RAL Space Events and conferences

Events and conferences

Hidden galaxies could answer key questions about our Universe
Researchers have peered back in time to find what appears to be a population of ‘hidden’ galaxies that could hold the key to unlocking some of the Universe’s fundamental secrets.
Ariel undergoes the UK’s first space acoustic tests
The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) has hosted the UK’s first tests designed to simulate the intense acoustic environment of rocket launch.
NASA’s PUNCH satellites successfully launch to study the solar wind
Following successful launch in the early hours of Wednesday morning (12 March 2025) UK time, the PUNCH spacecraft are poised to begin their two-year mission to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and its transformation into the solar wind.
UK-built camera systems set to launch on NASA mission to study the Sun
Teams in Oxfordshire have played a crucial role in a pioneering NASA mission launching this week, set to transform our understanding of the Sun’s atmosphere and space weather.
Studying the Sun: 5 years of Solar Orbiter
Launched on 10 February 2020, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter mission has brought scientists closer to the Sun than any mission before. RAL Space is celebrating 5 years of one of the mission’s instruments in particular – SPICE.
Celebrating the 20th Appleton Space Conference
For 20 years, the Appleton Space Conference has been at the heart of the UK’s space sector, uniting industry leaders, researchers and innovators to highlight the latest achievements in space science and technology.
New facility for small satellites set to boost UK EO sector
A new national facility set to boost the UK’s thriving Earth observation sector with access to world-leading instrumentation and expertise is open for business.
Small Satellite Calibration Facility
First science results from WEAVE detail dramatic galaxy collision
A 2-million-mph galaxy collision has been observed in new detail thanks to WEAVE – a cutting-edge upgrade to the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) led by RAL Space and the University of Oxford.
NASA selects proposal involving UK scientists for further study, as they seek to address ‘secrets of the Universe’
A study involving RAL Space scientists has been selected by NASA as one of two proposals they are considering for a $1 billion astrophysics mission.
20th Appleton Space Conference
This major space conference on Thursday 5th December 2024 celebrates the latest advancements in space science, Earth observation and technology development.
Salsa’s last dance: Cluster operations team prepares for satellite re-entry
Preparations are underway for this Sunday, when Salsa, the first of four satellites making up ESA’s Cluster mission, will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere after over 24 years in space.
Leading pioneering projects to improve understanding of climate change
RAL Space is leading three of seven projects making up a programme to support rapid development of innovative Earth observation instruments monitoring the climate and marine environment in new ways.
Mini lab supported by RAL Space secures NASA ride to the Moon
Developed by the Open University with support from RAL Space, ProSPA will fly to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.
Decode Exoplanet Atmospheres Using AI: Ariel Data Challenge 2024 Awaits
Artificial Intelligence experts are being challenged to help tackle one of astronomy’s most complex and important data analysis problems.
Funding boost for innovative RAL Space projects
DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle has announced a £33m programme of national space projects, including three led by RAL Space, on the opening day of Farnborough Airshow.
Madeleine Russell - Head of Communications
Madeleine leads the communications team at RAL Space having worked in the team since 2017.
Space at UKRI
A cornerstone of the government’s ambitions for the UK in space.
Lucas Ward
Precision Computer Numerical Control Machinist
First Sentinel-5 instrument leaves RAL Space for satellite integration
The first Sentinel-5 instrument has left RAL Space for integration onto the MetOp-SG A satellite, where it will contribute to improved monitoring of air quality, changes in the ozone layer, and emissions from wildfires.
Anna Marchant
Quantum sensors research engineer
EarthCARE launched to explore impact of clouds and aerosols on Earth's climate
The European Space Agency’s EarthCARE satellite, which is set to revolutionise understanding of how clouds and aerosols affect our climate, was launched yesterday evening from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Celebrating three years of partnership with the Jon Egging Trust
RAL Space has been awarded “Corporate Team of the Year” and attended a student graduation ceremony in recognition of our public engagement work with the Jon Egging Trust.
Lift off for UK’s National Satellite Test Facility
The UK’s first “one-stop shop” for large satellite testing has officially opened its doors and is set to welcome its first customers.
RAL Space receives share of £9m funding for climate monitoring instruments
RAL Space is leading 4 out of 12 Earth observation projects receiving funding as part of a package funded by the UK Space Agency.
RAL Space career opportunities
Harwell Open Day 2024
On 29 June 2024, Harwell Campus and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory will welcome visitors to explore behind the scenes, and to see first-hand where some of the world’s most pioneering research takes place.
RAL Space-led mission concept shortlisted to be ESA’s next Earth Explorer
An Earth observation mission concept led by RAL Space is one of four ideas shortlisted to become the 12th in the European Space Agency’s pioneering family of ‘Earth Explorer’ missions.
Early Space Careers Conference 2024
Designed for early career people by early career people, this conference aims to bring together the early career community from across the UK space sector.
Heritage ERS-2 satellite returns to Earth
After almost 30 years in orbit and a 16-year working life, the influential European Remote Sensing 2 satellite (ERS-2) has completed atmospheric re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.
MicroCarb leaves RAL Space ready for launch
After spending just over a year at RAL Space, MicroCarb has been delivered from Oxfordshire to Toulouse, where it will stay before being shipped for launch.
PITMS returns to Earth after eventful mission
The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) has returned to Earth after an eventful ten days in space, burning up on re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.
Head of Space Physics scoops prestigious Royal Astronomical Society award
RAL Space's Head of Space Physics, Professor Ian McCrea, has been recognised with a prestigious Service Award by the Royal Astronomical Society for his “invaluable service to the UK and international space weather research community."
RAL Space part of historic lunar exploration milestone
In a significant step forward in lunar exploration, an instrument designed to observe the Moon’s atmosphere (exosphere) was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 8th January 2024, as part of Peregrine Mission One.
ESA's photosynthesis-detecting spacecraft to be tested at the National Satellite Test Facility
FLEX, the European Space Agency's (ESA) next-generation satellite for detecting the faint fluorescent glow given off by plants, is to be tested at STFC RAL Space's new National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Oxfordshire.
Read our 2023 Highlights Report
Published on 7 December at the 19th Appleton Space Conference, the 2023 RAL Space Highlights Report celebrates our teams and their achievements over the last year.
Girlguiding and Scout badge: STEM Careers Challenge
Complete a variety of hands-on STEM activities to learn about jobs and earn a new badge.
19th Appleton Space Conference
This major space conference on Thursday 7th December 2023 celebrates the latest advancements in space science, Earth observation and technology development.
SPEQTRE
Space Photon Entanglement Quantum Technology Readiness Experiment
Ultra-secure quantum communication from space: exciting milestones underway for SPEQTRE
The SPEQTRE CubeSat passed an exciting milestone recently as it embarked on its first tests in our facilities. This small but mighty mission will aim to demonstrate unique and incredibly secure quantum communication from space.
Exoplanet mission Ariel passes review milestone
Ariel, the European Space Agency's (ESA) next-generation mission to observe the chemical make-up of distant extrasolar planets, has passed a major milestone after successfully completing its Payload Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
Professor David Newbold Appointed as STFC Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies
Experimental particle physicist Professor David Newbold has commenced work as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Director, National Laboratories Science and Technologies.
About us TEST
As the UK’s national space laboratory, we partner with our community to make the world a better place by advancing knowledge and the use of space and the environment to the benefit of all
Enhancing Radio Astronomy at the Sardinia Radio Telescope
A team at RAL Space has developed and successfully installed a powerful new tool to observe distant galaxies and enhance space weather forecasting.
Final receivers for MetOp-SG delivered
RAL Space has delivered the last of 20 millimetre wave receivers developed for the Microwave Sounder and Microwave Imager instruments on board the MetOp-Second Generation satellites.
Early Careers
UKRI SWIMMR-1 launches in boost to UK space weather forecasting capabilities
The UKRI SWIMMR-1 radiation monitor has successfully launched from California, boosting the UK’s space weather capabilities.
National Satellite Test Facility to welcome Airbus as first customer
The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF), the UK's new £116m centre for testing large, next-generation satellites, will soon welcome Airbus Defence and Space UK as its first customer.
Exploiting quantum physics in the search for elusive cosmic phenomena
Our Quantum Sensors group are part of a new consortium, the Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network (AION), established to search for dark matter and mid-frequency gravitational waves. Anna Marchant and Mark Bason from the team tell us more!
Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy that makes up most of the Universe
By Dr Chris Pearson, Head of Astronomy Group at RAL Space, and Dr Dave Clements, Reader in Astrophysics at Imperial College London
Interview with Dr Sarah Beardsley
The UK space sector is booming in 2023. Dr Sarah Beardsley, who was appointed to the role of director at RAL Space last summer after 22 years with the organisation, is particularly enthusiastic about what’s to come this year.
Fourth instrument in climate monitoring series leaves RAL Space
The fourth Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR-D) has left RAL Space and is on its way to be installed onto the Sentinel-3D satellite.
Scientists find first evidence that black holes are the source of dark energy
Observations of supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies point to a likely source of dark energy – the ‘missing’ 70% of the Universe.
40 years on: The Infrared Astronomical Telescope
Launched in January 1983 – 40 years ago this month – the Infrared Astronomical Telescope (IRAS) was the first space telescope to study the sky in infrared light.
Milky Way mapping team scoops 2023 Berkeley Prize
The team behind Gaia, the largest and most precise three-dimensional map of our galaxy, has received the 2023 Lancelot M. Berkeley − New York Community Trust Prize for Meritorious Work in Astronomy.
RAL Space achieves UK's only ECSS-Q-ST-20-07C certification
RAL Space has been awarded the quality and safety assurance certification for space test centres from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Matt Oxborrow
Test engineer in the Environmental Test Division
UK space sector mission to Global Space and Technology Convention 2024
The Global Space and Technology Convention 2024 runs from February 15-16th.
Start Me Up! – First satellites to be launched from UK soil
2023 is already off to an exciting start, with the first orbital satellite launch from UK soil set to take place this evening.
RAL Space - A Physics Adventure!
Test your GCSE Physics knowledge in an online escape room.
UK-led robotic sky scanner reveals its first galactic fingerprint
A major telescope upgrade has peered through to the distant Universe to reveal the spectra of a pair of galaxies 280 million light years away from Earth.
Microcarb arrives in UK ahead of 2024 mission
Microcarb, a joint British and French satellite dedicated to monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide, has arrived at STFC RAL Space where its building and testing will be completed.
Early-stage studies into new flagship earth observation mission funded by new £15m government investment
STFC RAL Space will receive almost £15m as part of a new government package supporting Earth observation (EO) science.
My summer placement at RAL Space: Ben Keeble, project manager
In this blog post, Ben Keeble describes his experience on a summer placement with RAL Space’s Radiometry Group.
Final flight model for PUNCH has shipped
RAL Space has shipped the remaining two of five CCD Camera Electronics systems for NASA’s Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission.
220,000 tonnes of methane likely released from Nord Stream gas leak
220,000 tonnes of methane are likely to have been released from the ruptures in the Nord Stream gas pipelines, new satellite data has revealed.
Tonga volcano had highest plume ever recorded
The devastating Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption in January 2022 created the tallest volcanic plume ever recorded, new research from STFC's RAL Space has shown.
Early Careers Conference 2022: Space skills
The second RAL Space Early Careers Conference took place on Wednesday 30th November, highlighting a range of pathways into, and careers within, the space sector.
IOP Award Winner: Mark Anderson
We speak to senior technician Mark Anderson, who has earned a prestigious Technical Skills Award from the Institute of Physics (IOP). These awards recognise the significant contributions that technicians make to their industries.
18th Appleton Space Conference
This major space conference on Thursday 1st December 2022 celebrates the latest advancements in space science, Earth observation and technology development.
Next generation gravity measuring device gets a boost
A new collaboration to demonstrate the use of additive manufacturing for a RAL Space-developed quantum gravimeter has been awarded funding from the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Artemis I: The latest lunar landmark!
Excitement is brewing among the global space community, as the first mission in NASA’s ambitious Artemis programme is set to launch in just a few days’ time.
Monster star had never-before-seen titanic eruption
Astronomers using Hubble and other telescopes have found that supergiant star Betelgeuse blew off a huge piece of its visible surface in 2019. This has never before been seen on a star.
UK National Earth Observation Conference 2022
We will be exhibiting at the UK National Earth Observation Conference, 6th – 8th September 2022 at the National Space Centre, Leicester.
Eimear Gallagher
Graduate Millimeter Wave Engineer in the Millimeter Wave Technology group
Noor Alhasani
Radar Instrument Scientist and Placement Student at Chilbolton Observatory
Professor Chris Mutlow: a career with RAL Space
After 36 years supporting ambitious projects and inspiring science at RAL Space, including 7 years leading the team as Director, Professor Chris Mutlow will be retiring later this month.
MWS Proto Flight Model installed on MetOp-SG satellite after successful calibration at RAL Space
The Microwave Sounder Proto Flight Model for the European Space Agency’s MetOp Second Generation weather satellites has been mounted to MetOp-SG Satellite A.
Innovative satellite technology set to improve weather forecasting
Cutting-edge technology offering more frequent and higher-resolution atmospheric monitoring will soon provide improved weather forecasts, available to global markets for use in resilience planning, flood warning and by the shipping industry.
MicroCarb
MicroCarb will map the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide on Earth’s surface.
RAL Space spin-out company Mirico accelerates climate change monitoring
RAL Space spin-out company Mirico announced today that it had raised £2 million to accelerate roll out of its greenhouse gas emission monitoring solutions.
First spectacular images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope released
The first full colour images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope have been released by NASA.
Contributing to net zero ambitions
RAL Space is involved with a range of UK and international projects contributing to net zero ambitions. We take a look at some of them in this blog post.
Quantum encryption spacecraft closer to launch
Speqtre, an innovative secure communications cubesat, has passed a major milestone in its journey to space.
Richard Reeves
Senior Radio Frequency Engineer at Chilbolton Observatory
Darcy Ladd
Station Manager at Chilbolton Observatory
Chris Pearson
Astronomy Group Leader
Calling AI experts! Join the hunt for exoplanets
Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts have been challenged to help a new space mission to investigate Earth’s place in the universe.
Dr Sarah Beardsley appointed as RAL Space Director
The UK’s leading space laboratory, RAL Space, has appointed a new director to advance it’s ambitious programme of space science and technology development.
Professor Ian McCrea - Resilient Society Theme Lead
Ian brings together brings together expertise and ideas so that hazards from space weather and space debris can be understood and mitigated.
Sean Stewart - Acting Head of Environmental Test
In July 2024 Sean took over the position of Head of Environmental Test in RAL Space.
Paul Eccleston - Space Science and Exploration Theme Lead
Paul is Space Science and Exploration Theme Lead at RAL Space. He is also the manager for the Ariel Mission Consortium, a group of more than 60 institutes across 19 countries in Europe and North America.
Dr Jane Hurley - Head of Researchers
Jane leads the team of world-renowned researchers at the UK’s national space laboratory, taking up this role in 2024.
