Lift off for Snowdonia space satellites project
SATELLITES could soon be launched from Llanbedr in a move that would put Snowdonia at the forefront of the UK’s space capabilities – and create nearly 100 jobs
The proposed Vertical Small Satellite Launch project is a collaboration between Snowdonia Aerospace Centre – formerly the MoD’s Llandedr airfield – and operators B2Space.
Supported by QinetiQ and the Welsh Government, it aims to establish domestic launch capabilities for the small and micro satellite market.
As many as 3,000 micro-satellites are predicted to require a launch between 2017 and 2022.
The number of micro-satellite operators is rapidly growing.
The global market, is already worth $2.22bn, and is expected to reach $5.31bn by 2021.
Valentin Canales, co-founder and technical director of Bristol-based B2Space, said: “There is compelling evidence that the industry needs small launch vehicles.
“We want to be the first company to provide consistent and reliable lowcost access for small satellites.
“Many more companies could soon be able to afford to launch satellites in to space at a much-reduced rate through our project.
“There are several reasons why they might want to, for example, tracking changes in the environment or the coastline, provide communications to remote areas or support natural disasters management.
“Providing low-cost space access could mean that we use space in a way that hasn’t been considered before.”
The partnership is bidding for grants of up to £10m to develop low-cost space access from the UK, having already passed the first stage, and presented to a panel of industry experts from the UK Space Agency last month.
B2Space is also committed to relocating the business to Llanbedr if the bid is successful.
The venture would provide an affordable and flexible launching system for satellites under 150kg into low earth orbit.
The system comprises of a stratospheric balloon with a self-operative platform from which the launcher is deployed. A three-stage rocket will then deliver the satellites precisely to the required orbits.
Mr Canales continued: “Wales is already a centre of excellence for aerospace manufacturing and has the physical and intellectual infrastructure to support the growing space market.
“We expect to subcontract the structural components, as well as equipment and mechanisms, which will bring many opportunities to the wider supply chain.
“Current market estimations expect to achieve 30 launches per year by 2022, giving a yearly spend of around £60m a year in Wales and for the UK supply chain.”
B2Space said the plan was to create significant numbers of new jobs.
Mr Canales continued: “By 2022, based on 30 launches per year, we expect the projected workforce to be in the region of 93.
“This is the number of direct jobs we anticipate will be created by B2Space, but the number of indirect jobs created could be up to 10 times higher, for example jobs created by suppliers, new companies, housing in the area, catering and so on.”
John Idris Jones, chair of Snowdonia Enterprise Zone, said: “There is significant growth in this emerging market and this is an opportunity to grow UK capability in the region.
“The project has the potential to attract technology, research, and investment from around the world.
The development means lots of opportunities for the north Wales supply chain and provide a real boost to the wider Wales Space sector.
The benefits are important in terms of job creation, linking to our academic institutions and potential economic impact.
“We also see strong cross border synergies with the Northern Powerhouse initiative.
“We are delighted that B2Space have chosen the Enterprise Zone at Llanbedr as their operating base.”
Lee Paul, chief execuitve at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, added: “Our partnership with B2Space will provide a low-cost, sustainable offering by customising individual customer requirements.
“This is in contrast to the current market in which users and manufacturers are restricted by bigger providers working as part of a larger rocket launch operations outside the UK.”