With more than more than 35 years of experience in the development of scientific CCD camera systems for space science, Earth observation, planetary exploration and ground-based astronomy, Nick leads leads Research, Technology and Innovation at RAL Space. After being awarded a doctorate from the University of Durham for the development of CCD astronomical instrumentation, Nick spent six years at the Royal Greenwich Observatory before transferring to RAL’s Space Science Department in 1989. Nick is a Research Council Individual Merit Technologist and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2013. He leads a team specialising in the system design, research and delivery of electro-optics instrumentation.
Technology and innovation
We help transform promising ideas into mission‑ready technologies. Working with developers, users, and partners across the space ecosystem, we identify innovative solutions to complex challenges and assess their impact. Our teams deliver concept studies, analyse emerging technologies, and provide evidence to support UK involvement in future missions, collaborations, and supply‑chain development.
Why work with us?
We develop novel concepts and cutting-edge technology that enables the delivery of scientific impact and societal value
We participate in and support early-stage innovation, working with partners to mature ideas with confidence. Our collaborations connect innovators with new opportunities, justify UK participation in international science missions, and enable strategic partnerships that create long‑term societal, scientific, and commercial value.
Concept demonstrations and mission studies
We assess early‑stage ideas, explore mission applicability, and provide evidence to support investment and UK involvement.
Technology maturation and demonstration
We guide technologies through design, integration, testing and demonstration to increase technical readiness and reduce development risk.
Prototype design and development
We develop and refine prototypes, helping teams validate performance and prepare technologies for exploitation or mission delivery.
Programmes committed to the development and demonstration of advanced technologies
Our work in action
RAL Space delivers innovation through novel technology development, strong collaborative relationships, and the combined strength of scientific and engineering expertise.
Decades of ASIC development for solar missions
From SOHO to PUNCH, RAL Space shows how long‑term investment in camera‑electronics research delivers reliable, radiation‑tolerant imaging systems, building flight heritage and supporting new solar science and space‑weather missions.
Revolutionary weather forecasting technology: HyMS
Working with Spire Global, RAL Space has helped mature the compact HyMS sensor from development to orbit, demonstrating how early‑stage innovation can improve the accuracy and timeliness of global weather forecasting.
SpeQtre: A new approach to space technology
Through SpeQtre, RAL Space supports rapid, collaborative mission development to demonstrate quantum communications from a small satellite, helping to advance secure global communications and future space capability.
Engineering expertise behind our technology innovation
We bring together deep, in‑house engineering and scientific expertise to develop and mature new ideas into credible mission solutions.
Systems engineering
Shaping early concepts, translating scientific drivers into technical approaches, and ensure emerging technologies are developed with a clear mission context and pathway to adoption – the Systems Engineering team supports ideas and concepts to progress towards validated technologies that are ready to be defined, designed and delivered within mission programmes.
Optical systems engineering
Experts in the development of new optical architectures, imaging and spectroscopic concepts, and innovative calibration approaches for challenging science and Earth observation applications. The team advises on optical geometries and technology choices and supports the development of optical ground-test facilities.
Mechanical engineering
Supporting the development of technologies, the mechanical engineering team provide 3D-CAD software to create and iterate mechanical designs, use finite element models to assess structural designs, and support manufacturing of prototypes.
Thermal engineering
Supporting technological innovations through research and development of small-scale thermal control systems, electronics thermal management, novel insulation designs and test methodologies. The exploitation and transfer of this knowledge supports concept and project delivery, ensuring demanding performance in extreme environments.
Electronics engineering
Developing advanced electronics systems, designing detector readouts, control electronics, signal processing. They are also renowned for their design in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for specialised, radiation tolerant electronics.
Software engineering
Our software engineering experts explore new data processing concepts, onboard and ground‑based algorithms, and techniques that future missions will depend on for scientific return.
Specialist production and manufacturing
Supporting the realisation of breadboards, prototypes and early hardware demonstrators, ensuring innovative designs are grounded in practical production methods.
Work with us to develop your technology
Get in touch with our team to find out more about how we can support your technological developments.
