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Welcome to the RAL Space website

RAL Space, based at STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), carries out an exciting range of world-class space research and technology development. We have significant involvement in over 200 space missions and are at the forefront of UK Space Research.

Our 200 staff are dedicated to supporting the programmes of the STFC and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC (link opens in a new window)), as well as undertaking a large number of space projects for UK and overseas agencies, universities and industrial companies.

We work alongside the UK Space Agency (link opens in a new window) who co-ordinate UK civil space activities.

We undertake world-leading space research and technology development, provide space test and ground-based facilities, design and build instruments, analyse and process data and operate S- and X-band ground-station facilities, as well as lead conceptual studies for future missions. We work with space and ground-based groups around the world.


Latest News

  • 16 February 2012

    After the Storm!

    Gale force winds which exceeded 60 mph and battered the UK on the 3rd and 5th January 2012 unfortunately didn't spare the LOFAR UK 608 station at the STFC Chilbolton Observatory....
  • 05 January 2012

    After 17 years Chilbolton's "dish" finally gets a good and proper wash!

    Nearly a thousand litres of paint later, and after more than four months of hard effort by ten men, a bright and fresh 25m antenna, known locally to its home at STFC's Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire as "the dish", has been unveiled by Caroline Nokes MP....
  • 08 December 2011

    Revolutionary navigation system for future Mars rovers

    An autonomous navigation system that will enable a future planetary rover vehicle to be in complete control of its own actions as it explores the surface of Mars is being designed by top-calibre scientists and engineers at STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory....

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