[ad_1]
The UK Space Agency has announced £2.7 million for 13 early-stage technology projects to support the growing satellite launch sector in England, Scotland and Wales.
The UK is home to a thriving satellite manufacturing industry and is on track to become the first country in Europe to offer commercial launch services to small satellite manufacturers from a range of spaceports offering horizontal and vertical rocket launch capabilities.
Funding from the agency’s newly launched UK Technology Investment Program will support teams from industry and universities to develop technologies, products and services that will enhance the UK spaceflight supply chain, strengthen international competitiveness and catalyze further investment.
One project will recycle materials, including natural cork, to create thermal protection solutions for the launcher propulsion system and launch vehicles with less environmental impact, while another will develop launcher components from lighter and more cost-effective metal alloys, which will reduce manufacturing risk. space debris. Two other projects will follow next year.
UK Space Agency Deputy CEO Ian Annett said:
Funding the development of new science and technology is vital to the development of the UK’s space sector and to catalyze further investment in our economy.
While we look forward to a major milestone in the UK’s launch capabilities with the next launch from Spaceport Cornwall, projects like this ensure we have a growing pipeline of new technologies to support our long-term ambitions.
Launch services are potentially worth £3.8 billion to the UK economy over the next decade. The UK Space Agency is already delivering a program of spaceflight projects, including the maiden launch of Virgin Orbit from Spaceport Cornwall, which will carry nine satellites into orbit early next year.
Spaceports are also under construction in Sutherland and Shetland, which will host vertical rocket launches from national and international launch providers. Further spaceports are under development elsewhere in Scotland and Wales, with the potential to host a wide range of new and innovative launch technologies.
Detailed project
Organization: Space Prime, London
Funding: £17,000
Summary: Demonstrate the ability to recycle advanced engineering materials, including natural cork and thermoplastics, for use in high temperature launch propulsion system applications and launch vehicle structures. This capability will provide the UK launch market with solutions for thermal protection systems that offer low environmental impact and opportunities for use across the engineering industry.
Institution: UKLSL, London
Funding: £26,000
Summary: Develop tools to streamline the process of applying for spaceflight licenses under the 2021 Space Industry Regulations (SIR). The project should reduce the time and costs associated with preparing and maintaining license applications for any organization wishing to operate launch systems from UK spaceports, as well as making the UK a more attractive launch option for satellite operators wishing to launch or operate satellites from the UK. customers
Institute: Rocket Engineering, London
Funding: £50,000
Summary: A commercial feasibility study to examine how the UK’s nuclear space power program could significantly expand and strengthen the use case for commercial spaceflight, coordinated by the Nuclear Space Power (NSP) Working Group. This will enable the UK to deliver innovative space power services, leading to new launch contracts, a wider role for government and spaceports and the potential to stimulate the development of both launch and power services for commercial spaceflight and deep space exploration.
Organization: European Astrotech, Westcott
Funding: £54,000
Summary: Development, construction and qualification of a propellant loading cart (GSE) for service satellites with electric propulsion systems using xenon or krypton. The project expands on the firm’s established fuel GSE to provide similar, lower-cost service to customers using satellites with electric propulsion.
Organization: Smallspark Space Systems, Cardiff
Funding: £76,000
Summary: Development and Maturation of SmallSpark’s Dual-Firing Mode Propulsion System, S4-NEWT-A2; which will form part of the architecture of its S4-SLV in-space logistics vehicle, and as a candidate system for upper stage launch vehicles. SLV seeks to provide logistics support for small satellites and aims to eliminate the need for manufacturers to develop dedicated propulsion, power and communications systems, all onboard its reusable vehicle. A demo mission is scheduled for 2024 on one of the UK’s next launch vehicles and is designed to service up to 60 satellites in a lifetime; With slot reservations available on the SmallSpark site.
Organization: Lunasa, Harwell
Funding: £216,000
Summary: Reach technology readiness level for Lunasa’s reusable dual-stage spacecraft that will provide in-space logistics and infrastructure services for small satellites. The first vehicle of its kind will fit the type of launch vehicles planned for use from UK spaceports, giving satellite operators access to otherwise inaccessible or fuel-rich orbits. Funded in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult at Harwell, the project will focus on de-risking the vehicle’s rendezvous proximity operations and docking capabilities.
Organization: MagDrive, Harwell
Funding: £250,000
Summary: The next phase of development for the MagDrive kick-stage for launch, which will allow satellites launched from the UK to reach higher altitudes and new orbits, fill supply chain gaps and build resilience in the UK launch market. The kick-stage MagDrive uses an electric plasma thruster, which can future-proof it against the risk of being hit by or caused by space debris after burning rapidly.
Organization: Shetland Space Centre, Scotland
Funding: £378,000
Summary: Project Skyreach will build and install rocket launch rails for sub-orbital launches that can be used by a variety of sounding rockets up to a total lift-off weight of up to three tonnes, giving rocket launch providers in the UK the ability to test components of their vehicles. In advance of orbital launch. SkyReach is planned for SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, as launch activities begin early next year.
Organization: HyImpulse, Shetland
Funding: £399,000
Summary: Create a Shetland-based motor test program to implement design improvements for an advanced hybrid rocket, which will power the company’s sub-orbital and orbital launch vehicles. This is an important step towards the sub-orbital demonstration flight, which will be the most powerful European hybrid rocket ever. HyImpulse has also partnered with Cranfield University to analyze liquid oxygen feed systems.
Organization: GravityLab Aerospace Services Ltd, Norwich
Funding: £400,000
Summary: GravityLab’s suborbital launch vehicle, ISAAC, is planned to be developed from the advanced design and development phase to design freeze and prototype build. The ISAAC launch vehicle aims to reach a maximum altitude of 250km with a payload mass of 20kg and a microgravity duration of about 300 seconds. Additionally, the project also involves acquisition and construction of bespoke test facilities.
Organization: Altarange Limited, Scotland
Funding: £400,000
Summary: Plans for a simulated test of UltraRange’s telemetry, tracking and termination systems, which will provide customers with range services – processes performed by licensees to reduce risks to the public and property during launch events – at a lower cost. AltaRange aims to catalyze investment in Scotland while prioritizing and upkilling local suppliers to supply specialist system components.
Organization: Discover Space, Scotland
Funding: £227,000
Summary: Work with the University of Glasgow to develop the MachLab Propulsion and Space Research Laboratory, which will provide Earth-storable and cryogenic rocket engine testing capabilities up to 10kN. The facility will provide ancillary test capabilities to support a wide range of propulsion systems at various technological readiness levels. The project also included designing the first UK propellant densification system and high-thrust test facilities for full scale launch vehicles.
Organization: TISICS Metal Composites, Farnborough
Funding: £123,000 (grant amount)
Summary: Develop launcher components that die during re-entry, removing space debris. TISICS lightweight tanks for launchers will enable the UK on-shore supply chain for high-value propulsion components. TISICS innovative manufacturing capability provides short lead time, low cost, customer optimized solutions that will ensure a lasting competitive advantage for the UK’s commercial spaceflight ambitions.
[ad_2]
Source link