Philip Kershaw - Head of the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis
Philip leads the Centre of Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA), a division of data scientists and software developers providing data and information services for the environmental sciences community on behalf of NERC.
Dr Sarah Beardsley - Director RAL Space
Sarah became Director of RAL Space in 2022 and leads around 350 expert staff to deliver science and technology programmes for the UK space sector.
Nigel Morris - Head of Engineering and Production
Nigel is responsible for Engineering and Production, an expert team of engineers, technicians and project managers which support a wide range of hardware projects in RAL Space.
Richard Stamper - Head of Assurance
Richard has responsibility for product, quality, safety and project assurance activities across the department.
Dr Nick Waltham FREng - Research and Innovation Theme Lead
As Head of Imaging Systems, Nick leads a team specialising in the system design, research and development, engineering, manufacture and test of bespoke electro-optics instrumentation.
Small-scale test facilities
RAL Space operate a range of test facilities and clean room space for the development, assembly and testing of space bound hardware, from components to spacecraft and payloads..
Ed Polehampton
Instrument Calibration Scientist in the Earth Observation and Atmospheric Science Division
Thermal vacuum testing
From telecommunication satellites to components, our vacuum test chambers can replicate a variety of space environments to meet your test requirements.
Clean room facilities
RAL Space manage and maintain a number of small clean rooms which are available for hire by space sector organisations.
Dynamics and vibration testing
RAL Space offer dynamics testing for satellites and space components within both the National Satellite Test Facility and a second vibration suite for testing smaller payloads
Large-scale test facilities
The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) is a world class set of co-located facilities for environmental testing of space payloads and satellites up to 7000 kg.
EMC and antenna measurement testing
The Electromagnetics Suite in the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) will carry out electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing and antenna measurements of satellites.
The Space Pi Project
Third-year Aerospace Engineering students Holly, Abu, and Alex from the University of Birmingham tell us about their visit to RAL Space to test their Raspberry Pi model space payloads.
RAL Space webinar: The National Satellite Test Facility – Accessing the right size facility for your project
The third in our series of webinars for space sector organisations to take a look at the environmental test capabilities of RAL Space, from small to large scale testing.
Webb’s coolest instrument captures first star
The UK’s main contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope, the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), has now opened its eye to the sky.
Celebrating 60 years of work in space research
60 years ago the UK became the world’s third space faring nation and, with the launch of Ariel 1 on the 26th April 1962, crossed the final frontier for the very first time.
Case study: Monitoring carbon capture and storage process at Hellisheiði, Iceland
The Spectroscopy Group at RAL Space has developed and successfully deployed a laser isotope ratio analyser (LIRA) for measuring the concentration of sulphur isotopes in hydrogen sulphide.
Chilbolton Observatory celebrates 55 years!
Webb’s coldest instrument reaches operating temperature
The UK’s main contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope, the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), has been carefully cooled down to its operational temperature.
Solar Orbiter begins its science mission phase
Dr Andrzej Fludra and Dr Alessandra Giunta are part of the team behind Solar Orbitar's Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) instrument. In this article, they explain the importance of the recent close-up images of the Sun captured by SPICE.
UK to build brain of SKAO telescopes
More than £15 million has been awarded to UK institutions which are delivering the crucial software ‘brain’ of the world’s largest radio telescope.
Case study: RAL Space are part of the network to monitor climate change
A global network of monitoring stations are providing accurate measurements of green house gases in the atmosphere, helping to ensure international agreements on emissions targets can be met.
RAL Space insulation protecting the mission monitoring the Earth
RAL Space has designed and supplied around 100 thermal blankets to be wrapped around the German space agency’s (DLR) Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme (EnMAP) satellite which will launch from the Kennedy Space Centre, USA in April.
RAL Space at events
Alex Davidson
Product Assurance Group Leader
Gabriella Hodosán
Software Developer in the Space Physics and Operations Division
Simon Rea
Systems Engineer
Rhys Evans
Software Engineer at the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA)
James Dalton
STFC Apprentice in the Precision Development Facility (PDF)
RAL Space partners with the Jon Egging Trust
RAL Space delivered the pilot workshops as part of a new long-term partnership with the Jon Egging Trust. These workshops presented an opportunity to trial our first on-site events for school students in two years.
Funding to develop the concept design for Europe’s first facility for extra-terrestrial samples
There are at least eight missions planning to return samples from asteroids and Mars over the coming decade.
National Satellite Test Facility: frequently asked questions
RAL Space Director, Professor Chris Mutlow announces retirement
After 36 years championing the missions, projects and ambitions of RAL Space and 7 years at the helm as Director, Professor Chris Mutlow will retire later this year.
RAL Space webinar: The National Satellite Test Facility - Infrastructure
The second in a series of webinars for the user community to take a look behind the scenes at the infrastructure of the world class facility, the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF).
National Apprenticeship Week 2022: Opportunities at RAL Space
The STFC Apprenticeship scheme allows apprentices to take up placements in several STFC departments, including RAL Space. In this post, we highlight some of the experiences our staff have had on their apprenticeships.
Astronomy beyond Webb – the next generation of telescopes
As the successor to Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope will be hugely important but there are a host of space and ground-based telescopes lined up to help us observe the universe in new and exciting ways.
From the archive: Testing the Mid Infra-Red Instrument for the Webb Telescope
To help illustrate the part that STFC staff have played in the Webb Telescope, we are highlighting an article from our archive describing the start of the testing MIRI underwent at RAL Space.
My graduate placement at RAL Space: Sofia Fuster Almenar, Space Systems Engineer
Since 2002, STFC’s graduate scheme has recruited over 450 graduates, many of which have remained employed at STFC. In this blog post, Sofia Fuster Almenar from STFC’s Technology Department discusses her experience on her graduate placement at RAL Space.
Speqtre
A collaboration between researchers in the UK and Singapore to build and fly a satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) test bed.
How to measure greenhouse gases with a satellite
Physics (KS3 - KS4, National 4 - Higher), Geography (KS3+), Biology (KS3+)
Stargazing 2022
Join us online for our annual Stargazing event on Friday 4th February 2022, 17:30 - 19:45.
James Webb Space Telescope launch celebrated by UK
The once-in-a-generation spacecraft, the James Webb Space Telescope, has been launched today with scientists and engineers across the UK playing a vital role in realising the mission.
Webb Telescope: Worth the wait!
Astronomers, scientists, and engineers around the world are eagerly awaiting a new outlook on our universe as the launch of the world's largest space telescope draws closer.
RAL Space webinar: Introduction to the National Satellite Test Facility
The first of a set of webinars for the user community to take a look behind the scenes at the world class facility, the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF).
RAL Space leading UKRI net zero computing goals
RAL Space staff within the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) are leading efforts in the research and innovation sector to reach net zero by 2040.
STFC spin-out company gets funding to improve satellite broadband
A Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) spin-out company, Atheras Analytics, has secured funding to enhance its software which optimises the performance of satellites for telecommunications companies.
Understanding the impact of aviation on global warming
Major new study reveals that aviation could consume up to one-sixth of the remaining temperature budget to limit warming to 1.5 ˚C.
Sharing expertise to make environmental science data more widely accessible
UK and France reach new agreement on climate change mission
The UK Space Agency has provided new funding for a joint British and French mission called MicroCarb, dedicated to monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide - the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.
Case study: Satellite data show methane increase at all latitudes
Atmospheric methane dataset reveals that concentrations in have been increasing since 2007 at all latitudes, including the Arctic.
Case study: Observing biomass burning in Indonesia to improve air quality monitoring
Ground-based measurements of aerosols from the 2019 peat fires in Indonesia will combine with satellite data to improve air quality monitoring.
Case study: Near real-time satellite data could help alleviate the air pollution impact from wildfires
Climate change is making wildfires more prevalent, and near real-time satellite data monitoring shows these are having a knock on effect on air quality around the world.
Space weather experts convene for landmark conference
The world’s leading space weather scientists are joining together for a landmark conference on the future of space weather forecasting and technology as part of European Space Weather Week.
17th Appleton Space Conference
This major space conference on Thursday 2nd December celebrates the latest advancements in space science, Earth observation and technology development.
Early Careers Conference 2021: Environments
The first virtual RAL Space Early Careers Conference took place on Wednesday 1st December 13:00 - 18:00, featuring inspiring speakers and highlighting early careers opportunities in the space sector.
The Science and Engineering Careers Challenge has been extended
The popular project to engage Girlguiding and Scout groups in STEM activities has received additional funding to continue awarding badges to young people who complete the challenge.
World Space Week Schools Webinar: How to tackle climate change from space
5th October 2021, 10:30 – 11:30. Join us to hear careers talks from a scientist and an engineer who work on projects to help study the Earth’s climate from space.
Ian Horsfall
Dynamics Group Leader, Environmental Test Division
New technology for space weather monitoring from the ground
A new generation of radiation detectors are being employed to help protect safety critical systems and national infrastructure against the effects of severe space weather.
Contact RAL Space
Please email ralspaceenquiries@stfc.ac.uk for more details about our capabilities.
Brian Moyna – Head of Operations
Brian was appointed to the role of Head of RAL Space Operations in 2019, with a focus on resource planning, estates management, delivery and stakeholder engagement.
John Gallagher
Senior Systems Engineer in the Space Engineering and Technology Division
UK-led robotic sky-scanner takes its place on telescope
A major telescope upgrade, which will allow a comprehensive census of the Universe to answer fundamental astrophysical questions, is now close to completion.
UK scientists join NASA’s first steps back to the Moon
A team of UK scientists are helping to investigate the occurrence and behaviour of water on the Moon.
Peregrine-1
The Peregrine Lunar Lander is part of NASA’s Artemis programme which aims to develop the first long-term presence on the Moon.
Elle Smith
Software Engineer at the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA)
Kimberley Lim
Systems Engineer in the Space Engineering and Technology Division
The big data revolution supporting breakthroughs in El Niño research
The effects of El Niño have been recorded for centuries, but new technologies over the last few decades have accelerated our ability to model and understand the processes involved
Imaging systems packing a PUNCH
The first engineering model of the CCD camera electronics for NASA’s Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) satellites has been completed by RAL Space.
From summer internships to graduate programme: Callum McDonnell, Mechanical Engineer
I’ve had the amazing opportunity to intern with STFC twice; first in 2018 as a Mechanical Design Engineer at ISIS, and then in summer 2020 as a Satellite Systems Engineer at RAL Space.
Being prepared – UK scientists are helping Government plan for the effects of solar storms on Earth
Pandemics are just one of just a number of natural hazards that could threaten the UK. Space weather is another. It may seem like the stuff of science fiction but it is a very real phenomena which the UK added to the national risk register in 2011.
Environmental Test Facilities Enquiry Form
Space waste finds a new lease of life
Offcuts from space blankets are being turned into tiny insulating jackets to help a small UK company keep their cryocoolers cool.
RAL Space Instagram
Discover the stories behind our most recent Instagram posts
Bigger is always better… when we’re talking about telescopes
Chris Pearson is Astronomy Group Leader at RAL Space and part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) science data processor team. Following the inaugural meeting of the SKA Observatory Council, Chris shared his excitement about working on the SKA project.
British Science Week Schools Webinar: How to get a job in the space industry
9th March 2021, 10:30 - 11:30. Join us to hear careers talks from a scientist, an engineer and a technician who work on innovative projects at RAL Space.
RAL Space achieves EN 9100 certification
RAL Space has been awarded the aerospace industry quality certification EN 9100: 2018, recognising the high standard of the space test and clean room provision.
Resources
Educational science and space resources.
Novel calibration system delivered for Meteosat Third Generation
RAL Space has delivered the optical ground support equipment for the Meteosat Third Generation Imager (MTG-I) satellite to TAS France.
Missions to monitor climate change get new technology delivery
The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space is taking on the challenge of monitoring climate change by delivering two key contributions to Earth observation missions.
Stargazing with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory 2021
Join us on Friday 22nd January 2021, 17:30 - 20:30, for a virtual stargazing event with hands-on activities, talks and virtual tours of the stars.
Space talks
Family make-along activities
Virtual planetarium shows and ask-an-astronomer
Introductions to our space research
The four winners of the Space Weather Competition have been announced
Four winners have been selected from a diverse set of brilliant entries for the 2020 Space Weather Competition.
UK Government funds the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder, a new sensor for tracking extreme weather
A new kind of climate monitoring instrument from RAL Space is one of 21 highly innovative new projects funded by the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP).
Smaller, faster, cheaper – ESP-MACCS chosen as ESA’s first Earth observation Scout mission
A new mission to study how climate change affects the processes in the Earth’s atmosphere has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA).
First pyroshock tests completed at RAL Space
A satellite’s journey into space is a violent affair. Not only does the delicate instrumentation inside need to withstand the extreme vibrations of launch, they also go through a series of short, sharp shocks as the spacecraft separates from the rocket.
ESA formally adopts Ariel, the exoplanet explorer
The European Space Agency (ESA) have formally adopted Ariel, the first mission dedicated to study the nature, formation and evolution of exoplanets.
Kaylee Stick
Software Engineer in the Software Group of the Imaging Systems Division
LGBTQ+ Network Meetings at RAL Space
The LGBTQ+ Network meets at RAL Space and is part of an STFC wide group that is also open to staff from across Harwell Campus, Culham Science Centre and the whole of UKRI. Group members can attend in person or join via Zoom.
David Cuadrado-Calle
Millimetre Wave Engineer, Millimetre Wave Technology Group
The National Satellite Test Facility takes shape
More than 900 tonnes of steel framework has been installed and 3000mᶟ of concrete poured to complete the main structure of the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF).
Not sure when to hold your summer barbeque? A new weather instrument may hold the key.
Tom Lacey, Business Development Manager for Space Exploration, Remote Sensing Instrumentation and Data Curation shares how new technology currently being developed at RAL Space promises to add valuable data to weather forecasting.
16th Appleton Space Conference
This major space conference celebrates the latest advancements in space science, Earth observation and technology development.
Space Weather Competition 2020
Take part in an art and writing competition and explore space weather. If you're aged 7 to 15 you could win a behind-the-scenes tour of one of only three space weather forecasting facilities in the world!
STFC helps scientists find hints of life on Venus
An international team of astronomers, led by the UK, has today announced the discovery of a rare molecule in the clouds of Venus that hints at the presence of microbial life.
UK led instrument on STEREO spacecraft keeps a watch on Betelgeuse
A UK led instrument aboard NASA’s Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), came to the aid of scientists studying a star further afield in the summer of 2020.
Award winning paper highlights new technological capabilities in weather forecasting
David Cuadrado-Calle is a Radio Frequency Engineer in RAL Space’s Millimetre Wave Technology Group working on the MetOp Second Generation satellite series. David was recently recognised with a U.R.S.I. 2020 Young Scientist Award.
