A new capability for vacuum testing of chemical space propulsion thrusters. Funded and owned by the UK Space Agency as part of our mission to inspire and lead the UK in space.
Located at Westcott Venture Park near Aylesbury in the English countryside, the open-access test facility for thrusters operates in the range of 100N to 1,500N is fully instrumented, with a thrust stand and thermal cameras alongside flow and temperature measurements. A dedicated and experienced testing team ensures all the operational aspects are taken care of, with propellant analysis available on-site providing complete peace of mind.
Backed by a £4 million investment by the UK Space Agency, the NSPTF builds on extensive rocket testing heritage in the UK to deliver a unique capability. The facility is open and ready to undertake development, qualification, and acceptance test programmes for chemical thrusters.
For more information and to book a testing slot, please contact us at: nsptf@stfc.ac.uk
UK NSPTF. Credit: STFC RAL Space
Multiple testing capabilities
- 3 high altitude horizontal chemical rocket test facilities in one location:
- Access to facility includes:
- Propellant management & conditioning
- Instrumented thrust stand with full data acquisition
- Dedicated and experienced test operators
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Development, qualification & acceptance testing- Monopropellant and bipropellant capability:
- Reaction control system thrusters
- Attitude control system thrusters
- Apogee engines
- Propellant compatibility:
- Hydrazine
- MonoMethylHydrazine (MMH)
- Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON3)
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Dedicated customer room- Real-time data relay
- Video conference capability
- WiFi access
- Working space
- Basic welfare amenities
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Customer room at the NSPTF. Credit: STFC RAL Space |
Open Access Facility
Testing slots brokered through STFC. Contact us at:
nsptf@stfc.ac.ukthe National Space Propulsion Test Facility is owned by the
UK Space Agency, managed by
STFC, and operated by Nammo.
