RAL Space to Support New Test Facility

STFC RAL Space will be contributing to the operations at the UK Space Agency’s new £4.12 million National Propulsion Test Facility at Westcott, Bucks, by acting as an independent broker for booking test slots and overseeing the testing schedule to ensure that it is carried out fairly among users.

In addition to a seat on the board of the new facility, The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space will also offer business development support and provide a level of assurance to UKSA that the operations of the National Facility are carried out to the appropriate standards, both from a quality and a safety aspect.

Dr Christopher Mutlow, Director of RAL Space at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, welcomed the announcement and said: “The management and business development of Westcott provides a great opportunity for STFC RAL Space to work with the UK Space Agency, ESA and industry, applying our established expertise in developing and managing key space facilities to benefit the UK and European space communities”

The UK Space Agency are using the investment on a new vacuum facility which, when used together with the existing industry owned rocket firing test cells, will allow the simulation of high altitude testing of thrusters up to 2kN; to upgrade an existing industry owned test chamber to improve capabilities in the 25N thrust range and to open the facilities, alongside a smaller 1N thruster test chamber at the site, for the community to use.

The European Space Agency (ESA) are also advising and overseeing the initial detailed design phase before a review in the autumn to move to full implementation.