Funding awarded for sustainable space technologies

The £20m Aerospace UP initiative was established to assist small companies develop new solutions to making aviation greener.

Three companies are to receive funding to progress a satellite de-orbiting solution, an alternative to metal propulsion tanks, and technology to monitor, detect and analyse more complex particulates.

Space Resources Laboratory’s Project Aryabhat is developing a propulsion system that consists of a thruster, fuel tank and avionics control system that can be fitted into a satellite and deliver de-orbiting capabilities and minimising the remains left in orbit at the end of the spacecraft’s life cycle.

Grantham-based Holscot Fluropolymers Ltd is producing FEP bladders to line nano, micro and small satellite propulsion tanks. The company’s FEP bladders - a lighter and compatible alternative to metal tanks - are potentially re-fillable and re-usable in orbit, which can help minimise waste in low orbit space.

XCAM is developing a device that allows its prototype Particulate Fall Out (PFO) monitor to detect and analyse more complex particulates. The new monitor from the Northampton-based company will include the capability to use neural networks for analysis in space that will eventually minimise the limitations inherent to downlinking data to Earth.