ROLLS-ROYCE ESTABLISHES PRESENCE AT SPACE PARK LEICESTER

Rolls-Royce has deployed nuclear power specialists to the £100m Space Park Leicester facility.

Last January, Rolls-Royce signed a contract with the UK Space Agency for a study into future nuclear power options for space exploration.

The company intends to progress and expand its development in the space sector by collaborating with Richard Ambrosi, professor of space instrumentation and space nuclear power systems at University of Leicester, as well as a range of other specialists.

Abi Clayton, director for future programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “Having the opportunity to have a presence at Space Park Leicester allows us to be close to the action. It’s also incredibly inspiring to work among scientists from the University of Leicester and representatives from space-related companies.

“Our innovative integrated electric power and thermal management solutions will work alongside our novel nuclear technologies, digital capabilities and engineering excellence to realise our customers’ ambitions for exploratory space missions to become a reality.”

Gary Jones, head of manufacturing innovation at Rolls-Royce, added: “Our presence at Space Park Leicester is a really good opportunity for our people that are specifically working on the space programme to immerse themselves in all things space.

“Rolls-Royce is the UK’s nuclear thought leader and what we bring is unique. The expertise and just sheer innovation and brain power of some of our people is incredible and it’s tremendously exciting to surround ourselves with like-minded people.”

Space Park Leicester has been designed to enable collaboration between The University of Leicester’s researchers and the private sector.

The project is being led by the university in partnership with Leicester City Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

Ambrosi said: “The presence of Rolls-Royce at Space Park Leicester and their work in leading the development of space reactor systems will enable Leicester researchers to collaborate with Rolls-Royce on a range of space mission concepts and technology solutions that will transform access to space for scientific and human exploration endeavours.

“We welcome the opportunity to grow our portfolio of research in space nuclear power technologies, built on our heritage in radioisotope power systems.”