Our Facilities
The R2T2 consortium spans the length of the U.K. and the combination of our facilities is our greatest strength. This network allows each student to pursue their research potential with access to millions of pounds worth of equipment.
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We are also developing our relationships with partner consortia - such as the Australian Rocket Systems Training Network - and we will work towards formal collaboration from 2025 onwards.
Advanced
Manufacturing
Research Centre
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield is a world-leading institution dedicated to advancing manufacturing technologies and materials research. Established in 2001, the AMRC collaborates with global industrial giants, including Boeing and Rolls-Royce, to develop innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and performance in various sectors. The centre focuses on cutting-edge areas such as additive manufacturing, machining, robotics, and digital manufacturing, offering state-of-the-art facilities and expertise. Its multidisciplinary approach integrates academic research with practical applications, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
The AMRC's technical capabilities include advanced composites manufacturing, high-precision machining, automated assembly, and extensive materials testing. It utilizes the latest technologies to optimize manufacturing processes. With its commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology, the AMRC at the University of Sheffield is a pivotal hub for transformative research and technological advancement.
Westcott Venture Park, located in Buckinghamshire, is a premier business park known for focusing on the space sector and high-tech industries. It hosts a range of innovative companies, including European Astrotech Ltd, Nammo, Airborne Engineering, and Protolaunch. All three companies have years of propulsion testing experience, contributing significantly to advancements in aerospace technologies.
The infrastructure includes extensive testing facilities and business support services, fostering a collaborative environment that drives technological innovation. Westcott Venture Park's strategic focus on space and high-tech industries, combined with its exceptional technical capabilities, makes it a critical asset for the R2T2 consortium.
When R2T2 is based at Westcott, our students will benefit from industry-leading engineering test training provided by the Space Industry Centre for Excellence (SiC4E), a collaboration led by Plastron UK and European Astrotech in partnership with Latitude 51 Space Systems, the Space Skills Alliance and Plymouth & South Devon Freeport. SiC4E trains professionals and students in Launch Operations & Payload Processing, Propulsion Test Safety and Engineering Test Best Practice.
Westcott
Venture
Park
MachLab
MachLab has a covered 10 kN test stand, instrumented for thrust, which is already proven with both liquid and gaseous propellants. The propellants are held in a separate well-ventilated room. Personnel may control the firing from an armoured control building entirely separate from the energetic hardware. All three buildings are inside a secure fenced perimeter with a wide clearance area beyond.
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The site is around a three-hour drive from Glasgow, and accommodation (barracks) is available on-site to enable longer campaigns. There are also flights from Glasgow to Campbeltown Airport, which shares the broader site.
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Cryogenic propellant capability, and water deluge, are currently being installed.
The ‘Rocket Lab’ within the School of Engineering and Computing at Kingston University London has a hybrid and bi-propellant rocket test facility for research into rocket engine design and can provide a range of high-quality evaluation and data analysis options.
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The Kingston University London indoor propulsion test facility is an indoor blast chamber that allows for the testing and research of small to medium-sized propulsion systems (up to low kN thrust levels).