17th European Space Weather Week and the new European Space Weather Symposium 2020
17th European Space Weather Week: 25th – 29th October 2021, Glasgow | European Space Weather Symposium: 2nd – 6th November 2020, online
Welcome Small Sat 2020 Delegates!
The UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space and UK Astronomy and Technology Centre are exhibiting at the 2020 Small Sat Conference being held virtually 01 - 06 August 2020.
Celine Elledge
Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) Technician
Reuben Chesterman
Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) Technician
Cluster - one of the hardest working space missions you’ve never heard of turns 20
On 4th June 1996, four satellites launched from Kourou in French Guiana. 37 seconds in to its flight, the Cluster mission was lost.
First images from Solar Orbiter’s SPICE instrument revealed
ESA’s historic Solar Orbiter mission has released its first and closest ever images of the Sun from a distance of just over 77 million kilometres.
STFC team helps national consortium deliver 13,437 ventilators
Latest satellite data show full Moon may not be protected by Earth’s magnetic field after all
A new study involving RAL Space scientists has found that the Moon is exposed to potentially damaging charged particles at times it was previously thought to be protected.
The Mammoth has Arrived!
Dr Sarah Nash is the Business Development Manager for the National Satellite Test Facility. She explains how it felt to be waiting at home to hear that the newest addition to the facility, an enormous space test chamber, had been safely installed.
UK space sector gets a boost with the installation of a giant new satellite test chamber
The UK’s space industry has received a major piece of new equipment to help get larger, more complex satellites ready for launch. A 16m long space test chamber, amongst the giants of Europe, has been installed in the UK’s National Satellite Test Facility.
Online Schools Workshop: Thermal Engineering
16th & 30th June 2020 at 14:00. Join these online workshops with RAL Space to learn how spacecraft survive the challenging environment and extreme temperatures in space.
COVID-19: Current Impact on RAL Space Operations
Melissa Lee
Senior Project Manager in the Space Engineering and Technology Division
KMOS – at the Very Large Telescope
KMOS is an infrared spectrometer mounted on the 8m UT1 telescope at the Very Large Telescope (VLT).
Become a CloudCatcher: Climate science needs your family’s help!
CloudCatcher is a new project harnessing the power of citizen science to help climate change research. Scientists at RAL Space, need your help to check their cloud identification tools.
CloudCatcher is a beautiful new citizen science project on the Zooniverse app: here’s why you should take part
Caroline Cox is a Research Scientist in the Earth Observation and Atmospheric Science Division at RAL Space.
FMOS - at the Subaru telescope
FMOS was a collaboration between the Japanese National Astronomical Observatory (NAOJ), the Anglo Australian Observatory (AAO), and a consortium of UK groups.
CloudCatcher Questionnaire
WEAVE - at the William Herschel Telescope
The WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE) is a facility upgrade for the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos on the Island of La Palma.
DIY astrophotography: how I observe the universe from my back garden
Ben is an Electronics Engineer in the Imaging Systems Division at RAL Space. His interest in astrophotography has led him to contribute to international collaborative projects in the space industry.
CloudCatcher
Find out how you can help us spot clouds in satellite images and take part in our online citizen science project. Everyone in the family can become a CloudCatcher!
This is why gender diversity matters in the space sector - according to our Head of Space Engineering and Technology
Dr Sarah Beardsley is the Head of the Space Engineering and Technology Division at RAL Space and a champion for diversity in the space industry. Sarah reflects on our efforts to improve gender diversity and why valuing everyone matters.
Ceyda Tunarli
Project Manager in the Space Engineering and Technology Division
Happy 30th Birthday Hubble!
Hubble is turning 30. But what does the next generation of space telescopes have to offer?
SKA and the problem of processing all that data
Chris Pearson is Astronomy Group Leader at RAL Space and part of the SKA Science Data Processor Team. He talks about how his team are trying to solve the problem of big data from the new generation of ground based telescopes.
SPICE receives “First Light”
The SPICE instrument on board ESA’s Solar Orbiter has now successfully taken its first measurements of the Sun.
Professor Sir John Houghton, CBE FRS FLSW
30 December 1931 – 15 April 2020
Scouts and Girl Guides reach for the stars with a new Science and Engineering Careers Challenge
A group of graduates working in the space sector have created a new, free challenge for Girlguiding and Scout groups that is designed to introduce different science and engineering careers to young people, through hands-on activities.
Creating a new Girlguiding and Scout Challenge
Kate is an Environmental Data Scientist in the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA), which is based within RAL Space, and led a team of graduates to create the new challenge.
Weather forecasters turn to Welsh radar to ease unexpected coronavirus impact
A radar in Wales is helping weather forecasters deal with an unexpected impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Looking after Sentinel-3 for climate and weather monitoring
Caroline Cox is a Research Scientist in the Earth Observation and Atmospheric Science Division at RAL Space.
New facility for atmospheric measurements launches
A new research facility will offer scientists access to mobile instrumentation, laboratories and observatories across the world.
Public Engagement
Educational Resources
Free STFC resources for you to download, links to websites with resources and ideas for space and STEM related learning.
Get Involved
The public and schools can get involved in outreach and engagement activities based around our world-class science and research. View our upcoming events and ongoing activities.
Technicians rise to the VentilatorChallengeUK
STFC staff are forming part of a national collaboration that’s producing ventilators for the NHS; developing and delivering the training needed for others (including more STFC members) to carry out the necessary testing and calibration.
Earn a Girlguiding and Scout badge: the Science and Engineering Careers Challenge
Take part in hands-on activities and learn about a variety of STEM jobs and skills.
Professor Richard Harrison reflects on solar science
Through an active programme of mission conception, acquisition, development and operation, RAL Space has been at the forefront of studies of the Sun for decades.
We have telemetry – SPICE successfully switched on
Two weeks after launch, the SPICE instrument on board ESA’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft was turned on for the first time on Monday 24th February. The first signals from the instrument have been received which indicate that it is in good health.
Using space engineering to reduce food waste in India
TRANSSITioN is a multi-disciplinary project to investigate food waste in the vegetable supply chain in India. Currently about 40% fresh fruit and vegetables in India are wasted, in part due to the challenges in transporting them in such a hot environment.
LOFAR pioneers new way to study exoplanet environments
Astronomers using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope have discovered unusual radio waves coming from the nearby red dwarf star GJ1151.
Caroline Cox
Research Scientist
Oyuki Chang
Space Weather Rutherford Fellow
Ellis Elliott
Senior Project Manager in the Imaging Systems Division
UK-built spacecraft to observe the Sun successfully launches
The UK-built Solar Orbiter spacecraft has now begun its nearly two year journey towards the Sun to observe the Sun close-up and study its polar regions for the first time.
“Cobra” – space weather becomes a political issue
Professor Mike Hapgood is a space weather scientist at RAL Space.
STEREO Heliospheric Imager team win RAS geophysics award
The Royal Astronomical Society has announced that the RAL Space group responsible for the Heliospheric Imagers (HI) on board NASA’s STEREO mission are to be awarded the 2020 Group Achievement Award.
Groundworks on the National Satellite Test Facility nearing completion.
Progress is being made in the delivery of the National Satellite Test Facility with final groundworks taking place and first equipment delivered.
15th Appleton Space Conference
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, 5th December 2019
Mission to Singapore 2020
Would you like to highlight your capabilities to Asian collaborators in Singapore?
Camera electronics on route to Russia for the World Space Observatory
UK electronics are once again at the heart of an international space mission to study the evolution of the universe.
SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk)
Sun explorer spacecraft leaves for launch site
The UK-built Solar Orbiter spacecraft, which will investigate the workings of our Sun, is preparing to leave the test facility in Germany to head for its launch site in the USA.
Professor Brian Ellison is elected as Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Professor Brian Ellison, Head of the Millimetre-Wave Technology and Chilbolton Radio Group at STFC RAL Space, is amongst 54 engineers from the UK and around the world to have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2019.
QKD Project – Industry Engagement Day
£20 million project to tackle space weather
£20million of funding to upgrade the UK’s resilience to space weather events has been announced today by the Prime Minister at the UN General Assembly.
Monitoring the methane cycle – testing new instruments in Finnish wetlands
Methane gas has far greater warming properties than carbon dioxide and though shorter lived in the atmosphere, is a major contributor to global warming.
14th UK China Space Conference
Bringing together space experts from academia and industry, the UK China Space Conference is the premier event for promoting capabilities, skills and technology partnerships in the UK and Chinese space sectors.
Collaborating with CHARM – a new UK astronomy instrument is set for Mexico
A new instrument to help astronomers understand how stars are born is bound for the Large Millimetre Telescope (LMT) in Mexico.
Olympus Rover Competition 2019
Students from across the UK competed in the third UKSEDS Olympus Rover Competition at STFC’s RAL Space in Harwell on Sunday 28th July.
Exhibitions and Events
In 2019 RAL Space will be exhibiting at space exhibitions and events around the world.
RAL Space at Small Satellite Conference 2019
03-08 August 2019, Logan, Utah, USA
My placement year at RAL Space: Manni Gill, Communications Assistant
Hi I’m Manni and I study Biochemistry at the University of Manchester. For the past 12 months I’ve been working in the Communications and Outreach department of RAL Space as a Communications Assistant.
My placement year at RAL Space: Tommy Godfrey, Software Engineer
I am a Computer Science student at Nottingham Trent University and have been a placement student this year at RAL Space. I work at The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) as a Software Engineer.
RAL Space Industry Day
10:00 - 14.30 Wednesday 10th July 2019, RAL Space, Harwell
UK set to host the European Space Weather Week 2020
The city of Glasgow is used to all kinds of weather in a day. In 2020 Glasgow will be hosting scientists and engineers from around the world to talk about space weather, the effect of solar storms on the space surrounding the Earth.
My placement year at RAL Space: Jai Chandak, Electronic Engineer
My name is Jai and I’m studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Bath. I am a 2018/19 placement year student at RAL Space where I worked as an Electronic Engineer in the Imaging Systems Division.
UK scientists set to work with NASA on a new mission to study the Sun
UK space scientists are working alongside NASA to build a four-spacecraft mission aimed at revolutionising our understanding of the Sun’s atmosphere and how it affects the rest of our solar system.
How to name a telescopic instrument: from SHIRM to CHARM
The Astronomical Systems, Technology and Engineering Collaboration (ASTEC) Project has been running for just over a year now and I have been working on the instrument for the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) for nearly ten months.
Supporting scientists to study our complex planet
RAL Space’s Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) is using data science expertise to support a major project that will warn us of changes in the Earth’s ecosystem.
From Mars to medical care: the applications of laser spectroscopy
Damien Weidmann is Head of the RAL Space Laser Spectroscopy Group, who specialise in developing unique spectroscopic techniques. He discusses his role in being part of these innovative technologies and the versatility of space research.
Detecting disease using technology designed for Mars
A technology developed to measure gases on Mars is part of a pilot clinical study testing its effectiveness as a medical diagnostic tool for sepsis.
RAL Space at the ESA Living Planet Symposium 2019
13-17 May 2019, Milan, Italy
A space journey at the Cornerstone Arts Centre
On 18 April 2019, RAL Space teamed up with colleagues across the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot to host a free family science day that explored our Earth, Moon and Sun.
STFC team enables astronomers to produce the first ever image of a black hole
This breakthrough in astronomy reveals an image of a black hole 55 million light years from Earth and which has a mass 6.5 billion times that of our Sun.
Earth Moon and Sun Family Science Day
Join RAL Space and colleagues from the Science and Technology Facilities Council on a space journey to explore our Earth, Moon and Sun.
UK Pavilion at the 35th Space Symposium
08-11 April, Colorado Springs, USA
Astronomers detect hundreds of thousands of previously unknown galaxies
A major new radio sky survey has revealed hundreds of thousands of previously undetected galaxies, shedding new light on many research areas including the physics of black holes and how clusters of galaxies evolve.
About RAL Space
RAL Space carry out world-class science research and technology development with significant involvement in more than 210 instruments on missions to date.
Coraline Dalibot
Senior Thermal Engineer in the Space Engineering and Technology Division
Luke Bushnell
Computer Numerical Control Manufacturing Facility Manager
Blogs
Find out about the amazing science and technology development we do, straight from the people who are doing it.
Vacancies
NSTF Art Competition Finalists
After an overwhelming response to our art competition, our judges have chosen the winners from these finalists.
National Satellite Test Facility Art Competition
Call for CEDA Impact Stories: why this is essential and how you can help
The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) is collecting impact stories from JASMIN users to help showcase their work and the vital role our services play to help environmental research happen.
Career Profiles
Careers
UK scientists and engineers working to reduce food waste in developing countries
Scientists and engineers in the UK are working to use ideas from advanced space technology to improve the lives of farmers and reduce food waste in developing countries.
Award for the team behind the multi spacecraft mission, Cluster
Cluster, the world’s leading multi-spacecraft mission to study the structure and dynamics of Earth’s magnetic and plasma environments has been recognised by a major award.
Using space technology to tackle air pollution caused by farming
A team of UK scientists are applying technology developed for space research to help tackle the amount of ammonia that the farming industry releases into the atmosphere and try to make farming more efficient.
Astronomy, agri-rovers and education in the UK and China: Collaborations in two of the world’s most exciting space economies
Leading figures from UK and Chinese space research and industry are coming together to strengthen their growing relationship.
Put your skills to the test and get a job in the space industry
Looking to launch your career into orbit in the New Year? A UK space organisation is now hiring staff for its brand new satellite test facility.
RAL Space Director Chris Mutlow appointed Honorary Professor by the University of Leicester
STFC RAL Space Director, Dr Chris Mutlow, has been appointed as an Honorary Professor by the Department of Physics & Astronomy and the Leicester Institute of Space & Earth Observation.
UK celebrates the successful landing of Mars InSight
A new mission to Mars, containing an on-board instrument developed and built by an interdisciplinary UK team that included STFC RAL Space, has successfully landed and will soon begin the first study of the planet’s internal activity.
Most detailed picture yet of UK's future climate
The UK’s most comprehensive picture yet of how the climate could change over the next century has been launched.
Working for RAL Space: 4600 metres above sea level, 8000 kilometres away from home
Eimear Gallagher has been curious about the workings of the universe since first seeing the Perseids meteor shower when she was five years old.
Nijin Thykkathu
Software Developer for the Space Physics Operations Division
1,000 mile remote control desert test drive for Mars rover
Field trials of a UK built Mars rover took place in the Tabernas Desert in Spain last week. The rover was remote controlled by a team a thousand miles away at STFC RAL Space in Oxfordshire.
National Satellite Test Facility Art Competition Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our art competition
UK and Singapore collaborate on £10m project to develop next generation communications networks
Early demonstration of new quantum space technologies, through the latest collaboration between the UK and Singapore governments, could lead to more secure online activity for consumers in everything from financial transactions to online conversations.
Chris Howe
Production and Software Group Leader
UK dataset expertise informs Google’s new dataset search
Experts from UK Research and Innovation have contributed to a new search tool launched today by Google.
