Programme
Disruptive Space Technology
The Disruptive Space Technology Programme identifies and develops emerging technologies that could fundamentally change how space missions are delivered and what they can achieve. Rather than focusing only on incremental improvements, the programme looks for ideas with the potential to create entirely new applications or significantly alter existing approaches. By understanding the drivers behind commercial, scientific and societal uses of space technology, the programme identifies technologies with the greatest disruptive potential and builds demonstrations of their capability and usability to accelerate adoption in space applications.
Programme Aims
Delivered by a team with expertise across both scientific and engineering processes, the programme works closely with inventors, users and investors across civil and commercial domains to move promising technologies towards practical use.
The programme aims to identify and develop technologies that can:
- Enable the next scientific breakthroughs through new measurement and sensing capabilities
- Create new applications in sensing and communication that maximise commercial and societal benefit
- Provide systems whose utility, cost and robustness can enhance UK security and resilience
- Support collaboration and integration with trusted international partners
Our worktreams
Small demonstrator development
Our team has developed a blueprint for a highly capable In-Orbit Technology demonstrator that can be re-used for communications and sensing missions.
Quantum communication demonstrations
Through the development of missions such as SpeQtre and SPOQC, we have enabled a rapid, affordable route to space to demonstrate quantum communications on an international scale - building knowledge which will inform future applications.
Photonics design and test
We have developed test strategies for discrete photonics components down to integrated photonics chips and used the knowledge we’ve acquired to inform and develop design rules.
Innovative EO instrumentation
Supporting the development of several instrument breadboards, an EO instrument programme was run to look at the additionality that could be provided by constellations of small satellites with publicly accessible data sources.
Next generation astronomical observations
We have developed test strategies for discrete photonics components down to integrated photonics chips and used the knowledge we’ve acquired to inform and develop design rules.
Case Study Highlight
SpeQtre
A collaboration between researchers in the UK and Singapore to build and fly a cubesat that can demonstrate transfer of quantum information. RAL Space acted as mission and systems lead, managing the satellite and providing the optics and photonics systems, along with the electronics control and data handling.
The mission has taken a radically different approach from traditional space projects, combining off-the-shelf products with cutting-edge technology through an experimental development process. This has enabled SpeQtre to progress from concept to orbit more quickly and at lower cost than comparable missions.
