A Canadian space and aerospace company has signed a lease for a testing facility at Spaceport Cornwall.
Space Engine Systems' move hopes to bring the next generation of propulsion technologies to Cornwall. The company is developing a lightweight, reusable, multi-fuel propulsion system with the aim of "maximising engine performance for space and high speed flight".
Building on the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations, the partnership provides a facility for Space Engine Systems to test its reusable, horizontal take-off and landing vehicles.
The HELLO-1X demonstrator vehicle is designed to test Space Engine Systems’ hypersonic technology at scale. Leading the way for the development of the HELLO-1 and HELLO-2 spaceplanes, which will be capable of point-to-point hypersonic and suborbital travel, and payload delivery to orbit.
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This year has already been a busy one for the Newquay-based Spaceport with its first launch in January with Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit that ended in failure when the rocket suffered an "anomaly", and the opening of its Space Systems Operations Facility in April.
Earlier this month Spaceport Cornwall's head Melissa Quinn announced that she would be stepping down at the end of the month. She has not only been involved in the early stages of the enterprise, providing support for the UK Space Agency bid, she oversaw the first ever space launch from UK soil.
Having already secured a partnership with Sierra Space, the agreement with Space Engine Systems "further cements Cornwall’s place as a key player in the future of the space and aerospace industries".
Ross Hulbert, business development manager, Spaceport Cornwall: "We are really excited to welcome Pradeep and the Space Engine Systems team to Cornwall. The company is developing cutting edge technology and from the very first meeting displayed a determination to collaborate with what we are doing in Cornwall. We look forward to supporting their growth and celebrating their future success.”
Pradeep Dass, president and chief technical officer, Space Engine Systems commented: "We have been working on this joint partnership with Cornwall for quite some time. It is the champions at Cornwall that have made this happen. Space Engine Systems is developing the lightest, reusable, multi-fuel propulsion system, and reusable, horizontal take-off and landing vehicles. These space planes will utilise both air-breathing and rocket propulsion during ascent then glide back to Earth. Our HELLO-1 and HELLO-2 space planes will be capable of point to point transportation, suborbital-return, and payload delivery to LEO at the lowest cost per kilogram. In addition to this, HELLO-2 will be capable of providing payload delivery to the lunar surface.”
Samantha O’Dwyer, managing director, Cornwall Airport Newquay added: “We are delighted to welcome Space Engine Systems, a renowned leader in the field of aerospace technology, to Cornwall Airport Newquay. Space Engine Systems’ decision to establish their presence at our airport marks a significant step forward in our efforts to create a commercially sustainable airport for Cornwall. Space Engine Systems’ innovative solutions in space engineering align perfectly with our strategy of developing a destination for aerospace related businesses.”
Space Engine Systems were advised by law firm Foot Anstey.
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