Over a dozen early-stage UK space technology and rocket launch projects have received a funding boost from the UK Space Agency.
Around £2.7mln has been allocated to support firms developing launch technology, products and services for the satellite industry and a nascent rocket launch sector that is expected to be worth £3.8bn to the economy.
The largest funding amounts are around £0.4mln, going to Norwich's Gravitilab Aerospace Service, which is developing its ISAAC suborbital launch vehicle; a Scottish trio made up of the Shetland Space Centre, which is installing equipment for sub-orbital launches; AltaRange, which is developing a lower-cost telemetry, tracking and termination system; and HyImpulse, as it prepares a motor test for a sub-orbital demonstration flight of what it says will be the most powerful European hybrid rocket ever flown to date.
Smaller amounts include £17,000 for London-based Space Prime, which is looking to demonstrate the ability to use advanced engineering materials, including natural cork and thermoplastics, for use in launcher propulsion systems and launch vehicles.
There is also £50,000 for a feasibility study to examine how the UK’s nuclear space power programme could widen and strengthen the use case for commercial spaceflight, conducted by London-based Rocket Engineering, working with the Nuclear Space Power Working Group.
In a statement, Ian Annett, deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said: "Funding new science and technology developments is crucial to growing the UK space sector and catalysing further investment into our economy.
"While we look forward to marking a major milestone in UK launch capabilities with the upcoming launch from Spaceport Cornwall, projects such as these ensure we have a growing pipeline of new technologies ready for lift-off to support our long-term ambitions."
Space funding and project details
- SaxaVord Space Centre (previously Shetland Space Centre), Scotland
- Funding: £378,000
As part of 'Project SkyReach', the Shetland Space Centre is building and installing a rocket launch rail for sub-orbital launches that can be used by different sounding rockets up to three tonnes gross lift-off weight, 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, due to begin launch activities early next year (a deal has been agreed for the Shetland site to become the location for the first space rocket to blast off from British soil, though the company developing the proposed rocket recently suffered a setback).
- HyImpulse, Shetland
- Funding: £399,000
German-owned HyImpulse is creating a Shetland-based motor test programme to implement design improvements for a green 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 flown to date - and it says at a fraction of the cost and a lower environmental impact compared to the competition. HyImpulse has also partnered with Cranfield University to analyse the liquid oxygen feed system.
- Gravitilab Aerospace Service, Norwich
- Funding: £400,000
The funding will help Gravitilab with its plans to develop a suborbital launch vehicle, ISAAC, from the advanced design and development stage through to design freeze and prototype build. The ISAAC launch vehicle aims to reach a maximum altitude of 250 kilometres with a payload mass of 20kg and a microgravity duration of around 300 seconds. In addition, this project also includes the acquisition and build of bespoke testing facilities.
- AltaRange Ltd, Scotland
- Funding: £400,000
AltaRange is planning a simulated test of its telemetry, tracking and termination system, which will provide customers with range services – the processes performed by license providers to reduce risks to the public and property throughout launch events – at lower costs. AltaRange aims to catalyse investment into Scotland while prioritising and upskilling local suppliers to provide specialised system parts.
- Space Prime, London
- Funding: £17,000
The funding will help Space Prime demonstrate the ability to recycle advanced engineering materials, including natural cork and thermoplastics, for use in high-temperature launcher propulsion system applications and launch vehicle structures. This capability will provide the UK launch market with solutions for thermal protection systems that offer a low environmental impact and opportunities for use across the engineering industry.
- UKLSL, London
- Funding: £26,000
UKLSL is developing tools to streamline the process of applying for spaceflight licences under the 2021 Space Industry Regulations (SIR). The project should reduce time and costs associated with preparing and maintaining a licence application for any organisation wishing to operate launch systems from UK spaceports, and also satellite operators wishing to launch or operate satellites from the UK, making the UK a more attractive launch option for customers.
- Rocket Engineering, London
- Funding: £50,000
The cash will help fund a commercial feasibility study to examine how the UK’s nuclear space power programme, coordinated by the Nuclear Space Power (NSP) Working Group, could significantly widen and strengthen the use case for commercial spaceflight. 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 development of both launch and power services for commercial spaceflight and deep space exploration.
- European Astrotech, Westcott
- Funding: £54,000
European Astrotech got the cash to develop, build and gain qualification for a propellant loading cart (ground support equipment, or GSE) to service satellites with electric propulsion systems using xenon or krypton. This project expands on the firm’s established fuelling GSE to provide a similar, low-cost service to customers using satellites with electric propulsion.
- SmallSpark Space Systems, Cardiff
- Funding: £76,000
"Book a ride on the UK's first reusable cislunar payload transport bus", instructs the SmallSpark's website. The funding is for the development and maturation of SmallSpark’s dual-firing mode propulsion system, the S4-NEWT-A2; which will form part of the architecture of its S4-SLV in-space logistics vehicle (SLV), and as a candidate system for upper-stage launch vehicles. The SLV seeks to provide logistics support for small satellites and aims to remove the need for manufacturers to develop dedicated propulsion, power and communications systems, by providing all of these onboard its reusable vehicle. A demo mission is slated for 2024 onboard one of the UK’s upcoming launch vehicles and is designed to service up to 60 satellites in a lifetime; with slot reservations available on the SmallSpark site.
- Lúnasa, Harwell
- Funding: £216,000
This funding is aimed to reach technology readiness level for Lúnasa’s reusable dual-stage spacecraft which will provide in-space logistics and infrastructure services for small satellites. The first-of-its-kind vehicle will fit the type of launch vehicles planned for use from UK spaceports, offering satellite operators opportunities to reach otherwise unattainable or fuel-exhaustive orbits. This project, funded in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult at Harwell will focus on de-risking the vehicle’s rendezvous proximity operations and docking capabilities.
- Magdrive, Harwell
- Funding: £250,000
Next stage of development for the Magdrive kick-stage for launch, which will allow satellites launched from the UK to reach higher altitudes and new orbits, filling a supply chain gap and building resilience in the UK launch market. The kick-stage uses the Magdrive electric plasma thruster, which can future-proof against the risk of colliding with or causing space debris by rapidly burning.
- Discover Space, Scotland
- Funding: £227,000
The funding will help its work with the University of Glasgow to develop the MachLab propulsion and space research laboratory, which will offer testing capabilities of earth-storable and cryogenic rocket engines of up to 10kN. The facility will offer ancillary testing capabilities to support a wide range of propulsion systems at various technology readiness levels. The project also includes designing the first UK propellant densification system and high-thrust test facilities for full-scale launch vehicles.
- TISICS Metal Composites, Farnborough
- Funding: £123,000 (grant amount)
TISICS is looking to develop launcher components that demise during re-entry, eliminating space debris. TISICS lightweight tanks for launchers will enable a UK on-shore supply chain for high-value propulsion components. TISICS innovative manufacturing capability provides short lead time, low-cost, customer-optimised solutions which will ensure lasting competitive advantage to the UK’s commercial spaceflight ambitions.