1. A N a t i o n a l S p a c e Te c h n o l o g y
Strategy for the UK
A c c e s s To S p a c e
Areas of Market UK Capability, Position and Overview of Programmes
Opportunity and Growth International Competition Identified
Access to Space covers a wide range of The UK has proven capability across a Short term – focus on miniaturisation:
technologies and markets, from launch diverse range of Access to Space build a programme around CubeSat
vehicles through to de-orbiting devices. technologies. platforms and UKube1 to deliver the
Access is about the ability to exploit We are pioneering work in reusable next generation of high performance,
space for applications (commercial, launch vehicles, with space plane low cost small satellites. Use UK
military or scientific). The technologies technologies. Current commercial expertise in MEMS technology to
to exploit new applications may not efforts are based on traditional ground drive a step change on spacecraft
exist yet, and therefore need to be on launched rocket technologies and do electronics, sensors and actuators.
our roadmap in order to ensure that the not provide the step change in cost Medium Term – Responsive small
UK is in a leading position in the areas model that could revolutionise the satellite launch vehiclesfor air-launch
where we currently have market share, market. Developments in ultra-small from UK based airfield assets and-
technological strength and growth launch vehicles, with lift capacities of building on existing UK propulsion
potential. 10-50kg, are in development in the capabilities,plus development of low
Recent developments in low-cost USA, but with a military responsive cost autonomous control systems.
spacecraft technologies will realise space focus making them expensive Development of supporting ground
frequent deployment ofconstellations of and not desirable for commercial or infrastructure
spacecraft,providing previously unach- scientific use. Current UK capability in Longer term – Developments to
ievable high temporal resolutions. propulsionsystemscould exploit this support low-cost orbital
Furthermore, applications are becom- market gap. infrastructure, including inter-orbital
ing more ambitious, requiring space- We are leading Europe in large space- transportation and de-orbiting
craft platforms to provide higher craft structures and new on-board technologies – propulsion/
performance across all aspects from propulsion techniques, including Solar structures/ autonomous-robotic
structures and power, to attitude Electric Propulsion and ‘green’ propel- systems, launcher upper stage
control. lants. These systems will provide developments for flexible injection
Access is also about delivering space- inter-orbital transfer capabilities from and reusable launch systems
craft to orbit. The commercial market Earth orbit manoeuvres to interplan-
for launch vehicles currently promises etary transfer.
many opportunities for new market For many years, we have led the World Investment “Ask”
entrants. This is especially driven by in small satellite technologies, now one
the need for more responsive launches of the highest growth sectors in the
from Industry and
and the growth in plug and play small space market, and the UK is perfectly Government Collectively
platforms. The market is valued at positioned to take this forward through
£100m/year with 300 small satellites the continued development of next • On-going CubeSat programme.
launched/year by 2015. generation small satellites and £1m/year for 5 years = £5m
Technology, systems and a regulatory CubeSats, building on existing strong • Space system miniaturisation
(licensing) and legislative frameworkt- brands. developments £2.5m
hat encourages investment in the UK • Nanosatellite launch, deployment
forsafe, affordable personal and constellation development
spaceflight.an market example being technologies: £5m
Virgin Galactic investing nearly £500m • Inter-orbital transfer capability: £5m
with first flights expected in 2012. • Reusable Launch Vehicle technolo-
gies £20m
• Large satellite platform technologies
development £10m
Novel
engine
developments, and
game-changing capablity
in launch systems, such as
those seen on SKYLON,
allow new methods of
payload delivery and return
to earth, providing
re-usable launch
systems
capability.
w w w. a a d k t n . c o . u k / S p a c e S I G