KU Astro research group

Transcription

1 KU Astro research group Dr. Adam Baker 1 st meeting: 2 July 2014 Purpose of the group 3 staff members (1 FT, 2PT) 2 research students & possibly more to follow Some scope for coordinated research among between teaching & admin duties Various calls for space proposals / funding available - TSB Innovation, UKSpace Agency NSTP, EU H2020 & industry seeking partnerships Opportunity for coordinated fundraising

2 How do we do it? Fortnightly meeting during non teaching periods Every 4-5 weeks during teaching semester Short presentation followed by discussion, (volunteer for next mtg ) Mins presentation - Presenter buys the refreshments - Periodic invited speakers (Astro fund buys the refreshments) Exchange ideas on our current areas of research to find common ground Adam s #1 areas of interest Technical and economic feasibility of a small UK satellite launcher - Small = deliver kg into space - Cater for Cubesats too, plus growth path to larger payloads Why is this important 1. UK very good at building small satellites 1. No capability to launch, reliant on other nations 2. Very few launchers catering to small payloads 3. Rapidly growing market stimulated by Cubesats

3 Space CITI study CITI: Collaboration Innovation Team Initiative 9 month, 300k study into the integrated business case for a UK Spaceport SSTL prime contractor - Newton Launch Systems (AB 1 of 3 directors) - Reaction Engines - London Economics - Commercial Space Technologies Output: - Understanding of market and economics required for a commercially viable small launch service Market for small launch On the face of it positive Trend much less clear for small satellites <10 150kg Scenario - Increasing numbers from nations emerging into the space industry - BUT Over half originate from countries with launch capability - SO addressable market is small. EU, Emerging space nations About $27M / pa or 5 launches Range A 101kg 150kg Range B 51kg 100kg Range C 11kg 50kg Range D >0kg 10kg Launches/ Year

4 Economic analysis Costs estimated based on historical data: - Development, production, operations, business overheads Simple business model created Cash flow analysis undertaken for several scenarios Result give indication of likely business success but detail should be taken with a pinch of salt. NOT an effort to design a new launch vehicle Boost / core all liquid system 12.7t GLOM LOX / CH4 32kN basic engine unit Cash flow M each, highly optimistic Year Cash ( k) Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4 Scenario M each, optimistic price, realistic sales M each, realistic price, high sales M each, realistic price and sales M ach and 2 2M, most likely Shows how difficult & slow it is to make money from even a small launcher Opco costs 25 persons 2.2M p.a., Range fees, 3 rd party ins. 0.4M p.a. Launch ins. 15% total cost

5 Ongoing activities Outside KU - CAA / DfT : Possible UK launch sites - Rocket Engine Dev Large (100kN+ thrust) pump fed hybrid rocket engine for Bloodhound UK with Nammo (Norway) - Newton Technology plan to explore what is lowest cost rocket propulsion technology, and to fly vehicles to demonstrate this to future investors KU - Prev. M Eng Group project Structural options for small launchers - Ongoing research into low cost rocket propulsion PhD Jack James Marlow Final year B Eng projects - Systematic modeling of small rockets to understand cost / mass drivers Potential collaboration Aiming to work with reputable propulsion companies to build understanding of rocket launch systems with low cost propulsion Target: EU H2020 COMPET Access to Space proposal for April 2015 SSTL: - small H2O2 (HTP) piston tanks Moog: - chemical rocket engine manufacture Archer Technicoat Ltd - Nozzle coatings Reaction Engines - Understanding system level challenges of small launchers + universities: Surrey, Cranfield, Bristol