First UK National Satellite Test Facility contracts awarded for major space test equipment
Contracts worth £19 million have been awarded for the first of the major facilities for the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF).
13th UK China Space Conference
Bringing together space experts from academia and industry, the UK China Space Conference is the premier event for promoting capabilities, skills and technologies partnerships in the UK and Chinese space sectors.
14th Appleton Space Conference
The 14th Appleton Space Conference took place at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on Thursday 6th December 2018.
Successful thermal tests for air quality monitoring instrument STM
This week we said goodbye to the Sentinel-5 Structural Thermal Model (STM), which has successfully completed thermal tests in our 3m thermal vacuum chamber.
Sunny outlook for UK science as new radar promises improved weather forecasting
An innovative cloud profiling radar and next generation infrared calibration sources are two exciting new projects led by RAL Space for which UK Space Agency funding was announced today.
Students from across the UK competed in the second UKSEDS Lunar Rover Competition at RAL Space
Seven student teams consisting of over 60 participants from across the UK reached the final stage of the Lunar Rover Competition, which saw them design, construct and test a lunar rover over a period of 9 months.
Third annual JASMIN User Conference
Scientists using the UK’s largest environmental super computer and data store gathered this week (27 June) to share their experiences of big data environmental science.
Cutting edge acoustic testing demonstration
Representatives from the European space community were invited to Harwell this week to hear about the latest progress towards the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF), which will begin construction later this year.
Global data scientists meet in Harwell
Data scientists from across the world gather for PV2018, to address the opportunities in understanding vast datasets.
Earthquakes on Mars
A new mission to Mars, involving a team from the UK that include STFC RAL Space, has gone in to space today with the aim of being the first to study the heart of the Red Planet and measure ‘Marsquakes’ from its surface.
InSight
The Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (Insight) NASA robotic lander will look beneath the surface of Mars to answer questions about the early formation of rocky planets.
£3.5 million for STFC spin out using space technology to monitor the environment
STFC spin-out MIRICO has secured a £3.5 Million investment to support its technology for the instant, high precision measurement of greenhouse gases and pollutants in the environment.
UK supported climate satellite successfully launched into Earth orbit
Sentinel 3B successfully launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia on a Rockot on 25 April 2018 at 17:57 GMT.
UK astronomers contribute to 3D map of a billion stars
British astronomers working on the international space mission Gaia have contributed to a revolution in our understanding of the Milky Way with the release today of a new 3-D map of over one billion stars in our Galaxy.
PUNCH
The Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission is a NASA small-explorer (SMEX) mission: its primary science goal is to fully discern the cross-scale physical processes that unify the solar corona and heliosphere.
Lagrange
The primary goal of the Lagrange mission is to enable improved forecasts of the arrival of space weather phenomena at Earth, through real-time monitoring of the Sun and solar wind from the unique Lagrange L5 vantage point.
PV 2018 Conference
The PV 2018 Conference welcomes you to its 9th edition, to be held 15th – 17th May 2018 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Space Cluster (UK), hosted by the UK Space Agency and jointly organised by STFC and NCEO.
Journey through the Solar System at our Family Science Day
Join us at the Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot for a journey through the Solar System!
Quantum Technologies in Space
RAL Space develops ancillary equipment for the deployment of quantum technologies in space.
Millimetre-Wave Manufacturing
RAL Space has a unique world class facility for manufacturing novel precision made components.
Millimetre-Wave Design
The Design Section of the RAL Space Millimetre-wave Technology Group (MMTG) provides the expertise and resource for the design and optimisation of state-of-the-art devices and systems operating in the Terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Electronics for Quantum Technologies
RAL Space is developing the electronics for control systems in quantum technologies, to obtain measurements of gravity from space.
ARIEL exoplanet mission selected as ESA’s next medium-class science mission
ARIEL, a mission to answer fundamental questions about how planetary systems form and evolve, has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as its next medium-class science mission, due for launch in 2028.
Ariel
Ariel is a major upcoming ESA mission that will study the formation and evolution of exoplanets and planetary systems.
Gas Analyser Technology
RAL Space provides the electronic control systems for Open University developed gas analyser instruments.
X-Ray Spectroscopy
RAL Space design and manufacture small X-ray spectrometers using the Teledyne e2v designed swept charge devices.
Millimetre-Wave Test
The RAL Space Millimetre-Wave Technology Group (MMTG) has state-of-the-art test facilities coupled with world-class expertise in the test and characterisation of millimetre-wave and Terahertz components and instrumentation.
Earth observation instrument that will improve our understanding of the Earth’s climate delivered by UK team
A Broadband Radiometer instrument, designed and built in the UK with the aim of improving our understanding of the Earth’s climate, has been delivered to the EarthCARE mission team in Germany.
Advanced Materials Testing Laboratory
Test and validate space technology
Upgrade to UK environmental science supercomputer will make it twice as capable
A major upgrade is being made to double the storage available in the UK’s leading environmental science supercomputer.
Mid-infrared photonics – laser inscribed optical components
The Laser Spectroscopy Group develop mid-infrared photonic components designed to enhance our mid-infrared gas sensing capability, by applying novel technologies to emulate mature near-infrared sensing components in the mid-infrared spectral region.
CO2 Laser Heterodyne Radiometer deployment to the Finnish Arctic for the FRM4GHG campaign
The RAL Space Laser Heterodyne Radiometer is one of the participating instruments to this campaign and has undergone a complete redesign to make it more compact, rugged, autonomous and easy-to-operate.
Laser isotope ratio-meter volcanic deployment
RAL Space have developed a novel concept of real-time monitoring of carbon isotope ratio enabling compact, rugged and portable deployment.
Intra-cavity laser sensors
The Laser Spectroscopy Group have developed a new technology based on widely tunable cavity enhanced sensors, for gas and liquid phase analysis.
Multipass and cavity enhanced laser spectroscopy
The Laser Spectroscopy Group have developed quantum cascade laser sensing techniques and multipass absorption cells for ultra-low concentration environmental sensing and the investigation of molecular non linear spectroscopy phenomena.
The MISO nanosatellite mission
RAL Space are conducting a preliminary study for a 6U Cubesat atmospheric Earth Observation bilateral mission in partnership with Australia.
Laser Heterodyne Spectro-radiometry for CO2 sounding
During the project, RAL Space will be building instrument concepts and demonstrations for CO2 measurements.
Active Coherent Laser Spectrometer for standoff sensing
The Laser Spectroscopy Group have demonstrated an eye-safe system that achieves high detection sensitivity and quantitative chemical selectivity.
Long open-path laser dispersion sensing
The Laser Spectroscopy Group develop Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS) based instruments that derive concentration using the phase of light.
Mid InfraRed hollow waveguide integration
The Spectroscopy Group are developing and enabling technologies relevant to laser-based instruments for molecular spectroscopy and remote sensing, particularly in the mid infrared region where most of molecules have strong spectral signatures.
Optical Ground Support Equipment
We design, build and operate highly accurate Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE) for space science and Earth observation missions as well as ground based instruments.
Sending robots where people fear to tread
A team of UK robotics experts have started a project that is going to investigate how Mars rover technology developed for space exploration could help land mine clearance experts and potentially save lives in the developing world.
Two unusual apprenticeships
Apprentices from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and STFC met at RAL to share their experiences of working in two of the UK’s leading scientific institutions.
Spectroscopy
The Spectroscopy Group carries out R&D on novel concepts and instruments for high-precision laser-based hyperspectral sensing, aiming to pioneer the development of the next generation of sensing systems.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
The Autonomous Systems Group has expertise in and has worked on a number of instruments and components related to robotics and autonomous systems both for space application and terrestrial use.
Robotic Platforms
The Autonomous Systems Group has a long history in developing and prototyping rover platforms especially for field testing and Validation and Verification.
James Webb Space Telescope one step closer to launch with move to California
It’s an exciting start to the New Year for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the teams involved in the mission, as it begins what will be its final set of tests.
Watching the weather in space
A team of UK space scientists have been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to take part in a new mission to better prepare Earth against the damaging effects of space weather.
Missions and Projects
In 1962, researchers at what is now RAL supported a space mission to launch Canada’s first satellite, Alouette 1, marking the beginning of RAL Space’s involvement with the space industry.
Space Crafts
Three craft-loving women swapped their sewing patterns and glue guns to take on an out-of-this-world job opportunity, and are now helping to make thermal blankets for satellites.
CTIO Victor Blanco Telescope
The Victor Blanco telescope is a 4 metre aperture telescope on Cerro Tololo, Chile built in 1974.
Pan-STARRS
The PanSTARRS observatory operates two wide field 1.8 meter aperture telescopes on Haleakala on the island of Maui.
Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST)
The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is a 4 metre aperture solar telescope and will be the world’s largest ground-based solar telescope once operational in 2019.
Cambridge IPS Array (Lord's Bridge)
A 81.5 MHz radio array at Lord’s Bridge, near Cambridge. The array was repaired and upgraded in 1989 in a collaboration between Cambridge, RAL and the Space Environment Laboratory (NOAA, Boulder, USA) for routine use in monitoring IPS signals.
SOAR
The Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR) telescope - a 4 meter aperture optical telescope on Cerro Pachon, Chile was built and is operated by a consortium of US universities and Brazil and saw first light in 2004
Quasi-Optical Components
RAL Space has extensive experience in the design, fabrication, assembly and test of quasi-optical components and networks for millimetre and submillimetre-wave beam forming.
R&D 100 Award for pioneering work with environmental science data
Congratulations to the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA), based within STFC RAL Space, for their role in winning a prestigious R&D 100 award.
Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)
LBT, a pair of identical 8.4m telescopes, are the first of the Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs.) Its large aperture, high resolution, low thermal background and high sensitivity allows it to detect faint objects far out in space.
Las Cumbres Observatory
The Las Cumbres Observatory operates 18 medium size robotic telescopes spread around the globe used for astronomical research and education.
Chilbolton Atmospheric Observatory (CAO)
The synergistic use of CAO’s radars at multiple frequencies provides opportunities for improving our understanding of cloud and precipitation properties.
13th Appleton Space Conference
The 13th Appleton Space Conference took place at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on Thursday 7th December 2017.
Major space conference celebrates the latest UK advancements in space science and Earth observation
Leading figures from the UK space industry gathered in Oxfordshire to discuss advances in space science and Earth observation, and to share tips on some of the industry’s key technology challenges as well as hearing major announcements.
Beagle 2
Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express mission.
Proba-V
Proba-V is the fourth satellite in the European Space Agency's PROBA series; the V standing for vegetation.
MIRI on the right tracks at NASA Johnson
UK scientists and engineers are celebrating following the confirmation that their instrument has performed very well during the cryogenic testing for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at NASA Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston, Texas.
National Satellite Test Facility
A world class set of co-located facilities for environmental testing of space payloads and satellites up to 7000kg.
Dark Matter Day 2017
Happy Dark Matter Day! Today we’re marking the global hunt for dark matter, the huge part of the Universe that scientists’ calculations tell us exists, but that has never been observed.
Top RAL Space scientist awarded an Honorary Doctorate
RAL Space’s Professor Brian Ellison, world leading expert in millimetre and sub millimetre wave (terahertz) technologies, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University (OU).
Cold Atoms and Quantum Sensors
The Cold Atoms team research and develop the next generation sensors based on the quantum properties of ultra-cold atomic gases.
Chilbolton Observatory – a rare glimpse inside!
Local landmark Chilbolton Observatory opened its gates yesterday to the general public to offer them a rare opportunity to look around and learn about its 50 years at the cutting edge of weather and space research.
Terahertz and Millimetre-Wave Receivers and Radiometers
The Millimetre Technology (MMT) group has many years expertise in the design, development and operation of Millimetre-Wave and Terahertz semi- and super-conductor receivers and complete radiometer instruments for satellite, airborne and ground-based use.
UK to design new instrument to measure climate change and study star formation in space
UK scientists will play a key role in designing a new instrument to sit on board the ISS that will not only monitor the effects of climate change on the Earth’s atmosphere but will also help us to better understand the origins of stars and planets.
Ask us anything this World Space Week
To celebrate World Space Week and 60 years since Sputnik was launched, RAL Space answered your questions about space on our Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Friday 6th October.
Bringing together UK excellence in satellite calibration
Two world-leading UK scientific institutions have today joined forces to strengthen their support for the nation’s rapidly-growing space sector.
Reducing pest risk through collaboration; PRISE visit to RAL Space
On Friday 29th September, the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) hosted key partners from the PRISE project; including a variety of organisations across the UK, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana as part of the UK Stakeholder workshop.
The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis & JASMIN
The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) run data centres for the NERC science community, and in collaboration with STFC’s Scientific Computing Department, operates the JASMIN e-infrastructure.
Cassini’s Grand Finale
Today Cassini, makes its final dive into Saturn’s atmosphere. The spacecraft will be crushed and vaporised by the high pressure and temperature levels having completed its incredible mission.
New UK-China agreement to increase space education
Leading space scientists from the UK and China have today signed a partnership agreement which looks to enrich each nation’s space education and space culture activities.
UK-China Workshops
The U.K. China Space workshop is the premier space event that is held annually with China.
UK ramps up its satellite testing capabilities with new vacuum chamber
STFC RAL Space has successfully installed the second 5m diameter by 6m long thermal vacuum chamber, helping to ensure the UK remains a world leader for space technology.
RAL Cloud and Aerosol Group
Together with the University of Oxford and DWD we develop the ORAC/CC4CL* code to retrieve cloud and aerosol properties from passive visible to IR satellite instruments.
Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE)
EGSE systems developed by RAL Space have been used on ground-based astronomy and space projects, from individual subsystems such as cameras and blackbodies, to whole spacecraft.
Micro Fourier Transform Spectrometer
RAL Space has designed and developed a novel Micro Fourier Transform Spectrometer (microFTS) based on a static optical configuration.
Student teams complete lunar rover challenge
Six undergraduate teams from across the UK met to test their lunar rover designs at STFC’s RAL Space facility robotics trials area this weekend (Sunday 16 July).
The next steps for MIRI
Testing is underway for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), the coldest instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
£100M boost for UK space sector to ensure UK is equipped to stay ahead of the competition
Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson underlined the government’s commitment to the UK space sector today as he visited STFC’s RAL Space Facility, the future site of a new £100m state-of-the-art government-funded satellite facility.
8 Minutes: Combining Solar Physics with Contemporary Dance
RAL Space has collaborated with the Alexander Whitley Dance Company on a contemporary dance piece that combines science with art.
News
Read the latest news stories from RAL Space and view the list of all previous news.
Events and conferences
RAL Space hosts a variety of events and conferences for a wide range of stakeholders. Find out more about our latest events.
Publications
View the collection of our downloadable brochures to find out more about RAL Space and our facilities.
Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day
Celebrating all Women in Engineering and highlighting two of our RAL Space engineers.
UK students design their own volcano monitoring satellite using world class space science facilities
A team of students and staff from the University of Bristol (UoB) are designing a volcano monitoring satellite as part of the UoB satellite programme.
