Secure AI Assistant to Enhance Efficiency at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

C5 Alliance is proud to have designed and built SIMBA, a secure AI-powered digital assistant, for Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), a long-time pioneer in small satellites and spacecraft. SSTL wanted to explore how AI could streamline operations and enhance the employee experience by providing quick access to information, automating routine tasks, and supporting employees across different functions. To fully realise these benefits, they required a solution that seamlessly integrated with their internal systems while maintaining strict security and compliance standards.

The Challenge

To meet this challenge, C5 Alliance developed SIMBA (Surrey’s Intelligent Messaging Bot and Assistant) — a secure AI assistant designed to enhance efficiency, improve workflows, and support employees in their daily tasks, working securely with SSTL’s own data. Built within SSTL’s environment using Microsoft’s AI technology, SIMBA provides a safe and scalable way to harness the power of Generative AI while ensuring strict data security and conformance to industry and regulatory obligations.

A key requirement was to deploy a private GPT-4 model that could integrate seamlessly with SSTL’s existing infrastructure through a web-based interface. The project also had to ensure compliance with Responsible AI principles and industry best practices, customise the interface to align with SSTL’s branding and optimise AI-generated responses for accuracy and reliability.

The Solution

To achieve this vision, C5 Alliance reviewed SSTL’s infrastructure and deployed SIMBA within their environment. The AI assistant was designed with an intuitive, branded interface, enabling employees to interact with it in a user-friendly way. To optimise performance, C5 Alliance applied prompt engineering techniques, fine-tuned responses and implemented necessary restrictions to ensure accuracy and reliability. Additionally, a disclaimer was added to reinforce transparency in AI-driven interactions.

“Embracing AI as a core component of our Transformation strategy is not just about keeping pace with industry advancements—it’s about reshaping the future of satellite manufacturing. By integrating AI-driven innovation, we are enhancing precision, streamlining operations, and accelerating development timelines, positioning ourselves to lead in a rapidly evolving space industry.” –

Steve Khetani, Digital Transformation Manager, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited

“We are delighted to have collaborated with SSTL to develop SIMBA, a secure AI assistant tailored to their operational needs. By integrating cutting-edge AI technology within SSTL’s Azure environment, we have ensured a seamless, secure, and scalable solution that enhances efficiency while maintaining compliance with the highest industry standards. This project exemplifies how responsible AI adoption can drive real business value, and we look forward to supporting SSTL on their continued innovation journey.” –

John Gamble, Director of Data and AI, C5 Alliance

By delivering SIMBA, C5 Alliance has equipped SSTL with a powerful, secure AI assistant that enhances productivity, streamlines workflows, and supports employees in their daily tasks. This project sets a new benchmark for AI adoption in the aerospace sector, demonstrating how secure AI solutions can drive operational efficiency while maintaining compliance and data integrity.

Get in touch with C5 Alliance today to explore how our innovative solutions can help you unlock new insights and drive proactive decision-making.