Two huge vacuum testing chambers being built by Pulsar Fusion in Oxfordshire are a major leap forward for the UK space industry, experts have claimed.
The 3 x 5m (10 x 16ft) chambers will allow satellites to be tested in space-like conditions on the ground and are scheduled for completion in May.
UK-based space propulsion company Pulsar Fusion is installing the two massive vacuum chambers at its headquarters in Bletchley, Oxfordshire. Pulsar plans to test its electric in-space propulsion system in the chambers and hire out the chambers. Testing slots are available and already in demand from UK and international partners, said the company.
The environmental chambers are powered by cryogenic pumps and can achieve ultra-high vacuums to mimic the harsh conditions of space and test large-scale in-space propulsion systems.
Pulsar successfully tested its 10kW plasma engine last year. Hall Effect Thrusters are used for attitude control, precision maneuvers, and low-thrust operations in space in satellites and other spacecraft.
That test was limited to 10 hours due to a lack of suitable facilities. The new chambers will enable continuous testing of entire satellites and extend the run time of the company’s 5kW and 10kW engines to thousands of hours.
Dr. James Lambert, Head of Operations at Pulsar Fusion said, “Our 10kW engine test showed what’s possible, now we can push our tech to its limits with thousands of hours of testing. This is about proving we can go the distance, literally and figuratively.”
“Britain has the talent and the tech, but we’ve been held back by infrastructure,” said Richard Dinan, CEO of Pulsar Fusion. “We’re building the tools to test bigger, bolder satellites right here in Bletchley, and that means jobs, innovation, and a shot at leading the global space race.”
The chambers are the largest of their kind in the UK and will support Pulsar’s ambition to power the next generation of satellites with clean, high-performance electric propulsion.
The environmental chambers’ capability to simulate space’s frigid vacuum for extended periods will help to ensure satellites can withstand years in orbit.
Pulsar Fusion research engineer and PhD student Bilge Kacmaz said, “The new super chambers at Pulsar represent a significant leap forward for our engine development capabilities.
“We could not test bigger engines anywhere in the UK up until now which is a shame. This is a new opportunity for Pulsar and the UK, positioning us at the forefront of space innovation and solidifying the UK’s role as a global leader in innovative space technologies.”