Remote Sensing Group Members
Chilbolton Observatory celebrates 50 years of searching the skies
One of the world’s most advanced weather radar research facilities, which is based in the UK, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week.
Space technology exploitation
By providing a variety of routes to exploitation, RAL Space enables its staff and our partners to make best use of their investments in space technology.
Millimetre-Wave
The Millimetre-Wave Technology (MMT) Group has delivered cutting edge technology for frequencies ranging from 50 GHz to above 2 THz for more than twenty years.
RADAR Systems
At the Chilbolton Observatory, RAL Space provides the research community with sophisticated radar systems for the study of clouds, rainfall and boundary-layer processes.
Technologies
Bespoke Products
The Millimetre Technology Group has proven expertise in the design and manufacture of an extensive range of waveguide and quasi-optical components used in the development of millimetre-wave and Terahertz instrumentation.
Imaging Systems
Happy Birthday JASMIN!
Over the last five years, JASMIN has enabled a vibrant and dynamic UK research community to do new and exciting science.
International Space Weather experts gather in London for workshop
An international four day workshop on space weather forecast services kicks off today at the BEIS Conference Centre, London.
News, Events and Publications
Facilities and Services
RAL Space offers state-of-the-art facilities for the design, build, and test of space hardware and instruments.
Areas of Expertise
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GOES-R
RAL Space GOES-R team celebrates a successful launch.
UK Space Weather expert wins prestigious international award
Professor Mike Hapgood, Head of Space Weather at STFC RAL Space, is this year’s recipient of the Baron Marcel Nicolet Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate.
Agri-rover
The Agri-rover project uses space technology to help farmers in China and the UK.
12th Appleton Space Conference
ESA Astronaut Tim Peake was this years' keynote speaker
Laser Spectroscopy Facility
The Laser Spectroscopy team carries out research and development on tuneable laser spectroscopy methods, instruments, technologies, and applications.
STFC hosts new ESA lab for advanced manufacturing techniques and materials
The latest technical laboratory for the European Space Agency (ESA), inaugurated today by Director General Jan Woerner, will help to understand the capabilities of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing techniques for future space missions.
Copernicus
Copernicus is the new name for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security programme, previously known as GMES.
Sentinel-3A
Sentinel 3A was launched from Russia on 16th February
Sentinel-3B - First space flight hardware completes testing in R100
The first set of space flight hardware to have completed testing and calibration in RAL Space’s new assembly, integration and verification facilities in R100 has been completed and successfully delivered in June.
RAL Space to contribute to new UK National Space Propulsion Facility
STFC RAL Space have confirmed that they will be supporting the UK Space Agency with the operations of the new National Propulsion Test Facility.
Precision Development Facility
The Precision Development Facility - Millimetre Wave Technology - is a comprehensive and well-equipped facility providing expertise in precision machining and novel component prototyping associated with the manufacture of miniature detectors.
High-Resolution Spectroscopy Facility
The High-Resolution Spectroscopy Facility studies the spectrally-resolved radiative properties of matter (extinction, emission, and reflection) at high spectral resolution across a wide span of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Ground Station Facility
RAL Space Ground Station provides services to the scientific community and undertakes work for commercial clients. We also welcome academia/industry collaborations.
Robotic arm technology to help reduce the environmental impact of farming
Robot technology designed for use on Mars could help improve crop yields on Earth.
JWST instruments are coming in from the cold
After being tested at extremely low temperatures for more than two months, the four instruments of the James Webb Space Telescope are preparing to come in from the cold.
STFC-supported scientists awarded for geophysics and astronomy work
A number of STFC-supported scientists are celebrating after being recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in its annual awards. The winners have all been acknowledged for their significant achievements in the fields of astronomy and geophysics
UK-China Research and Innovation Partnership
Agricultural science and technology is being increasingly driven by the global challenges of rising populations, rapid development of emerging economies and global shortages of land, water and energy.
RAL IASI Methane Processor
RAL Ozone Profile Algorithm
Remote Sensing Group at RAL Space
RAL Space's Remote Sensing Group (RSG) has international standing in satellite sounding of atmospheric composition, founded on core expertise in radiative transfer modelling and retrieval scheme development.
11th Appleton Space Conference
Mark Chapman, Chief Engineer at Bloodhound SSC was the keynote speaker at the 11th Appleton Space Conference held on Thursday 3rd December 2015 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire.
Successfully sniffing Comet 67P
The Ptolemy laboratory on the Philae lander was co-designed and built by STFCs RAL Space in conjunction with the Open University.
New Space science laboratory offers 27.7m pound boost to UKs space industry
Today marks a giant leap for the UK space industry as 2 major new space facilities are opened at the UK Space Gateway in Oxfordshire including the new STFC RAL Space integration and test facility ‘R100’.
Next Generation Climate Instrument Calibrated in the UK
A next generation satellite based sensor that is designed to advance our understanding of climate change has left the UK after a series of very challenging tests, and is en-route to the south of France for installation on the Sentinel 3 spacecraft.
Professor Bruce Swinyard
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Professor Bruce Swinyard, who lost his battle with cancer on the 22nd of May 2015. Bruce joined RAL in 1987 and became the leading figure in RAL Space’s highly successful infrared astronomy programme.
New Director for RAL Space
Dr Christopher Mutlow today takes up the reins as Director of RAL Space at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Dr Mutlow brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.
UK takes next steps in preparing for Space Weather events
Space weather has the potential to have a massive negative impact on space and Earth based systems that we take for granted, such as communications networks
Gold Medal for STFC supported Astronomer
January 12th 2015 – A number of STFC supported astronomers are celebrating after being honoured by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in their annual awards for their work in geophysics and astronomy. Leading the Field is Professor Mike Lockwood.
10th Appleton Space Conference
The Rt Hon Ed Vaizey MP was the keynote speaker for the 10th Appleton Space Conference held on Thursday 4th December 2014 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire.
TechDemoSat
TechDemoSat is a SSTL satellite which is carrying several technology experiments.
EarthCARE
EarthCARE (Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer) is an ESA Earth observation mission that will investigate the relationship between clouds, aerosols and radiation and their combined effects on the Earth's climate system.
UKube-1
UK Space Agency‘s pilot programme to design and launch a (3U) CubeSat – a miniaturized (30x10x10 cm) satellite that will enable the UK to demonstrate new technologies in space.
UrtheCast
RAL Space Imaging Systems have designed, built and tested two cameras, one high and one medium resolution, for installation on the Russian module of the International Space Station.
Sentinel-3
RAL Space calibrated the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) on Sentinel-3.
Sentinel-2
Sentinel-2 is composed of twin satellites 2A and 2B in the same orbit which provides image data in order to observe land management, agriculture and forestry, disaster control, risk mapping and more.
ADM - Aeolus
Aeolus is an ESA Earth Explorer mission exploring wind profiles on a global scale. The data produced will improve the accuracy of weather and climate prediction.
Natural Mini-magnetospheres on the Moon
Pitch@palace
The Duke of York will welcome 41 start-ups to St Jamess Palace on Wednesday 5th November for the second Pitch@Palace event. The theme for the evening is Science and Technology.
UK leads new international solar storm tracking initiative
1 October 2014 – UK scientists have unveiled a new £2.5 million (€3.2 million) project that will improve forecasts of solar storms, including their arrival time and impact on the Earth.
The STFC Newton Agri-Tech Fund
The STFC Newton Agri-Tech Fund
STFC researcher wins highly competitive Fellowship award
STFC RAL Space researcher Dr Elin McCormack today receives a Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship from the Royal Society, for her work on remote sensing of atmospheric electric field strength. She is one of just nine researchers selected.
Solar Storm Watch
There was a big eruption on the Sun late on Wednesday afternoon sending a large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) straight towards the Earth and also producing a bright solar flare.
UK Mini-laboratory catches up with double comet
Mini-laboratory developed and built at the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is due to rendezvous with a comet...
RAL Space team is Ground Control for newly launched UK satellite UKube-1
Teamwork Excellence Recognised by ESA
When a mission that was meant to last for two years manages to stay viable for 13, its fair to assume that there is a great team behind it. The Cluster team have been acknowledged for doing just that.
Professor Colin Pillinger
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of our friend and colleague, Professor Colin Pillinger.
Epic spacewalk will put us in the front row for near live video of the Earth
UK scientists use ALMA to spot supernova dust factory 160,000 light years away
UK scientists have used the ALMA telescope to help capture the remains of a recent supernova - or exploding star – that is brimming with freshly formed dust 160,000 light years from Earth.
Lift-off for Billion-Star Surveyor
UK scientists and engineers are celebrating today after the successful launch into space of the European Space Agencys GAIA mission that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe.
Discovery of the Most Luminous Galaxy in the Local Universe
New observations from ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory using the U.K. led SPIRE instrument have pinned down what could be the the most luminous object in the local Universe.
9th Appleton Space Conference
HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York KG FRS speaking at the 9th Appleton Space Conference held at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the 5th December 2013.
Outer Space family day at the Cornerstone
On 29 October 2013 RAL Space teamed up with the National Space Academy to engage with the Oxfordshire community, and showcase some of the amazing science, technology and engineering projects RAL Space are involved in.
TeraSCREEN
TeraSCREEN: Multi-frequency multi-mode terahertz screening for border checks: a 42-month, €4.8M EU FP7 project to enhance current safe, security screening capabilities.
The Chilbolton Observatory
Chilbolton Observatory is home to a wide range of science facilities covering research in atmospheric science, radiocommunications, astronomy and space science and technology.
From Mars, to volcanoes, ash clouds and chimneystacks - UK spin-out brings space technology to Earth
COSPAR and the UK
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
The Sun unleashes four large X-class solar flares
The Sun is approaching its peak of activity this year and is now littered with sunspot groups, which are the regions where the solar magnetic field emerges into its atmosphere providing the energy for that activity
Herschel finds hot gas on the menu for Milky Ways black hole
Astronomers using Europes Herschel Space Observatory have spotted a cloud of incredibly hot gas very close to the supermassive black hole that lies at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy.
Herschel - the mission that refused to die!
The Herschel Space Observatory launched in 2009 had a projected lifetime of around 3.5 years, after which its supply of on-board liquid Helium would expire.
Science Minister launches first ever Higher Apprenticeship in Space Engineering
The Science Minister David Willetts launched the first ever Higher Apprenticeship in Space Engineering at STFCs Rutherford Appleton Laboratory today. The apprenticeship has been developed by Loughborough College in association with the National Space Aca
UK celebrates completion of the most complex ground-based telescope ALMA
Scientists across the UK are today proudly celebrating the monumental achievement of the completion of ALMA - the most complex ground-based telescope in existence. The telescope is being officially opened during an inauguration ceremony in Chile.
Final ALMA Front End Delivered
Arrival of European component completes another phase in ALMA construction
The Last Receiver Front End Leaves its ALMA Mater
The RAL Space ALMA project team last week waved goodbye to the last ALMA front end to be assembled and tested in the European Front End Integration Centre (EuFEIC).
UK must plan now to defend itself against extreme solar weather events
In a report published today by the Royal Academy of Engineering, recommendations are made that the UK should plan now to mitigate the effects of a rare but potentially serious solar superstorm.
Government space weather advisor wins Royal Astronomical Society Service Award
Professor Mike Hapgood from RAL Space, an advisor to the government on the huge disruption solar storms can cause, has won the Royal Astronomical Society Service Award.
New Year Honours for Professor Richard Holdaway
Professor Richard Holdaway, Director of RAL Space, was awarded a CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire - in the New Years Honours List 2013; in recognition of his remarkable services to Science and Technology.
8th Appleton Space Conference
HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York KG, giving an opening address at the 8th Appleton Space Conference held at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on Thursday 6th December 2012
VISTA creates huge nine-gigapixel zoomable image of 84 million stars
A nine-gigapixel zoomable image of 84 million stars has been created by an international team of astronomers using the UK-built VISTA infrared survey telescope at ESOs Paranal Observatory. The image is so large that, if printed with the resolution of the
UK contributes 24 robotic arms in giant leap forward in near-infrared astronomy
A new high-tech instrument with 24 robotic arms has crossed the Atlantic from Edinburgh to a mountain top in Chile to address in more detail than ever before, some of the key questions surrounding the beginnings of the Universe, stars and galaxies.
New Satellite has begun taking the Earths Temperature
The Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) 3 instrument, aboard the latest European weather satellite MSG-3, was successfully activated on 9th August and the first image produced the next day.
Tracking air pollution around the Olympics
not only are the Olympics providing stunning sporting results for the UK, they are also providing scientific data which will help improve air quality forecasting in the years ahead
Deflector Shields protect the Lunar Surface
Scientists from RAL Space at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory have solved a lunar mystery and their results might lead the way to determining if the same mechanism could be artificially manipulated to create safe havens for future space explorers.
200th RAL Space instrument launched to help improve weather warnings
The Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument, on board the Meteosat Second Generation 3 satellite, is the 200th RAL Space instrument to be launched into space.
Last Chance for a Century to Witness the Transit of Venus
For the last time until the year 2117, people around the world will have a chance to witness the transit of Venus as the planet passes directly between Earth and the Sun on Tuesday 5th June.
First instrument for the JWST is completed and handed over to NASA
After more than ten years of work by more than 200 engineers, the Mid InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), a camera so sensitive it could see a candle on one of Jupiters moons, has been declared ready for delivery by the European Space Agency and NASA.
Cassini sees new objects blazing trails in Saturn ring
Strange objects that are half a mile long and leave glittering trails behind them have been discovered punching through part of Saturns F ring, one of the more recently discovered rings around Saturn.
Solar Storm Warning in Nature
"We should prepare for a space weather event that might happen only once in 1,000 years". One of the arguments put forward by Professor Mike Hapgood, Chair of an expert group advising the Government on space weather risks.
VISTA produces spectacular panoramic view of the distant Universe
The most detailed infrared image ever taken of a region of space large enough to be representative of the distant Universe has been released by a team led by the University of Edinburgh. The image from the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) VISTA teles
Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR)
The Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) on the ESA/EU GMES Sentinel-3 mission will provide highly accurate measurements of global Earth surface temperatures.
Revolutionary navigation system for future Mars rovers
Physicists shed new light on supernova mystery
Physicists have a new theory on the mysterious mechanism that causes the explosion of massive, or core, stars.
Cosmic Vision: UK set to unlock the secrets of the Sun and search for dark energy
With funding from the UK Space Agency, space scientists and industry partners in the UK are set to benefit from two European Space Agency (ESA) projects - Euclid and Solar Orbiter.
ALMA opens its "eyes" wide and reveals its first images
LOFAR-UK observes an active Sun!
Over the last few days, our Sun has been very active. Apart from the dedicated solar instruments monitoring this activity, we have also been able to observe it with the LOFAR radio telescope at Chilbolton.
Threats from space - what the weather might have in store
A meeting of space scientists at the University of Leicester is examining the future of space science - and the threat posed to the Earth from space weather.
