This week saw the official opening of the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in the United Kingdom, an infrastructure that allows ground testing of satellites weighing up to seven tons.
The center, located in Harwell, Oxfordshire, has cost £100 million (US$127 million) and houses the UK’s largest space test chamber. The opening ceremony was attended by government authorities and representatives of space companies, including members of the European Space Agency (ESA), which recently signed a contract with the NSTF to test the Ariel mission payload.
National Satellite Test Center on the Ariel Mission
The Ariel mission aims to study the chemical composition of about 1000 exoplanets, with RAL (Rutherford Appleton) Space leading the international payload consortium, and the science mission being led by University College London (UCL).
In addition to Ariel, agreements are in place to test ESA’s FLEX earth observation satellite on behalf of Thales Alenia Space and the UK Ministry of Defence’s SKYNET 6A communications satellite with Airbus Defence and Space later this year.
On the other hand, STFC’s executive chairman, Professor Mark Thomson, together with RAL Space’s director, Dr. Sarah Beardsley and the chief executive of the UK Space Agency, Dr. Paul Bate, as well as representatives of leading UK space companies, were present at the event.
Technology and employment at Harwell
The STFC includes a dynamic suite, where the satellites are subjected to vibrations and sound levels that simulate those of a rocket launch. rocket launch . It also has a 7-meter-diameter space test chamber to replicate the vacuum and temperature conditions of space. It also has a camera for antenna and electromagnetic compatibility testing, allowing safe evaluation of satellite communication systems.
Operated by RAL Space, this center already manages a series of vacuum chambers up to 5 meters in diameter and a smaller vibration facility. The opening of the NSTF has directly generated 30 new jobs.
The dr. Sarah Beardsley expressed her satisfaction with the opening of the center, noting that this achievement is significant for both RAL Space and the entire UK space sector.
Moment of construction of the NSTF. Source: RAL Space
Boost for space testing in the United Kingdom
For his part, Dr. Paul Bate emphasized the importance of having world-class facilities that can simulate the harsh conditions of space, noting that“once a satellite is in orbit, the options are limited if something goes wrong.” Bate added that the NSTF will benefit satellite manufacturers throughout the UK, thanks to the suite of services provided by STFC RAL Space’s team of experts.
The development of the National Satellite Test Facility will not only boost the UK’s testing capability, but will also position the country as a global leader in space technology. This development aligns with the growing investment in the space sector, which is key to future exploration and interplanetary missions.
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Source and photo: aerospacetestinginternational
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