Centres of excellence
The University of Dundee
University of Dundee developed the PANGU (Planet and Asteroid Natural-scene Generation Utility) which is being used by the ExoMars Rover Team at Astrium UK to create image processing software for rover navigation.
The University has also designed the ESA FEIC (European Space Agency Feature Extraction and tracking Integrated Circuit) image processing chip used on the ESA NPAL (European Space Agency Navigation for Planetary Approach and Landing) camera. This device provides high-performance image processing functions targeted at planetary vehicle navigation.
Dundee specialise in spacecraft onboard data-handling and processing which includes work on SpaceWire onboard networks and instrument processing - the Space Technology Centre was a leader in the development of the SpaceWire standard.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh's System Level Integration Group conducts focused research into low power, highly robust, highly reliable miniaturised devices for use in space industries.
The Systems Level Integration group has partnerships with agencies including NASA and the European and Japanese Space Agencies.
The University hosts the Institute for Integrated Micro & Nano Systems which brings together research work in areas such as integrated circuit design, micro fabrication, MEMS and energy scavenging sensors. Additional industry-focused research includes low power system on a chip, novel structures on silicon and micro displays.
The Institute’s facilities include a substantial design and test resource as well as a comprehensive silicon and MEMS fabrication capability at its Scottish Microelectronics Centre.
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow boasts a range of research activity in diverse areas including deployable solar sails for CubeSat’s as well as significant expertise in the field of space webs and momentum exchange tethers - a future propulsion technology identified by the European Space Agency.
The University’s Institute of Gravitational Research focuses on the design and construction of picometre-stable laser interferometers - currently being applied to the high profile European Space Agency LISA Pathfinder mission.
Additional niche technology is the hydroxide caralysis bonding of optical components with micro accuracy to form quasimonolithic optical assemblies.
The Space Advanced Research Team is also internationally recognised for high profile research on advanced propulsion, trajectory and mission analysis.
University of Strathclyde
The Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory at the University of Strathclyde undertakes frontier research on visionary space systems through a £2M research portfolio funded by a range of partners including the European Research Council, the European Space Agency and the UK space industry.
The 25 strong Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory is delivering radically new approaches to space-systems engineering which underpins new space-derived products and services for space science, telecommunications, earth observation and navigation.
Key capabilities include spacecraft dynamics and control, end-to-end mission design, optimisation, software and simulation and a growing capability in microspacecraft systems. The laboratory has strong links to wider institutional capabilities in hypersonics, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, deployable structures and mission-risk management.