The Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire has welcomed its new satellite manufacturing and operations facility.
Astroscale Limited’s move from its previous facility to its new facility, Zeus, has increased space by 900%, covering approximately 20,000 square feet, with a high-spec satellite manufacturing facility, satellite operations center and for 120 staff can accommodate offices of
The facility will enable Astroscale to build a satellite debris removal servicer satellite and rapidly develop a commercial product over the next few years, further contributing to the growth, innovation and manufacturing potential of the UK space sector.
Astroscale’s new bespoke UK headquarters is located at the heart of the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus Space Cluster, in close proximity to partners such as the British Space Agency, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Satellite Applications Catapult and the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. I’m here. Your partner in the space industry. This strategic location will enable Astroscale to lead the development of the Orbital Service Supply chain and the commercial services economy through the creation of new jobs, national capacity and world-leading facilities in the UK.
Nobuo Okada, Founder and CEO of Astroscale, said: “This facility will support our UK operations’ ambitious growth plans and will enable us to work with our partners to drive the development of the UK commercial on-orbit services market. Acting now will benefit future generations. We will ensure a sustainable space economy in the future.”
The UK continues to be a leader in both policy and technology development on space debris removal and sustainability. Recent strategic announcements include the UK National Space Strategy 2021, the UK Space Agency’s Corporate Plan 2022-25 and, more recently, the Plan for Space Sustainability (23 June 2022). , underscores the UK government’s commitment to building on UK pioneers. Establish global leadership in space sustainability with dominance in space robotics and on-orbit services and manufacturing (IOSM).
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the British Space Agency, said: “The UK is leading the effort to make space more sustainable, supporting companies such as Astroscale to design innovative new missions to remove dangerous space debris. It’s great to see this state-of-the-art facility open, bring new capabilities to the UK and create over 100 jobs in the Harwell Space cluster.”
Astroscale has demonstrated international reach with roots in Asia (Japan, Singapore), expanding to the UK in 2017, the US (2019) and Israel (2020). Inward and UK investment, both government and private sector, remains important at this transformational stage of the on-orbit services market.
“By 2030, we want to make debris removal and on-orbit servicing part of our daily routine. Government and industry interests that share our ambition to push the boundaries of innovation and space technology.” Only by working closely with our stakeholders can we achieve this,” said Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale Limited. “Together, we can create an orbital economy and new high-value jobs that ensure space is safe and sustainable for future generations.”
“As a fast-growing space business, opening our own facility in the UK to design and manufacture astroscale debris removal and satellite services satellites is a transformative moment for us,” adds Shave. “We will also leverage our long-standing partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult for space mission operations for future orbital service missions, including the ELSA-M multi-client removal service, and will evaluate utilization of the STFC National Space Test Facility,” said Harwell. It’s also a landmark moment for Astroscale, which will create new homes for its 120 staff members, many of whom recently announced plans to remove two defunct satellites from low-Earth orbit. We will immediately begin working on the recently announced active debris removal mission for the British Space Agency.”
Astroscale celebrated the successful operation of this year’s and last year’s ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration) missions. ELSA-d was the world’s first commercial debris removal demonstration mission, proving the magnetic capture technology required for end-to-end low-orbit satellite services.
On the heels of this success, ESA and the British Space Agency have approved the OneWeb Sunrise Partnership Program for the continued development of the next astroscale service model, ELSA-M, capable of servicing multiple satellites on a single mission. . Scheduled for launch in 2024, ELSA-M will be manufactured and operated in Harwell’s Zeus Building to expedite commercial debris removal services for satellite constellation customers committed to developing a responsible and sustainable space economy. create a platform for development.
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is internationally recognized as the world’s leading center for innovation and technology with over 200 organizations, £3 billion national facilities and over 6,000 employees.
Harwell Campus CEO Stuart Grant said: “Astroscale’s new facility in Zeusville will enable them to further develop their innovative commercial products, create jobs, drive inward investment and drive growth in the nation’s space sector.”
“Harwell brings together leading space companies, national facilities and research expertise with organizations in the life sciences, quantum and energy technology sectors to create an exciting environment for interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships.”-STFC “Astroscale’s phenomenal growth is a testament to this thriving innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem and the important role of the Harwell Space Cluster as a gateway to the UK space sector.”
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