Surrey Space Centre

Welcome to George Sadler, who’s just starting his PhD with us through the R2T2 (Rocketry Research Teaching Training) consortium, which seeks to support skills development for the space launch industry and develop great rocket propulsion engineers.   The University of Surrey is one of nine universities involved with the UK Space Agency-funded R2T2 consortium, which also includes ten industry partners.   George’s research, in collaboration with URA Thrusters, will develop electrodeless electrothermal thrusters for a high-efficiency, solar-electric space transportation vehicle. This will enhance the range of orbits which can be reached following launch from UK launch sites like SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.   Electrodeless electrothermal thrusters aim to provide a balance between the efficient propellant utilisation of electric propulsion systems and the high thrust of chemical rockets, while overcoming the limitations that current implementations face in performance and durability due to material limits. These thrusters can also work using sustainable and clean propellants like water.   George will also be getting involved with the Jovian-1 mission which the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton are all involved with, and which is building students’ hands-on mission experience. George will be supporting with mechanical engineering and will help carry out vibration testing of the satellite.   George said, “I’m very excited to transition to the space engineering field as I conduct my research within the Surrey Space Centre and use their excellent facilities like the vacuum chambers. Being part of the R2T2 program provides intensive training and collaboration opportunities with industry and other universities. It is also great to get hands-on experience with space hardware through opportunities like the Jovian project.   Find out more about R2T2 at www.r2t2.org.uk and browse our LinkedIn for regular updates about Jovian-1.

Our colleagues in the Institute for Communications Systems (ICS) are recruiting a Professor in Satellite Communications. They're after someone with wide knowledge of satellite communications and/or advanced wireless technologies, who ideally also has experience working with industry. They need candidates with a proven record of research. Current research in ICS covers intelligent network protocols and architectures, MIMO detection, air interfaces, antenna, electromagnetic engineering and modelling, RIS, channel characterisation for all communication and connectivity systems from space to terrestrial systems. Satellite communications feature in our MSc courses (like this one: https://lnkd.in/eFv9hRsc) as well as our very successful one-week courses to industry (see https://lnkd.in/e5m-56dA). The successful candidate will contribute to these, as well as undertake other teaching duties in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the School. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/ep-wDbyv.

Great to be able to discuss space in Westminster yesterday via the All-Party Parliamentary Group on space.

🚀 The Space Economy: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity 🌍✨ Space is no longer just for astronauts—it's the next big economic frontier. From satellite mega-constellations to space tourism and asteroid mining, the commercialisation of space is unlocking massive opportunities. With the global space economy set to hit $1 trillion by 2040, now is the time to pay attention. But challenges like regulation, space debris, and sustainability must be addressed to ensure long-term success. 💡 The question is: Are you ready to be part of the space revolution? 👉 Read my latest article to explore the future of the space economy. #SpaceEconomy #Innovation #FutureOfBusiness #Technology #Leadership 🚀

Calling all space early career professionals!📢 Attendee Support Packages for ISRSE-40 are available! Support is provided to eligible students, early-career scientists, apprentices, and professionals attending ISRSE-40 through packages funded by international space agencies. The packages will allow the next generation of Earth scientists to attend the symposium and promote the importance of Earth observation for understanding and addressing global challenges to the wider space community. Packages will be provided to those successfully selected for an abstract or poster. For more information on the criteria and to register your submission, visit: https://lnkd.in/eaYm3weH #Students #EarthObservation #RemoteSensing #Apprentices #Scientists Space South Central Farnborough International Space Show Space4Climate University of Surrey Imperial College London European Space Agency - ESA NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Satellite Applications Catapult UKspace Farnborough International

Dr Sungwoo Lim has a new paper published in Nature Scientific Report on the viscosity and processing of molten lunar regolith, which he worked on with collaborators at The Open University and the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC). Read it at https://lnkd.in/e_VkDy7n. We asked Sungwoo to explain what the paper covers. "As we are trying to build habitats on the Moon using microwave heating and 3D printing methods, we need to understand the material behaviour when it is fully molten or sintered," he said. "We examined how the molten lunar regolith’s viscosity affects practical operations such as an extrusion-based 3D printing technique. We also discussed the power demands to maintain the high temperatures required for keeping the regolith molten and highlighted the challenges and considerations for implementing in-situ resource utilisation in lunar construction." He also showed us a sped-up video of one his experiments. It shows a lunar regolith simulant (JSC-1A) in a crucible melting under microwave heating. His team observed it via a viewfinder on the microwave cavity. Find out more about the Lunar Construction and In-Situ Resource Utilisation research group at https://lnkd.in/g7CzzsS8. James Bowen - Vibha Levin Prabhu, PhD - Mahesh Anand

Here's some detail about one of the payloads on the #Jovian-1 satellite that the University of Surrey is developing along with the University of Southampton and the University of Portsmouth, the original members of Space South Central. Students from all the universities are involved, getting important hands-on mission experience - skills the UK space sector is crying out for.

Fantastic work from one of our PhD students - great job, Abi!

We’ve had some great conversations so far and met a good number of space enthusiasts, innovators, and thought leaders. If you haven’t stopped by yet, there’s still time. Find us at stand number 4! #IgniteSpace #Networking #SpaceInnovation

Great to see Richard Foster-Turner from ATOUT PROCESS, whose smart fuel tank - developed with the #SpaceCraft project - will head to the International Space Station. This groundbreaking technology will revolutionise fuel measurement in space, solving a major challenge for future space missions.   A fantastic example of UK innovation pushing the boundaries of space exploration! Come and see us at stand 4 to talk about how we can help your organisation. #SpaceTech #Innovation #Surrey #ISS #IgniteSpace