PROPEL-IT
Lead Participant:
TISICS LIMITED
Abstract
The rapidly expanding need for global access to satellites is driven by direct to user access for communications, data transfer, navigation and earth observation throughout work and private life. Access beyond highly developed urban areas needs constellations of low orbit satellites. This requires a significant change in the space industry to build and deliver hinders rather than tens of satellites per year. These satellites have limited lives creating long term high value revenues for suppliers. But this needs new engineering solutions to meet the New Space demands for speed and production economics.
TISICS has developed advanced materials and processes capable of cutting delivery times by 60% and mass by 40% through net shape manufacture utilising it unique expertise in lightweight metal composites and low waste net-shape manufacturing technologies. Satellites need propulsion systems to maintain orbit position. Supported by customers, Innovate UK, the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency, TISICS innovative fuel tanks for spacecraft propulsion are compact and lightweight. They enable maximising fuel capacity within the minimum work envelope and mass, reducing launch costs whilst extending service-life and revenues.
This fully repayable Innovate UK loan will enable TISICS to address the final hurdles to transition this innovative technology into a high value and high volume UK-manufacturing capability. The accelerated development ensures that a UK supply chain for high value satellite fuel tank production can be secured to support both UK and international satellite manufacturers. This will create new highly skilled manufacturing jobs and significant export potential for TISICS and its customers. As the capability and capacity expands, TISICS will be able to supply additional components for satellites and launchers beyond fuel tanks. We will use this capability as a springboard into high volume aerospace components helping to deliver cleaner aircraft in the future as well as cheaper and more convenient access to satellite communications.
TISICS has developed advanced materials and processes capable of cutting delivery times by 60% and mass by 40% through net shape manufacture utilising it unique expertise in lightweight metal composites and low waste net-shape manufacturing technologies. Satellites need propulsion systems to maintain orbit position. Supported by customers, Innovate UK, the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency, TISICS innovative fuel tanks for spacecraft propulsion are compact and lightweight. They enable maximising fuel capacity within the minimum work envelope and mass, reducing launch costs whilst extending service-life and revenues.
This fully repayable Innovate UK loan will enable TISICS to address the final hurdles to transition this innovative technology into a high value and high volume UK-manufacturing capability. The accelerated development ensures that a UK supply chain for high value satellite fuel tank production can be secured to support both UK and international satellite manufacturers. This will create new highly skilled manufacturing jobs and significant export potential for TISICS and its customers. As the capability and capacity expands, TISICS will be able to supply additional components for satellites and launchers beyond fuel tanks. We will use this capability as a springboard into high volume aerospace components helping to deliver cleaner aircraft in the future as well as cheaper and more convenient access to satellite communications.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
Participant |
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| TISICS LIMITED |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Stephen Kyle-Henney (Project Manager) |