RAL Space is an integral part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council and is the space hub for UK Research and Innovation, supporting its mission to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.
RAL Space is an integral part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC, https://stfc.ukri.org/) and is the space hub for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI, https://www.ukri.org/), supporting its mission to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. RAL Space has over 50 years of experience and expertise in space programmes. Our experts work throughout the lifecycle of space missions. From leading concept studies for future missions; developing bespoke, innovative scientific instrumentation; providing space test and ground-based facilities; operating ground-stations to processing and analysing data. We work with UK and overseas agencies, universities and industrial companies on space and ground based space projects. Our unique position between industry and academia enables us to strengthen the UK space community. We do this through:
– scientific research
– technology development
– providing cutting edge facilities
– strategic advice to external partners
We employ more than 260 highly skilled staff in the heart of the Harwell Space Cluster and at the Chilbolton Observatory. Our main interest in Quantum Technologies in space is to raise the technology readiness level of the systems and subsystems that underpin the relevant quantum devices to enable future science and commercial missions. We are currently involved, together with partners in academia and industry, in the development of subsystems suitable for the deployment of Cold Atoms and QKD payloads into space.