The UK space industry is poised to prosper with the opening an an electric propulsion lab in the South of England. Here’s how this bold new facility will deliver transformative milestones to the sector. Announced by Space Minister Liz Lloyd, this brand new state-of-the-art facility is intended to develop the UK’s testing capabilities for advanced electric propulsion systems. The lab has won overall investment of £3.8 million, including funding from the UK Space Agency. It is designed to benefit a diverse range of users, including start-ups, legacy aerospace enterprises, and university-based researchers.
The lab is ideally positioned within the South of England. It will serve as a unique proving ground for various applications to test and develop electric propulsion technology. This initiative focuses investment to open up new opportunities. It encourages the type of collaboration and discovery that leads to industry disruption. The lab will be primarily used by UK companies, stimulating innovation and accelerating new applied research in the space tech sector.
Dr. Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, emphasized the importance of such facilities, stating that it is a “fantastic example of how targeted investment can deliver real impact.” This is a sentiment that rings true with the Department’s overall aim of improving the UK’s competitive position in the global space sector.
Magdrive, one of the primary current users of the lab, will use its resources space to accelerate the development of electric propulsion technologies. Mark Stokes, co-founder and CEO of Magdrive, highlighted the potential of the lab to “create new opportunities for collaboration and discovery” within the space community.
Liz Lloyd reinforced these aspirations, noting that the DEEP Lab is “shaping the future of how we operate in space” and ensuring that “UK innovators can lead the way.” She further stated, “By opening its doors to the wider space community, the DEEP Lab will accelerate the pace of discovery and help cement the UK’s reputation as a global leader in space technology.”
The opening of this new lab is an indicator of the UK’s ambition to be at the forefront of aerospace engineering and research. It is expected to attract talent and investment, ultimately positioning the UK as a hub for innovation in electric propulsion systems.