Terahertz quantum cascade laser spectroscopy
This work is conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Microwaves and Photonics of the University of Leeds.
UK teams developing new ways of monitoring Earths climate from Space
Teams of scientists and engineers have been awarded contracts worth more than £500,000 to develop new satellite technologies for observing the Earth from Space.
Planetary Science
RAL Space has a strong, multi-faceted instrument programme in planetary science, which has included missions to the inner solar system planets, comets, the Saturnian system, the Moon and studies of exoplanets.
Cosmic eye emerges from exhaustive tests in UK space lab
Instrument to launch on Hubble-successor to reveal the Universe over 10 billion years ago.
Sweet 16 for ALMA as first European antenna reaches the high site
The ALMA project, that will revolutionise our knowledge of the Universe, now has a sufficient number of antennas in place to produce its first science observations. The 16th antenna, joined antennas from other international ALMA partners on 27th July....
A twisted ring in the galactic centre
Third Annual ESA/NASA Planetary Protection Course
Third Annual ESA/NASA Planetary Protection Course
Worlds first live video feed of Earth from space
The worlds first high definition streaming video camera to be installed on the International Space Station
MIRI First Light
The flight model MIRI instrument opened its eyes for the first time in the Space Test Chamber at RAL.
MIDAS
The MIDAS project will redress the technology imbalance between the EU and the US in a most significant area of European technology non-dependence, affecting the scientific and commercial exploitation of the sub-millimetre region of the electro-magnetics
Mini magnetospheres
References
New spaceship force field makes Mars trip possible
Latest papers
First UK mini satellite CubeSat to include pocket space mission for the public
UK technology scans the skies for space hazards
UK space surveillance technology is being used in ESAs first co-ordinated space tracking campaign - part of a larger programme to provide up to date and accurate information on space hazards in Earths orbit.
Registration and presentation submission
Humankind sees the Sun as never before...
For the first time in history a stunning view of the whole Sun is visible to the world.
Giant radio telescope goes multi-national - first images from LOFAR
In the quest to discover more about our Universe and the birth of stars and galaxies, a new UK telescope - LOFAR - connected for the first time to others across Europe has delivered its first radio pictures
Planck unveils wonders of the universe
The first scientific results from Europes Planck spacecraft were released on 11th January 2011. The findings, focusing on the coldest objects in the Universe - both within our galaxy and also out to the most distant reaches of space ....
Gaia
The Gaia spacecraft is surveying one percent of our galaxy by detecting and measuring the motion of each star. From this, it will build the largest and most precise 3D map of our galaxy to date.
MMT Cloud Radar
Our 94 GHz cloud radar, developed in conjunction with the UK Met Office, is a versatile atmospheric sounding tool.
AMSTAR - Advanced Millimetre and Sub-mm Technology for Astronomical Research
The overall objective of Focal Plane Array Development is to design, construct and demonstrate a novel focal plane heterodyne array receiver suitable for radio astronomical use within the millimetre wavelength range (2-3mm).
SOHO Space mission celebrates 15 years of revealing the Suns secrets
Today (2nd December 2010) marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) - the worlds largest and most successful solar space mission.
UK Company set to transform electronics for security scanners and cancer detection
A new UK company set to transform the use of terahertz electronics for applications in security imaging, telecommunications and cancer detection has won a prize in Research Councils UK (RCUK)
Mixers
Mixers are a key component in heterodyne transceiver systems. The MMT Group has extensive experience in the design, manufacture and test of mixers using planar Schottky diode technology.
Frequency Multipliers
RAL Space has extensive experience in the design, manufacture and test of frequency multipliers based on Schottky and Heterostructure Barrier Varactor diodes.
Diodes
The Millimetre-Wave Technology Group has developed the capability to fabricate low capacitance Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Schottky diodes for applications in millimetre and sub-millimetre wave heterodyne mixers, harmonic sources and direct detectors.
Photomixers
The Millimetre-Wave Technology Group has pioneered the generation of millimetre-wave power using photomixing of two 1550 nm laser beams in high bandwidth InGaAs photodiodes.
Blackbody calibration targets
The Millimetre-Wave Technology Group has developed a range of radiometer calibration targets which have an excellent return loss, typically better than -40 dB, suitable for use over a wide frequency range, from circa 10 GHz to above 1 THz.
Filters
RAL Space design, manufacture and provide test services for quasi-optical devices. Transmission and reflection testing of component designs is also possible.
Cryogenic Receivers
RAL Space develops and supplies cryogenic terahertz heterodyne receiver systems.
Technology at risk from Space Weather
After a prolonged period of solar inactivity, the sun will embark on a new 11 year solar cycle starting in 2012.
Herschel digs up the dirt on distant galaxies using cosmic zoom lenses
A UK-led team using the worlds largest space telescope, ESAs Herschel Space Observatory, has discovered a new way of locating a natural phenomenon that acts like a zoom lens, allowing astronomers to peer at galaxies in the distant and early Universe.
ALMA Front End Integration Centre (FEIC)
Ready to Start Production Phase
Spectacular image wows UK scientists
The UK-designed and built ESO VISTA telescope has taken a spectacular infrared image revealing an extraordinary landscape of glowing tendrils of gas, dark clouds and young stars 2700 light-years away
MIRI starts space adventure at STFCs Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
The pioneering camera and spectrometer for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the gigantic successor to the Hubble Telescope, is about to receive its first taste of the harsh conditions of space, without even leaving the UK.
SISTeR
Scanning Infrared Sea Surface Temperature Radiometer
James Clerk Maxwell Telescope
The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope is the largest astronomical telescope in the world designed specifically to operate in the submillimeter wavelength region of the spectrum. It is now operated and owned by the East Asian Observatory.
Are we alone? Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell unveils 'ear on the universe'
Recipe for water: just add starlight
The European Space Agencys Herschel infrared space observatory has discovered that ultraviolet starlight is a key ingredient for making water in the atmosphere of some stars
Spectacular new 'Tarantula' image captured by VISTA
Astronomers have captured a spectacular new image in a region of our neighbouring galaxy known to have an abnormally high rate of star formation that reveals yet more details about its history and development
New generation security body scanner unveiled by ThruVision Systems
ThruVision Systems Ltd has officially launched the TS4, its new generation of compact security body scanner, at the Farnborough International Air Show in Hampshire.
STFC builds revolutionary radiation monitors for ESA
STFCs reputation for the development of world class space science instrumentation and high performance detector systems has led to the award of a significant contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to STFC and Imperial College London
Ptolemy Instrument on Rosetta's Philae Lander
Optics facilities
Over the last 30 years the Optical Systems Group have designed instruments that cover the range of wavelengths from extreme UV through to very long wave THz systems.
Electronics Facilities
The Electronics Group within the Imaging Systems Division has several facilities.
Systems Engineering
As well as producing individual electronics or optical component for larger projects, Imaging Systems also have a long heritage in the design of the entire imaging system - from initial conception and design, through to manufacture and testing.
CASSIOPE
CASSIOPE stands for the ‘CASCADE Smallsat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer’ and is a Canadian small hybrid satellite carrying several payloads.
GSAT-1
GSAT-1 was an experimental communications satellite that carried 3 c-band transponders and 2 S-band transponders. It was used for digital audio broadcast, internet services and digital TV transmission experiments.
IONOSONDE (Chilton and Stanley)
Ionosondes are specialised radars which reflect pulses at the Earths ionosphere to find optimised frequencies for communications. RAL Space has worked on ionospherics since as early as the 1920s at Ditton Park.
TacSat
Tactical Satellite 1 (TacSat) aimed to test and develop tactical communications concepts for US military services.
STRV-1c/d
STRV was a series of 4 British microsatellites launched in 2 pairs. They tested new technologies in the high dose radiative environment of a geostationary transfer orbit. 1C and 1D carried a lithium ion battery and GPS receiver.
Swarm
Swarm is the fourth in a line of Earth Explorer research missions. It is a set of three identical satellites that measure magnetic signals from the magnetosphere, ionosphere and the Earth.
RapidEye
RapidEye is a collection of five identicle mini-satellites which provide high resolution large area image data daily in five spectral bands.
Sapphire
Sapphire is part of the Canadian Space Surveillance System. It tracks objects in high Earth orbit to provide data used in the U.S Satellite Catalogue.
SKYNET-5
Skynet 5 is a constellation of 5 UK military communication satellites which provide services to the British Armed Forces and NATO.
MSG-4
MSG-4, or Meteosat-11, is one of a series is one of a series of satellites which sends sharp imagery of Europe, Africa and parts of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean every 15 minutes for meteorological study.
NigeriaSat-2
NigeriaSat-2, a Nigerian satellite, provides data for disaster monitoring, urban planning and environmental monitoring with a very high resolution imaging capacity.
Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)
NOAA-N
NOAA-N, or NOAA 18, is the 15th in a series of satellites that monitor severe weather and observe the Earth's atmosphere to improve weather prediction.
Proba-3
Proba-3 is an upcoming ESA mission as well as the world's first precision formation flying mission, in which a pair of satellites will fly together in a fixed configuration.
Herschel reveals details of distant galaxies and quasars
Amazing new data captured by ESA's Herschel Space Observatory – carrying the largest mirror ever launched into space - have just been publicly released, allowing the Worlds astronomers to share in the SPIRE instrument's observations of distant galaxies.
KA-SAT
KA-SAT is a European communications satellite that provides high-bandwidth broadband. It was the first European satellite with an exclusively Ka-band communications payload, enabling it to reuse frequencies.
MetOp-A
Europe's first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology. It is the first of 3 satellites to be launched sequentially over 14 years.
MOSES
MOSES was a NASA sounding rocket mission carrying a remote sensing extreme UV spectrograph. It measured velocities and temperatures of the sun to build pictures.
ExoMars
ExoMars (2016) was a combination of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the landing Demonstrator Module Schiaparelli. They flew to Mars in search of methane and other trace gases.
Giove-B
GIOVE-B was the second test for Galileo, the first positioning, navigation and timing system for civil use consisting of a constellation of 24 satellites. GIOVE-B tested critical Galileo instruments and technologies.
GOES-16
GOES-R, or GOES-16, is the first in the GOES-R series of 4 NOAA geostationary weather satellites. It provides advanced imagery and real-time mapping of weather, lightning and monitoring of solar activity and space weather.
Herschel Sounding Rocket
The Herschel Sounding Rocket investigated the origin of solar wind, helium abundance, CMEs, kinematics and more.
Cassini/Huygens
Cassini was a joint NASA-ESA-ASI mission. It orbited Saturn for 13 years, studying Saturn's atmosphere and moons. Cassini also carried a probe, Huygens, which landed on Titan, one of Saturn's moons.
CFESat
CFESat is an American military microsatellite that studies radio spectra for ionosphere and lightning studies.
AstroGrid
AstroGrid was the UK's Virtual Observatory development project from 2001-2010. It produced a working data grid for key selected astronomical databases, with associated data mining facilities.
UK Solar System Data Centre
The UK Solar System Data Centre system provides archiving and data distribution services relating to Solar system science, Earth's ionosphere and geomagnetic environment.
CMOS Active Pixel Sensor technology
RAL Space has a UK lead in the development of science-grade CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) active pixel sensors as an alternative to CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) detectors. A 12 million pixel sensor has been demonstrated.
Near Earth Objects (NEOS)
UK-designed and built VISTA telescope views the Sculptor Galaxy
Sculptor Galaxy captured by European Southern Observatory VISTA telescope as part of its first major observational campaigns provides new information on the history and development of the galaxy.
Space environment physics
Space Environment Physics
Space weather
Space weather arises when disturbances in the terrestrial and near-space environments, driven by solar activity, disrupt vital technological systems such as electric power, positioning and communications services, and spacecraft operations.
Fundamental physics
Solar Physics
RAL Space has a long heritage of solar space mission involvement, mainly through the development and operation of spectroscopic instrumentation in the extreme-UV and X-ray wavelengths, but also in heliospheric imaging.
Are we alone? New radio telescope 'to potentially search for alien intelligence'
KAIRA - First Radar Light
KAIRA (Kilpisjärvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array) completed the first phase of the High Band Antenna (HBA) array verification with the first incoherent radar scatter echoes detected on the 17th August 2012.
MARSCHALS
MARSCHALS is a millimetre-wave limb sounding spectrometer currently deployed from the Russian M-55 Geophysica high-altitude aircraft.
Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere (MST) RADAR
RAL Space designed and, in collaboration with Aberystwyth University, built the MST Radar in 1988/1989 and has managed it ever since.
Herschel and Planck clock up one year in Space
At 13.12 GMT on 14 May 2009, an Ariane 5 rocket carrying two brand new space telescopes launched into space.
Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) technology
RAL Space has a strategic programme in the development of Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) detectors and readout electronics technology.
Thermal Systems Engineering
The Thermal Engineering Group within RAL Space designs space and ground-based instruments.
Mechanical Engineering
The role of the Mechanical Engineering Group is to ensure that flight instruments are designed and built to survive the demanding requirements placed upon them during launch and operation in Space.
Optical Imaging
RAL Space is developing next-generation Earth observation cameras capable of ground sampling down to 0.5m per pixel from a small satellite.
Clearest ever pictures of the Sun returned from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory
UK scientists are celebrating after the return of the first images from NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission.
James Webb Space Telescope - Science Goals
James Webb Space Telescope - Science Goals
Instrumentation
There will be four instruments on board the James Webb Space Telescope:
The Mid Infra-Red Instrument (MIRI)
Mid Infra-Red Instrument (MIRI)
MIRI structural model
What is happening at the moment?
What is happening at the moment?
Chandrayaan-1
Chandrayaan-1 was the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO's) first mission to the Moon, launched in October 2008 on board a Polar Satellite launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) launch site in India.
Front End Integration Centre: ALMA
Near-Earth Environment
Our scientists study phenomena in the near-Earth environment using space-based and ground-based instruments.
Astronomy
RAL Space supports astronomers using instruments in space and on the ground, with a wide range of expertise in design, building, testing and calibration.
Space Research
RAL Space undertakes pure research in solar physics, solar-terrestrial physics atmospheric physics, planetary and magnetospheric physics, astronomy and fundamental physics.
Technology
We have a number of internationally-important technology groups, each specialising in a specific critical technology associated with cutting-edge space instrumentation.
Data Management
RAL Space has considerable experience in the processing, analysis and archiving of scientific data.
Earth Observation
RAL Space scientists contribute to and underpin UK and international programmes in environmental science through the provision of research expertise, services and facilities in support of the UK science community.
Hubble's successor one step closer to completion
A working replica of MIRI – the pioneering camera and spectrometer for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) - has just been shipped from the STFCs Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre.
Planck space observatory unveils the coldest regions of our galaxy
Giant filaments of cold dust stretching through the coldest regions of our Galaxy are revealed in new images, released today (17th March), from ESAs Planck satellite.
Hinode (Solar-B)
Hinode (SOLAR-B) studied the interaction between the Sun's magnetic field and its corona using optical, EUV and X-ray instruments to improve our understanding of solar variability and the origins of solar activity.
