Space industry boosted by Oxfordshire's nuclear robotic research

By Stephen Emerson

6 December 2022

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Robots developed in Oxfordshire are capable of advanced capabilities in both nuclear and extra terrestrial environments according to recent tests.

The UK Atomic and Energy Authority in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult have demonstrated the tech, developed for fusion energy research and maintenance, is also capable of operating in orbit.

The technology has been developed and tested at UKAEA’s Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) robotics centre in Culham, Oxfordshire.

The tests included building a replica section of a spacecraft provided by Satellite Applications Catapult at RACE. 

Demonstrations were carried out in the Automated Inspection and Maintenance Test Unit (AIM-TU), a highly modular robot cell for research and development containing two UR10e (Universal Robotics) robots with 1.3 metre reach.  

This enhances potential economic spill over of fusion research beyond the sector itself, such as the servicing of spacecraft in orbit.

Dr Indira Nagesh, Principal Engineer of UKAEA, said of the network spillover: “The rewards for recreating the ultimate fusion energy source here on Earth are enormous, with the potential for near limitless power for generations to come. Right now, we’re proving that our technology has lots more immediate benefits in adjacent sectors.  

 “Identifying technical challenges and solving them for in-orbit servicing and repair is exciting. It will greatly help to improve the longevity of spacecraft and reduce space litter.” 

Jeremy Hadall, Robotics Development Lead at the Catapult, said: “Improving our ability to perform close-proximity operations in orbit with advanced robotics, will unlock a range of commercial opportunities in space including debris removal, spacecraft servicing, and even the manufacture of large structures in orbit. This trial moves the space industry one step closer to realising these exciting possibilities.”

Hadall continued: “While the space industry has assembled structures and serviced them in the past, it has been extremely costly and required national agencies to lead. However, there is a significant commercial requirement to remove these barriers using robotics as we expand our reach beyond Earth.”  

“The demonstrations have shown how fusion energy technologies can support faster and safer operations,” added Mr Hadall.

“We’re pleased to be working with UKAEA on this collaboration and envisage the relationship to continue as both organisations look to spur innovation by addressing common challenges,” he concluded.  

Watch a video about the demo here

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.