Scottish space firm’s hardware takes a ride on German rocket

A Scottish space firm is establishing a foothold in the European aerospace sector after integrating its technology into a German research rocket system.

Engineers from Edinburgh-based Aurora Avionics travelled to Germany’s aerospace centre near Munich to integrate its on-board computer system with the rocket, which serves as a central platform for conducting materials physics and life science experiments under microgravity. Reaching altitudes of up to 180 miles or so, the launch creates conditions to conduct various scientific experiments onboard.

In preparation for the upcoming launch, the Scottish firm worked alongside the German team to ensure all hardware including a camera, service module and supporting equipment was installed and tested within a day.

PF1 on-board computer system | DLR

Myles Bax, commercial lead at Aurora Avionics, said: “Seeing our technology being integrated into a major German research system is an exciting moment, not only for our firm but for the wider Scottish space industry. Hardware developed here in Scotland is now being integrated into major European programmes, highlighting the growing role the country is playing within the international space sector.

“As we continue to establish our presence across Europe through a growing number of partnerships, opportunities like this allow us to demonstrate the capabilities of our technology on an international stage.”

Now successfully integrated, Aurora’s system will form a key part of the payload carried on an upcoming rocket launch from Esrange, Sweden.

Oren Smith-Carpenter, chief executive at Aurora Avionics, said: “Flying on a major European research mission gives us the opportunity to test how our technology performs within a real launch environment and demonstrate our capabilities on an international stage.”

Last year, Aurora Avionics signed a six-figure deal with Spanish company Pangea Propulsion and recently secured a partnership agreement with French firm Alpha Impulsion.

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