18 March 2005
Space Technology Centre opens at University of Dundee
Photo opportunity: 11.45am, Friday 18 March, Ewing Building, Small's Wynd, University of
Dundee
Lord Sainsbury, UK Minister for Science and Innovation will officially open the University of
Dundee’s new Space Technology Centre that will carry out advanced research into planetary landing
simulators and develop support technology for many space missions.
Opening on Friday 18 March the Space Technology Centre comprises the NERC Satellite Receiving
Station at Dundee, The Space Systems Research Group and commercialisation activities including
spin-out company STAR-Dundee.
Under the guidance of Dr Steve Parkes, the centre will develop new simulation tools and sensor
models that realistically simulate landing a spacecraft on a planet or asteroid. In the most
advanced technology of its kind in Europe, space agencies will be able to use the simulations to
test planetary landers in different conditions to help ensure the real spacecraft will land
successfully.
During the landing phase, spacecraft can encounter problems due to unknown conditions: craters
or boulders at the planned landing site or even adverse lighting conditions or atmospheric effects.
The simulation will guide a spacecraft through its landing phase on a planet or asteroid. By
changing the variables such as terrain and atmospheric conditions the researchers can predict in
what conditions the landing will be safe and make sure that the lander guidance system can cope
with most unexpected situations. The European Space Agency (ESA) are already using the
University's simulations of Mars and Mercury to develop guidance and navigation systems for their
own spacecraft.
The Space Systems Research Group at Dundee has had a major influence on the design of spacecraft
onboard data-handling networks and led the technical work on the SpaceWire network standard, which
is now being used on many ESA and NASA spacecraft. For example, ESA plan to use Space Wire
technology in the 2009, Bepe Colombo flight to Mercury.
SpaceWire is a data-handling-network used onboard spacecrafts to gather, store and relay
information to Earth. As the world leaders in SpaceWire research, the Dundee team are now working
to develop a new, high-speed version, known as SpaceFibre.
From its beginnings, space research at the University has expanded and spin-out company
STAR-Dundee is commercialising SpaceWire technology and now has partnerships with a range of
blue-chip organisations across the world including ESA, NASA and Astrium, Europe's largest
manufacturer of spacecraft.
The NERC Satellite Receiving Station makes up the other half of the new Space Technology
Centre. Supporting environmental scientists with earth observational data, the station supports
key UK environmental projects.
Prof Steve Parkes said, "Development in space technology research in the University has moved
rapidly since we first started out in 1997. Now for the first time, with the Space Technology
Centre we can bring together our research, teaching and commercialisation to further advance our
work. Our well focused research team will have a major effect on space craft electronic systems
design across the world and beyond."
For further information please contact Steve Parkes on 01382 345194 or the Press Office on
01382 344768
Notes to editors
1. Lord Sainsbury biography
Lord David Sainsbury is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation. He
was appointed in July 1998, with responsibility for the Office of Science and Technology, Research
Councils and space matters.
Chairman of J Sainsbury plc and a Director of Giant Food Inc until July 1998. Finance Director of
J Sainsbury plc from 1973 to 1990 and Deputy Chairman from 1988 to 1992.
David Sainsbury became Lord Sainsbury of Turville in October 1997.
Chairman of the Governing Body of the London Business School from 1991 to 1998. Received the Award
for Distinguished Leadership in Business from Columbia Business School in 1990. Member of the
Committee of Review of the Post Office (Carter Committee) from 1975 to 1977; member of the Dockland
Joint Committee from 1978 to 1981; member of the IPPR Commission on Public Policy and British
Business from 1995 to 1997.
2. For further information on STAR Dundee go to www.star-dundee.com
By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk | 
