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Technology is driving a fundamental change in the space industry.  Old space is the activity of large rockets placing large satellites into geosynchronous orbit.  This activity was undertaken by governments or large multinational `prime' defence contractors.  The cost per launch was in the 100's of millions of USD and the payload was designed to operate for over a decade.  New space is the result of technology which has reduced the size of modern satellites down to smaller than a loaf of bread.  Modern cubsats are 10cm x 10cm x 10cm.  They operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and are designed to fall out of orbit in 2 to 4 years, by which time, the satellites have become obsolete.  The satellites use much smaller rockets to achieve orbit, and as a result, the launches require less supporting infrastructure.  New space is managed and funded by private enterprise, they generally don't have access to government funds and work in a fiscally lean environment.

The design requirements for large government launch facilities are well understood and have been developed since the early 1940's.  New space is novel and subject to a large variance in requirements with little by way of standards and guidelines.  The significant difference in vehicle size between old space and new space is the main driving factor in the differing infrastructure requirements.  There are opportunities for cost reduction, material use reduction as well as increased options for launch sites.  This must be balanced against the risks to staff, the vehicle, the surrounding infrastructure and people outside the facility.  The study will use qualitative and quantitative analysis of the difference between `new space' and `old space' in respect of infrastructure requirements.  How they differ, why they differ and how those differences impact on the design of future `new space' launch infrastructure.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.