ACE
ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) is a NASA Explorers mission orbiting the L1 Libration point - where it studies spaceborne energetic particles and provides near real-time space weather data.
ALMA
ALMA measures rare submillimetric light that comes from the furthest reaches of our universe to study the Earth's cosmic origins.
Alouette 1
Alouette 1 was a small ionospheric observatory instrumented with an ionospheric sounder, a VLF receiver, an energetic particle detector, and a cosmic noise experiment
Alouette 2
Alouette 2 was a Canadian satellite with a sweep-frequency ionospheric sounder, a VLF receiver, an energetic particle experiment, a cosmic noise experiment, and an electrostatic probe. Operations were terminated in 1975.
AMDI
AMPTE UKS
AMPTE UKS was part of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer (AMPTE) mission as a sub satellite of the Ion Release Module (IRM) spacecraft.
Ariel 5
Ariel 5 carried six experiment payloads, including research into X-rays and photons. It discovered V616 Monocerotis, the nearest known black hole to planet Earth, and provided mankind with proof of their existence
Ariel 6
Ariel 6 was the sixth and last satellite in the Ariel series.
BADR-B
BADR-B is a small Earth Observation microsatellite that conducted four major experiments.
BILSAT-1
BILSAT-1 was a Turkish earth observation satellite. It was one of four other satellites in the DMC project constellation which were dedicated to disaster monitoring. BILSAT-1 studied land use, forestry, agriculture and urban development.
BROADWAN
BROADWAN aimed to develop an economically realistic network to provide broadband services for all citizens in Europe and give European industry a lead in next generation wireless solutions.
CCSDS - the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems
CCSDS is a multi-national forum for the development of communications and data systems standards for spaceflight.
Chilbolton Atmospheric Observatory (CAO)
Chilbolton Atmospheric Observatory is an internationally-recognised super-site in atmospheric remote sensing. It provides long-term measurements of clouds, rainfall, boundary-layer processes and aerosols.
Climateprediction.Net
Climateprediction.net is a volunteer computing, climate modelling project.
Cluster II
Cluster 2 is an ESA mission to study the Earth's magnetosphere and consists of four identical spacecraft orbiting in a tetrahedral formation.
Coriolis
Coriolis is a US Department of Defence mission to test new technology that uses multichannel polarimetric radiometry to study wind vectors.
CORONAS-F
CORONAS-F is a Russian solar observatory that measures fluctuations in light intensity, solar radio bursts, the Sun's corona itself, disk emission, solar flares and more.
CRRES (Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite)
CRRES was a NASA project to investigate fields, plasmas and energetic particles within the Earth's magnetosphere. It was specifically designed to withstand intense solar activity and provided data used to prolong the lifetimes of future satellites.
CUTLASS
The CUTLASS radars form part of SuperDARN, an international network of similar radars covering almost 180 degrees longitude in the northern hemisphere and including conjugate stations in the Antarctic.
Double Star Equatorial and Polar
Double Star, a mission made of two satellites, one in a polar orbit and one in an equatorial orbit, studies the effects of the Sun on Earth.
European Incoherent SCATter (EISCAT)
UK EISCAT support is jointly provided by RAL Space and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The project supports UK use of the world-leading EISCAT radars, which measure the upper atmosphere from the mesosphere to the edge of space.
ENVIronmental monitoring SATellite (ENVISAT)
ENVISAT was an ESA environmental remote sensing mission that carried 10 instruments. It took thousands of images of Earth and produced data used to monitor global warming and ozone layer desertification.
EOS-Aqua
EOS-Aqua is part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) with AURA. It collects data on the Earth's water cycle, such as ocean evaporation, clouds, precipitation and ice levels.
EOS-AURA
Aura is giving us insight into the Earth's atmospheric chemistry by analysing trace gases.
ERS-1
ERS-1 was the first in a series of ESA Earth Observation satellites in the European Earth Observation program. ERS-1 primarily monitored ocean and ice levels using all-weather high resolution active microwave imaging.
ERS-2
ERS-2 was the sister satellite to ERS-1 and carried out similar research as well as having an additional sensor for atmospheric ozone research.
ESRO-1A (Aurorae)
ESRO-1A (also known as Aurorae) was launched by the European Space Research Organisation (one of the forerunners of ESA) to study the effects on the polar ionosphere of high-energy charged particles from the sun.
ESRO-1B (Boreas)
ESRO-1B (Boreas) is the twin satellite to ESRO-1A. It conducted 8 experiments that were complimentary to those carried out by 1A.
EUNIS
EUNIS is an extreme ultraviolet solar spectrometer with high efficiency and high spectral resolution. It has nearly 100 times the throughput of the highly successful SERTS payloads that have preceded it.
FedSat
FedSat was an Australian microsatellite for communications, navigation and computer systems.
GIOVE-A
GIOVE-A was the first test for Galileo, the first positioning, navigation and timing system for civil use consisting of a constellation of 24 satellites. GIOVE-A tested critical Galileo instruments and technologies.
Gemini
The Gemini Observatory operates two 8 metre aperture telescopes, one on Mauna Kea, Hawaii and the other on Cerro Pachon Chile.
Ginga
Ginga, or Astro-C, was a Japanese spacecraft that carried three X-ray astronomy experiments. It studied the time variability of X-rays from active galaxies.
Giotto
Giotto was ESA’s first deep-space mission. Its images showed for the first time the shape of a comet nucleus.
Herschel Space Observatory
Herschel was an infrared space observatory covering the wavelength range from 70-700 micrometres and was cooled by 2500 litres of liquid helium. It was the largest single segment telescope launched into space.
Hotbird 7
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope was the first mission in NASA's Great Observatories program. It was a 2.4m telescope that observed visible, near-ultraviolet and near-infrared light.
IMAGE
IMAGE was a NASA MIDEX mission that studied how the Earth's magnetosphere reacted to changes in solar wind. It used neutral atom, ultraviolet, and radio imaging techniques to carry out its mission.
Ionospheric Monitoring Group
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory operates ionosondes at RAL (Chilton) in the UK and at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
IRAS
The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) was the first-ever space telescope to perform a survey of the entire sky at infrared wavelengths. IRAS mapped 96% of the sky four times, at 12, 25, 60 and 100 micrometers discovering more than 300,000 objects.
ISIS 1
ISIS 1 was an ionospheric observatory that conducted several experiments into electron density, plasma resonances, VLF signals, magnetic fields and more.
ISIS 2
ISIS 2 was the twin satellite to ISIS 1. It conducted complimentary experiments to ISIS 1 on VLF frequencies, particle experiments and plasma resonances, among others.
ISO
ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was an astronomical satellite that was operational between November 1995 and May 1998 and operated at wavelengths from 2.5 to 240 microns.
IUE
The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) was an ultraviolet observatory and international facility. Other than ultraviolet spectroscopy, it also it also tracked electron fluxes which would affect its ultraviolet sensor.
JWST
The James Webb Space Telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that will take the place of the Hubble Space Telescope at the end of this decade.
LISA Pathfinder
LISA Pathfinder is the second technology testing satellite for European Space Agency (ESA). In 2016 it successfully tested accurate test-mass position sensing in space, for ESA's future LISA mission to observe gravitational waves.
LTMC - Long Term Measurement Campaign
This long term signal measurement programme intended to improve our knowledge of interference within fixed link systems. It was made up of clusters of links located in climatically diverse regions of the UK.
Maroc - Tubsat
The MAROC-TUBSAT project is a co-operation between CRTS Morocco and the Institute für Luft-und Raumfahrttechnik in Berlin, where the Moroccan side is responsible for payload and launch and the German side for the satellite bus.
Mars Express
Mars Express was an ESA mission to study Mars. It included a lander, Beagle 2, which failed. The Mars Express Orbiter was successful, gathering data on Mars' atmosphere, surface and subsurface.
MiniSat 01
The MINISAT programme aimed to develop a system that will permit performance of space operations at a lower cost and within shorter delays when compared with present programmes.
MSG-1
MSG-1, or Meteosat-8, is one of a series of satellites which sends sharp imagery of Europe, Africa and parts of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean every 15 minutes for meteorological study.
GEostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB)
The GEostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) series of instruments monitor the reflected sunlight and thermal emissions from Earth, to study daily variations and long-term climate changes.
MSG-2
MSG-2, or Meteosat-9, is one of a series is one of a series of satellites which sends sharp imagery of Europe, Africa and parts of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean every 15 minutes for meteorological study.
MSG-3
MSG-3, or Meteosat-10, is one of a series is one of a series of satellites which sends sharp imagery of Europe, Africa and parts of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean every 15 minutes for meteorological study.
MST Radar
The MST radar belongs to a class of atmospheric radars that are able measure profiles of the three-dimensional wind vector on a continuous basis. They also provide information about turbulence, atmospheric structure, and precipitation.
NEODC
The NERC Earth Observation Data Centre is one of six NERC Designated Data Centres. The NEODC Mission - in line with the NERC Data Policy - is to ensure the responsible stewardship and distribution of its own Earth Observation (EO) data.
NEXUS
Nexus was a Normal-Incidence Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph, proposed in response to a NASA SMEX mission call in 2004 and 2007.
Nigeria Sat-1
NigeriaSat-1 is part of a four satellite constellation for disaster monitoring. It studied urban planning and agriculture
NOAA-17
NOAA-17, or NOAA-M, was one in a long line of NOAA polar orbiting meteorological satellites. It helped researchers predict severe weather, such as hurricanes and snow storms, and tracked environmental changes that suggested drought and wildfire conditions
NOZOMI (Planet-B)
NOZOMI was a japanese Mars explorer that studied the interaction between Mars' upper atmosphere and solar wind, Mars' magnetic field and Mars' surface.
OAO-3 (Copernicus)
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 3 (OAO-3) was a collaborative effort between the USA (NASA) and the UK (SERC). It had three X-ray telescopes that measured celestial X-ray sources.
Planck
The Planck mission measured the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), the echo of the Big Bang itself, using sensitive radio receivers operating at extremely low temperatures.
Polar
The Polar satellite was placed in a highly elliptical orbit to gather multi-wavelength images of the Aurora, and to observe the polar magnetosphere. Mission operations were terminated on the 28th of April 2008.
PULSAUR
ROSAT
ROSAT performed an all-sky survey of X-ray sources, finding around 80,000 cosmic sources and a further 6,000 in the extreme UV regime.
Rosetta
Rosetta was an ESA orbiter that rendezvoused with Comet 67P in 2014 after chasing it for 10 years. Rosetta's lander, Philae, landed on the comet. Rosetta studied the environment of the comet, including the organic molecules it contained.
SEDAT
The aim of the Space Environment Database and Analysis Tools (SEDAT) project is to develop a new approach to the engineering analysis of the spacecraft charged-particle environment.
SERTS
SERT stands for Space Electric Rocket Test, a NASA program that began in the 1960s that aimed to prove electric rockets could produce thrust in space via mercury ion exhaust.
SMM
NASA’s dedicated observatory for the study of solar flares using a battery of international instruments observing the Sun in visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths.
SOHO
The Solar & Heliospheric Observatory is a project of international collaboration between ESA and NASA to study the Sun from its deep core to the outer corona and the solar wind. It's orbiting the Lagrange L1 point, providing a continuous view of the Sun.
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
SDO is a NASA mission to observe solar activity and space weather. It studies the Sun's magnetic field and how this magnetic energy propels away from the sun as solar wind, energetic particles and other space weather phenomena.
Solar Orbiter
Solar Orbiter is a mission of collaboration between the ESA and NASA. Its goal is to address the central question of Heliophysics: how does the Sun create and control the heliosphere?
Spacelab 2
NASA's multi-science payload carried aboard Shuttle STS-51-F (Challenger) including the RAL Space CHASE experiment (Coronal Helium Abundance Spacelab Experiment).
Spectrum-X
Spectrum-X
Starlink
Starlink
Atlantic Bird 3/Stellat 5/Eutelsat 5 West A
Eutelsat 5 West A broadcasts satellite television, radio, other digital data and IP services across five continents.
STEP
Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) is a satellite that aims to test the equivalence principle of Einstein's general relativity theory to a sensitivity of 1 part in 10 to the power of 18
STEREO
NASA’s twin spacecraft mission to study the Sun in 3D and the passage of solar-ejected clouds (coronal mass ejections - CMEs) that are directed towards Earth.
Swift
Swift Observatory studies and relays the coordinates of gamma-ray bursts across the Universe. Swift recorded UV light in the aftermath of a gravitational wave event, giving scientists new insights into star collisions.
TELIS
The Terahertz and Sub-mm Limb Sounder (TELIS) is a new state-of-the-art balloon borne atmospheric monitor that will allow enhanced limb sounding of the Earth's atmosphere within the millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelength spectral range.
TopSat
TopSat is a high resolution space camera, developed by RAL Space, which takes images with 2.5m pixels from 600km orbit height.
TRACE
The Transition Region and Coronal Explorer NASA pioneering solar high-resolution imaging mission (forerunner to SDO) developed by Lockheed Martin, Palo Alto, USA, using extreme-UV imaging systems in selected wavelengths to observe the solar corona.
UARS
UARS measured winds and temperatures in the stratosphere as well as the energy input from the Sun. It helped define the role of the upper atmosphere in climate and climate variability.
UK CDHF for STP
The Cluster Coordinated Data Handling Facility is a data centre for Cluster 1 and 2. The primary aim of the UK CDHF is to support the UK STP community, particularly in the area of multi-instrument and multi-spacecraft/mission analysis.
Ariel 1
Ariel-1 was the first British Satellite to ever be launched and the first in the Ariel series.
Ariel 2
Ariel 2, a British satellite, was the first satellite to be used for radio astronomy. It was launched on a Scout X-3 rocket in America by NASA.
Ariel 3
Ariel 3 was the first all-British satellite to be launched. It conducted five experiments, including measuring galactic noise, electron temperatures and oxygen distribution in the Earth's atmosphere.
Ariel 4
Ariel 4 continued the work of previous Ariel satellites, conducting five similar experiments.
UK-DMC
UK-DMC (distaster monitoring constellation) is a British made small satellite and the first in a constellation that provided daily images for disaster monitoring and rapid-response mitigation.
Ulysses
Ulysses was a joint ESA-NASA mission to study the heliosphere and take the first ever measurements of this region.
UoSat-12
UoSat-12, a SSTL built satellite, carried out a number of "next generation" systems to qualify new technology for flight on subsequent missions.
Venus Express
Venus Express investigated the plasma environment and atmosphere of Venus, studying numerous qualities of the planet including gas levels, cloud systems, volcanic and seismic activity and global dynamics.
Viking Sweden
Viking Sweden was Sweden's first national satellite and studied magnetospheric phenomena above the auroral zones, where hot and cold collisionless plasmas interact with each other.
VISTA
The Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) is part of the European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory that observes the southern sky, which it maps systematically.
