advancing cost-effective, manoeuvrable, and secure satellite capabilities for next-generation defence operations.