Astraius Ltd and Spirit AeroSystems have formed a partnership to enhance the UK’s space sector. The collaboration between the two companies aims to advance and accelerate the components and key processes required for the Astraius horizontal launch platform. The partnership is expected to provide the UK with a competitive edge in the growing satellite launch market. By leveraging the accessibility of C-17 transport aircraft, Astraius’ affordable horizontal launch solution will remove the reliance on individually modified aircraft and increase responsiveness. The UK government has made orbital launch a key priority, with the National Space Strategy outlining plans to secure an increased portion of a global space economy expected to be worth £490bn by 2030. The collaboration is expected to bring together UK engineering excellence with proven horizontal launch technology.
Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius Join Forces to Boost UK’s Satellite Launch Capabilities
In a bid to improve future satellite launch capabilities, Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius Ltd have teamed up to enhance Prestwick Spaceport’s space operations. The two companies recently held a signing ceremony during a visit by Ivan McKee, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise.
Prestwick Spaceport, a joint venture between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council, is aiming to become Europe’s leading location for small satellite launches using an air-launch method. This technique involves launching a rocket from an aircraft that has flown out to an ideal location over the ocean.
Both Spirit and Astraius, located within Prestwick’s developing space cluster, are working to accelerate the components and key processes necessary for the Astraius horizontal launch platform. The UK government has made orbital launch a key priority, with the National Space Strategy detailing plans to secure an increased portion of a global space economy predicted to be worth £490bn by 2030. In the UK, the space sector already employs more than 45,000 people, with Scotland accounting for one-fifth of that figure.
Scott McLarty, Spirit Senior Vice President of Airbus and Regional/Business Jet Programs, believes that Spirit’s sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland are well placed to support and develop a robust and sustainable space sector. According to him, Spirit is positioned to create new skills and technologies that will contribute to the UK’s space sector resilience and supply chain and support high-value manufacturing regional hubs. The companies are exploring opportunities to expand the UK space sector by designing, manufacturing, integrating, and testing aerostructures for launch activities.
The collaboration between Spirit and Astraius is expected to provide the UK with a competitive edge in the growing satellite launch market. The companies’ efforts to improve Prestwick Spaceport’s space operations have the potential to position the UK as a major player in the satellite launch industry.
Astraius and Spirit AeroSystems Partner to Develop Innovative Horizontal Launch Solution
Astraius Ltd has teamed up with Spirit AeroSystems to enhance its innovative horizontal launch solution. The company’s affordable solution leverages the accessibility of C-17 transport aircraft, allowing for a more responsive and effective approach to space launch operations. The partnership between the two companies is expected to provide a major boost to the UK’s space sector and its ambitions to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030.
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a recent visit to Prestwick Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise, Ivan McKee. Astraius’ Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Seymour, believes that the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two companies. He expressed his confidence in Spirit AeroSystems’ advanced manufacturing expertise and world-class facilities, which he believes can significantly bolster Astraius’ development roadmap.
Prestwick Spaceport, a joint venture between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council, is Scotland’s largest aerospace cluster. The signing of the MoU between Spirit and Astraius is expected to further strengthen the space ecosystem developing around Prestwick Spaceport.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the U.K. Space Agency, Ian Annett, welcomed the partnership between Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius. He believes that it brings Astraius another step closer towards conducting a launch from the UK. Developing orbital launch capabilities is expected to help the space sector generate growth across science and engineering supply chains, catalyse investment, create new jobs and career paths, and inspire the next generation of space professionals all over the UK.
The collaboration between Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius is further testament to the proactive and vibrant space ecosystem developing around Prestwick Spaceport. With both companies located in Prestwick, the partnership between them is expected to bring together UK engineering excellence with proven horizontal launch technology. The signing of the MoU is a positive step in the development of space and aerospace opportunities in Prestwick.
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