Six space related start-up businesses have been given a boost thanks to a pioneering new innovation voucher scheme at Westcott.

Astron Systems, Naicker Scientific, Coates Electronics, Longbow Space Technologies, SAWiE and Rocket Engineering Limited have all joined the Westcott Launchpad Programme aimed at encouraging start-up, SME and large businesses to carry out testing and R&D to help them establish or expand at Westcott Venture Park in Buckinghamshire.

The businesses have been awarded a total of £120,000* after being accepted onto the scheme, which will enable them to receive support and access to a range of industry expertise and facilities at Westcott, through delivery partners.

Lolan Naicker, Technical Director, Naicker Scientific Ltd, said: “We are developing a water electrolysis subsystem which will allow on-demand conversion of easily storable water into hydrogen and oxygen propellants for a spacecraft propulsion system. To help achieve this we are building a full-scale prototype to perform integrated hot-fire testing with a thruster under operating conditions – producing valuable data to evolve our design.

“The Westcott Launchpad Programme provides an opportunity to work alongside businesses at the Venture Park to raise the Technology Readiness Level of our product. We hope to benefit from industry networking opportunities and business development support also available to us as participants in the programme.”

Westcott Launchpad Programme, managed by Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone and Buckinghamshire Council, supported by Satellite Applications Catapult and partners, is a new voucher scheme to support innovation, new products and services at Westcott that will drive the growth of the space sector.

The programme helps businesses to develop and grow by offering access to, and the utilisation of, the facilities, equipment and expertise of the Satellite Application Catapult, Protolaunch, Plastron, Airborne Engineering and European Astrotech at Westcott. Vouchers of up to £25,000 are available to access (but not limited to):

  • Rocket propulsion systems testing and prototyping,
  • Drone testing and development, alongside autonomous systems,
  • Satellite and ground-based communications expertise and testing,
  • In-orbit, Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) and robotics,
  • Associated workspace and meeting space,
  • Access to the Westcott Cluster through networks and peer to peer workshops.

Kieran Jones-Tett, Chief Operating Officer, Astron Systems Ltd, said: “Astron Systems are bringing reusable rockets to the small scale to transform small satellite launch and return services, offering faster, more flexible, and more affordable services.

“The Westcott Launchpad funding is enabling us to carry out cryogenic liquid methane/ oxygen testing, taking advantages of the facilities owned and operated by Airborne Engineering. The successful test campaign validated cryogenic ignition – a key design requirement, as well as reducing risks for future testing campaigns between ourselves and Airborne.”

The Launchpad programme aims to support wider communications around Westcott and the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone and recognise the opportunity for development to build on global knowledge economy sector strengths in Buckinghamshire, and the potential for inward investment and a sub-regional role.

Westcott is the home of UK rocket propulsion development and testing. It is also home to a growing commercial space and advanced engineering cluster with a wide range of complementary strengths and is one of the most supportive and flexible locations for companies to establish and grow.

There is significant investment into the site’s future from the Westcott Venture Park, Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone, and partners (UKSA and private sector), with the Westcott Space Hub being the next element of that – putting Westcott at the centre of the UK’s space sector.

For more information on the Westcott Launchpad programme, please visit: www.bucksez.co.uk/westcott-launchpad-programme

*All applicants are match-funding the grant they receive.

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