Close up of instrumentation at the Small Satellite Calibration Facility. Credit: STFC RAL Space
The Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) RAL Space and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have combined expertise to build a new national centre – the Small Satellite Calibration Facility – for testing and calibrating instruments on small, cube, and nano satellites.
In the era of 'new space', a growing number of start-ups and SMEs are venturing into the development of small satellite instruments for diverse Earth observation (EO) applications. Calibrating sensors for these applications is vital to ensure the accuracy and utility of data collected in orbit.
While large satellite missions and programmes might invest in bespoke calibration solutions, this would present a significant barrier for smaller companies, many of which lack the capacity, budget or expertise to develop their own calibration testing facilities.
Supported by experts from RAL Space and NPL, the Small Satellite Calibration Facility is based among RAL Space's existing facilities on Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, already a bustling campus of over 100 local and international space organisations,
This new facility is set to empower start-ups and SMEs by providing access to world-leading calibration services at short notice and a fraction of the cost. This initiative not only lowers the barrier to entry for aspiring space companies but also gives them a competitive edge through enhanced data quality and more reliable missions.