World Data Centre for Solar-Terrestrial Physics
WDC is based at RAL Space, Harwell, and consists of archives for geophysical data, ionospheric data, solar data and more. Data archives for STEREO, SOHO and TRACE are also held here.
XMM-Newton
XMM-Newton carries three advanced X-ray telescopes. It studies X-rays released during the birth and death of stars and helps us study black holes.
Yohkoh
Yohkoh was a Japanese Institute for Space and Astronautical Sciences mission. The spacecraft was built in Japan and the observing instruments have contributions from the U.S. and the U.K. Yohkoh studied energetic phenomena on the Sun, such as solar flares
Electroplating and electroforming facility
The plating facility provides high quality surface finishing solutions for various ground based and space based RAL Space projects and instruments.
Radio Research
RAL Space conducts research in radio communications, radio systems and radio wave propagation modelling.
Cryogenic Systems Engineering
RAL Space has a specialist capability in cryogenic engineering for space projects.
Planetary, Lunar and Solar Instruments and RAL Space Thermal Engineering Group
Electronics thermal control
Most electronics components must be maintained at around room temperature for them to function reliably.
Thermal Engineering Group fluid systems
As well as pure thermal systems we also analyse systems which include a fluid component.
Multi-layer Insulation
Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) is thermal insulation composed of multiple layers of thin sheets of reflective materials, separated by thin netting spacers.
Assembly Integration and Verification Facility
The AIV Group and the service it provides, is managed and operated by a team of people who use their knowledge and experience, balanced with enthusiasm, to provide customers with a high quality testing service which is both flexible and responsive.
Quality Management
Our experience in the space industry has required us to work to the strict quality standards imposed by ESA and NASA. These high standards have nurtured an outlook which ensures our testing remains within timescales and is of consistent quality.
Clean Rooms
Multi-Layer Insulation Facility
RAL Space operates a multi-layer insulation (MLI) facility that supplies bespoke MLI solutions to customers from across the UK, European and global space sector.
Ral Space Science and Technology Department 2004
D-CIXS instrument
D-CIXS (Demonstration of a Compact Imaging X-ray Spectrometer), built within RAL Space, was an instrument that flew as part of the science payload for ESA's SMART-1 mission to the Moon.
What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
RAL Celebrates 50 Years of Space
SMART-1
SMART-1 was a lunar rover designed to test technologies for future missions, such as a solar power ion drive and deep-space telecommunications system.
Environmental testing for the cryogenic harness on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Environmental Testing for the Cryogenic Harness on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
02_50.pdf
03_50 Professor Peter Willmore - The Ariel programme.pdf
04_50.pdf
06_50.pdf
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11_50.pdf
Prog_RALSpace50th_b.pdf
RAL_Space_2012.pdf
RALSpaceNationalSpaceDevelopmentandTestFacili.pdf
UKEuroChinaworkshop09.pdf
UKEuroChinaworkshop09PT.pdf
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fascination-issue2.pdf
Fascination_Newsletter.pdf
LOFARTranscript200910.pdf
Fascination-Issue3.pdf
MARSCHALS.pdf
HRHDukeofYork_transcript.pdf
PlanManagementSystems_2.pdf
CollisionAvoidance_2.pdf
Agency-Industry-AcademiaPartnerships1.pdf
SpaceOps_Tours_Programme_b.pdf
SpaceOps_a_14062011.pdf
SpaceOps_b_15062011.pdf
SpaceOps_c_15062011.pdf
SpaceOps2011WorkshopRegistrationForm.pdf
SpaceOps2011WorkshopPresentationTitleSubmissi.pdf
Bamford1.pdf
minimag2.pdf
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minimag25.pdf
ParticipantInformationform.pdf
WorkshopQuestionaireform.pdf
ESA_news_article.pdf
Q4AEOOutlineProgramme_1.pdf
Reportofthe7thWorkshop.pdf
ASC_attendees.pdf
Presentation_a.pdf
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AONeill-nceo_china_aug2011.pdf
WANGXingxing-CNSA_for_7th_China_UK.pdf
AShaw-7thUKChinaSpacewkshop_310811.pdf
WANGXiaoyong_1_MappingCamera.pdf
PJanvanLeeuwen-UK-China.pdf
CHUZhongyi-SmallSatelliteFormationFlyingSyste.pdf
JBlower-DynamicDataVisualizationBlower.pdf
FULiping-minituraizedVaccumultravioletionosph.pdf
JRemedios-RL_UL_AQGHG_aug11_final.pdf
WANGXiaoyong_2_SatelliteFlightSystem.pdf
XULijun-lunarExploration1.pdf
ASmith-ChinaWorkshopPenetratorsfinal.pdf
HUZhaohui-MarsPenetrator-YuanYong.pdf
IWright-Ptolemy.pdf
WANGXiaoyong_3_ChineseMarsProbes.pdf
DCullenLMCExoMars.pdf
SGreen2011_MarcoPolo_UK_China_Wkshop.pdf
DONGHaifeng-AtomicMagnetometer--BUAA.pdf
MCaldwell-Opt_Mags_space_01-09-11_c.pdf
ZHANGYuchi-ProgressonatominterferometerinBUAA.pdf
PHargrave-UK-China-2011.pdf
ZHANGShijie-smallsatellitetechnologyResearchA.pdf
CLee-SciSysChina2011.pdf
WANGJindong-Theapplicationofafluxgatemagnetom.pdf
YangGao-UK-ChinaSpaceWorkshop2011.pdf
XIAOWen-Long_working_distance_DHM_forspace_ap.pdf
SRea-7thUKChina.pdf
WANGShuzhi-CSSAR_Space_Science_Cooperation1.pdf
ADelahunty-MIniaturisedSeismometers.pdf
CCastelli-UKSpaceAgency-chinaworkshop2011.pdf
JEndicott-e2vCCDsforEarthObservation7thUKChin.pdf
BGuoxia-STAR-Dundee-SpaceWire1stSept2011.pdf
PNorris-UK-ChinaWorkshopLogica.pdf
AFromberg-SEA_transponders.pdf
DIron-UKviewofspacePPPs.pdf
Jun12_PP_courseBrochure4b.pdf
ASC_Presentation_2.pdf
ASC_Presentation_3a.pdf
ASC_Presentation_4.pdf
ASC_Presentation_6a.pdf
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ASC_Presentation_14.pdf
003_Parker_Appletonconference2013.pdf
004_Magali_Vaissiere.pdf
RAHASC.pdf
006_Michele_Dougherty.pdf
007_Anthony_Lasenby.pdf
GTinetti.pdf
A_Winfield.pdf
C_Mutlow.pdf
015_RoyGibson.pdf
Stuart_Martin.pdf
Whitesides.pdf
UKCOSPAR13thmeetingminutes.pdf
Minutes_of_twelfth_meeting.pdf
Minutes_of_eleventh_meeting.pdf
Minutes_of_tenth_meeting.pdf
Minutes_of_ninth_meeting.pdf
Minutes_of_eigth_meeting.pdf
Minutes_of_seventh_meeting_July_07.pdf
Minutes_of_sixth_meeting_jun_06.pdf
Minutes_of_fifth_meeting_oct_jan06.pdf
Minutes_of_fourth_meeting_march_May05.pdf
Minutes_of_third_meeting_Oct_Nov_04.pdf
Minutes_of_second_meeting_feb_04.pdf
Minutes_of_first_meeting_June_July03.pdf
RALSpace_workshop2014_final.pdf
0RichardHoldaway.pdf
2MagaliVaissiereRALSConference2014-HSGPanel-E.pdf
3Catapult_RALSpaceConfDec2014Final.pdf
4RichardHoldaway.pdf
5RichardPeckham.pdf
6JamesMulroy.pdf
7IsmaelLopez.pdf
8DavidParker.pdf
10ASC2014.pdf
11Gaia.pdf
12IanTaylor-DavidIron.pdf
13Appleton2014anufinal.pdf
15TDS-1presentationforAppletonSpaceConference.pdf
16RALCraigClarkSpaceUKube-1.pdf
17AlanBondRALSpace.pdf
TheSTFCNewtonAgriWorkshopSummary.pdf
Newton_AgriTech_Rapid_Proforma.docx
Newton_AgriTech_Rapid_Response_Guidance1.pdf
ANN+Callforproposalsfinal.pdf
Newton_AgriTech_Network+_Proforma.docx
RAL_Space_R100_Brochure.pdf
SWPDFinalReportWEB.pdf
1CTM-Welcome.pdf
2DavidParker-UKSpaceupdates.pdf
3StuartMartin-Catapult.pdf
4TimJust-Innovationvinvention.pdf
5MagaliVaissiere-ESA.pdf
6ThereseMorettoJorgensen-Cubesats.pdf
7PatrickWood-SSTL.pdf
8SueNelson-Boffinmedia.pdf
9KaiBongs-Sensorsandmetrology.pdf
10DamienWeidman-Lasers.pdf
11AlexValavanis-Terahertzsystems.pdf
12MarkGibbs-UKactivitesinaglobalcontext.pdf
14AlanGabriel-EarlySpectroscopicinnovation.pdf
15JohnRemedios-NERC.pdf
17RolandLeigh-Airqualitymonitoring.pdf
Campusparkingmap-reception.pdf
Appletonprogrammeforwebsitepdffinal.pdf
Appletonparking.pdf
DrChrisMutlow-Welcome.pdf
RossJames-UK-thePlaceforSpace.pdf
AlanBrunstrom.pdf
TimJust-InnovateUK-Simplification.pdf
DrTimBestwick-TheHarwellCampusandtheSpaceClus.pdf
MarkThomas-SABRE.pdf
PaulJerram-ImageSensorsforSpace.pdf
DrSamanthaLavender-HarnessingIncreasingVolume.pdf
DrIanMcCrea-EISCAT-3D.pdf
AlexWhitley-8Minutes.pdf
DonlonCraig.pdf
MickJohnson-NewTechnologiesforFutureEOInstrum.pdf
StuartMartin-To2030andBeyond.pdf
Multi-Layer Insulation Facility
National Satellite Test Facility
Application form for attendance of the UK space sector mission to Singapore Final.docx
Mission to Singapore Application form
Space Sector mission to Singapore 2020 Q&A session.pdf
Singapore space Briefing.pdf
UKSA Singapore mission briefing.pdf
STFC RAL Space Briefing Introduction & Application Process.pdf
Cubesat Development Facility and Operations.pdf
15th Appleton Space Conference Programme
• Prof John Loughhead (Chief Scientific Advisor to BEIS) - Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk Programme (a governmental perspective)
SWIMMR: Project funded by the Strategic Priorities Fund (a perspective from STFC)
Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk (SWIMMR) - A NERC prespective
04-Ian McCrea.pdf
SWIMMR: Project funded by the Strategic Priorities Fund (a perspective from STFC)
RAL Space Highlights 2019
Professor Chris Mutlow - Welcome to the 15th Appleton Space Conference
Alison Stephens - One Million Interactions
Robert Boehme - Europe to the Moon - A Case for Private Space Exploration out of Europe
Craig Donlan - next Generation Microwave Imaging of the Polar Regions
Graham Turnock 2019 Appleton.pdf
RAL SPACE DAY 2019 fraser.pdf
Manju Henry RAL_Space_Appleton_Conference_V3.pdf
Sarah Matthews appleton2019_v2.pdf
ESA Dave Parker Appleton Space19+ debrief.pdf
QKD Qubesat - Mamatha Maheshwarappa ASC2019.pdf
SKA RAL Space 5 Dec2019.pdf
WIA_Europe pres 2019 RAL.pdf
Gillespie RAL Space Conference 2019 FINAL_2.pdf
EthicalRoboticist_RAL_Dec2019.pdf
SWIMMR_overview.pdf
Met_Office_SWIMMR.pdf
SWIMMR_models.pdf
SWIMMR_requirements.pdf
Space_Weather_Architecture.pdf
SWIMMR_STFC_calls.pdf
Science and Engineering Careers Challenge Pack
'Catch that Cloud' first results
Space Weather Competition 2020 Gallery
guideandscoutscienceandengineeringcareerschallenge_profiles.pdf
CareersChallengeCaseStudies.pdf
ASC2020_Anna Hogg_Introducing SENSE The next generation of UK Earth observation leaders.pdf
ASC2020_Chris Mutlow_Welcome.pdf
ASC2020_Graham Turnock_From Lockdown to Launch - Why the future is bright for the UK in space.pdf
ASC2020_Josef Aschbacher_Earth observation - One of the fastest growing space domains.pdf
ASC2020_Karen Olsson-Francis_AstrobiologyOU An introduction.pdf
ASC2020_Anne Grete Straume-Lindner_ESA's Earth observation mission Aeolus the first doppler wind lidar in space.pdf
ASC2020_Christopher Newman_Collaboration and Competition - Governing space in the 2020s.pdf
ASC2020_Early Careers and Skills_all.pdf
ASC2020_Heidi Hammel_Exploration of the Ice Giants.pdf
ASC2020_Helen Brindley_FORUM Understanding how Earth is losing its cool.pdf
ASC2020_Industry and Innovation Panel.pdf
ASC2020_Mark McCaughrean_Once explorers always explorers.pdf
ASC2020_Mark Parrington_Global air quality in 2020 Monitoring the impacts of wildfires and covid-19.pdf
ASC2020_Jim Al-Khalili_The nature of quantum reality and why we should care.pdf
ASC2020_Martin Crook_ JT Cooler Developments at STFC - 2K-30K coolers in support of space.pdf
ASC2020_Nicky Fox_NASA Heliophysics What's new under the Sun.pdf
Science_and_Engineering_Careers_Challenge_VirtualMeetingGuidance.pdf
Make an ISS_materials.pdf
Make a Saturn mobile_materials.pdf
Anatomy of Earth1.pdf
Certificate_Science and Engineering Careers Challenge.pdf
Thermal_Engineering_Activity_STFC_KS3.pdf
Worksheet_Looking_at_Earth_from_space.pdf
Thermal_Engineering_Activity_STFC_KS4.pdf
Appleton Space Conference Programme.pdf
Final_ASC_2021_Programme.pdf
National Satellite Test Facility brochure
RAL-Space-brochure.pdf
RAL Photography consent form
ASC_Programme_2022.pdf
Thermal_Engineering_for_space.pdf
Highlights Report 2022
GSTC 23 UK brochure.pdf
6898 NSTF Brochure 22.06.22.pdf
RAL Space Strategy 2023-2028.pdf
STEM Careers Challenge pack.pdf
Data-protection_ASC2023.pdf
ASC programme 2023_v1.pdf
STEM challenge certificate.pdf
NSTF brochure.pdf
Parking Appleton Conference.jpg
Parking Appleton Conference 2023.png
Highlights Report 2023
ASC speaker bios.pdf
GSTC 2024 UK delegation brochure.pdf
ASC Programme 2024.pdf
Appleton-Speaker-Bios-2024.pdf
RAL Space Highlights 2024
ScienceAtHome_Light.pdf