The Higgs Centre for Innovation is relaunching its Space Testing Facility after upgrading its capabilities with new and clean rooms and advanced testing equipment.
Following nine months of renovations and over £400,000 investment via the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the Higgs’ space testing facility is reopening for business.
The upgrade is set to further enable the site to support early-stage tech start-ups and space SMEs as they begin their journey. Providing access to cutting edge equipment, specialist advice and guidance, and technical expertise to qualify space hardware.
Increased testing capabilities
The main driver for the renovations was to the make the facilities more accessible to a wider base of technology SMEs and space companies. To help meet the needs of the rapidly growing UK space sector, with more than 180 space companies located in Scotland.
This includes offering more equipment capable of performing a greater range of environmental testing. For example, for small satellites or other spacecraft, checking the reliability of technology destined for orbit well in advance of launch. The offering now includes vibration, thermal, vacuum, optical, SpaceWire, electromagnetic compatibility and radio frequency testing.
The new facilities were designed to specifications set by STFC and UK ATC. Ensuring companies can test their products and technologies to the exacting standards set by NASA, ESA, various rocket launch providers and other partners.
STFC’s Dr Julian Dines, head of innovation at the Higgs Centre, said: “After nine months of hard work we are thrilled to throw open our doors once again and invite companies to access our bigger and better range of dedicated space testing facilities at the Higgs Centre.
“This upgrade means an even broader range of space testing can now take place on site here in Edinburgh, increasing the reliability of satellites in orbit. We look forward to supporting the further expansion of the burgeoning space sector in Scotland – particularly as we approach the next phase in the sector’s development with space launch from Scotland.”
Source: DIGIT