http://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/

RAL Space, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot (2026)

10/10/2026

Team RAL Space is ready for a busy day at ESA - European Space Agency’s UK open day! 🚀☄️🪐

We’re excited to be part of what’s set to be a fantastic day, welcoming almost 3000 members of the public for a huge range of space-themed activities.

We’ll be engaging visitors through Space Missions in Minecraft, space crafts activities, and even touring the night sky in our planetarium shows! 🌌

02/10/2026

This month we’re celebrating 20 years since the launch of NASA’s STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory)🎉☀️

This twin-spacecraft mission changed the way we see our star, providing the first-ever stereoscopic measurements to study the Sun and the nature of coronal mass ejections (CMEs): large clouds of magnetised plasma that erupt from the solar surface.

Launched on 26 October 2006 (UK time), the two STEREO spacecraft – STEREO-A and STEREO-B – were sent in opposite directions around the Sun. Their unique orbits unlocked new perspectives on solar activity and how CMEs evolve as they move through interplanetary space.

Although STEREO-B was lost in 2014, STEREO-A remains in operation, delivering vital data for scientific research as well as for operational space weather forecasting – essential for understanding and mitigating the impacts of CMEs on the technology and infrastructure we rely on here on Earth.

RAL Space led the development of STEREO’s flagship Heliospheric Imager (HI) instruments – wide-angle visible-light cameras designed to detect CMEs heading towards Earth. The STEREO HI team continue to support the instrument today, two decades on.

29/09/2026

💫 UK researchers are part of a team selected for a new landmark NASA mission: PRIMA.

🌌 The Probe Mission for Far-Infrared Astrophysics ( ) will conduct deep, sensitive surveys of the universe in far-infrared light to help address a wide range of questions about the universe. This includes the origins of planets outside our solar system, how galaxies and their black holes have grown and evolved over cosmic history, and how dust and heavy elements have built up in the universe over time – all helping paint a better picture of why the universe looks the way it does today.

Led by University of Sussex, the UK’s involvement in PRIMA builds on decades of world-leading expertise from missions including IRAS, ISO, Spitzer, AKARI and Herschel.

At RAL Space, our teams are contributing to the development of the PRIMA Ground Segment: the system that will handle the flow and analysis of scientific data returned from the mission. This includes the development of a specialised Observation Simulator that can be used to model the movement of the telescope and imaging instrument as they scan across the sky, simulating how these observations will map the universe.

Dr Chris Pearson, Astrophysics Programme Lead at RAL Space, says:

💬 “As the first mission dedicated to observing the infrared universe for over a decade, PRIMA will usher in a new era of infrared astronomy. We are incredibly thrilled and proud to be a part of its exciting story.”

24/09/2026

🕵☀️ "Our research has a hint of a detective story – piecing together a wide range of archived records to better understand a historically severe space weather event."

A 178-year-old mystery surrounding one of the earliest recorded examples of space weather affecting technology has been solved by an international team of scientists, including Dr Mike Hapgood - Visiting Scientist and space weather expert here at RAL Space.

🔎 By combining evidence from railway timetables, historical newspapers, solar observations, and digitised geomagnetic records, the team re-examined accounts of a train delay in Exeter in 1841, long thought to be the earliest recorded example of space weather impacting human technology.

Their new analysis, published earlier this month in the journal Space Weather, uncovered critical clues that challenge this long-held assumption...

Dr Hapgood adds: “While today’s space weather capabilities are far more advanced than anything available in the 1800s, the modern technologies we depend on are also much more vulnerable to solar storms. Deepening our understanding of these events is essential for preparing for, and mitigating, the impacts of space weather."

📖 Read the full story: https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/news/a-solar-detective-story-mystery-of-one-of-the-earliest-recorded-space-weather-impacts-solved

The image below shows a train signalling instrument similar to the set affected by this space weather event. Credit: The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

17/09/2026

Yesterday, we welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to RAL Space.

RAL Space Director, Dr Sarah Beardsley said:

💬 “It was a pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General to RAL Space today and to demonstrate how, as the UK’s National Space Laboratory, we are ready to deliver on the UK’s ambitions under the new National Space Strategy. Our end‑to‑end expertise, advanced facilities and leadership in technology development – combined with our heritage and partnerships across the sector – ensure we continue to strengthen the UK’s capabilities, economy, and security.”

After touring RAL Space facilities and learning first-hand from our colleagues how we support the UK’s space ecosystem, the leaders attended a showcase featuring organisations from across the sector who are also contributing to the UK’s growing capabilities.

The two leaders discussed how the UK could further support innovation within NATO, and the Prime Minister highlighted how the new national space strategy, released last week, would further enhance the UK’s innovation and resilience in the space domain.

🛰️ The visit comes shortly after His Majesty the King opened the UK Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell Campus, which similarly highlighted how the space sector could support the UK’s national security and economic growth.

Images © NATO

17/09/2026

Yesterday, we welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to RAL Space.

RAL Space Director, Dr Sarah Beardsley said:

💬 “It was a pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General to RAL Space today and to demonstrate how, as the UK’s National Space Laboratory, we are ready to deliver on the UK’s ambitions under the new National Space Strategy. Our end‑to‑end expertise, advanced facilities and leadership in technology development – combined with our heritage and partnerships across the sector – ensure we continue to strengthen the UK’s capabilities, economy, and security.”

After touring RAL Space facilities and learning first-hand from our colleagues how we support the UK’s space ecosystem, the leaders attended a showcase featuring organisations from across the sector who are also contributing to the UK’s growing capabilities.

The two leaders discussed how the UK could further support innovation within NATO, and the Prime Minister highlighted how the new national space strategy, released last week, would further enhance the UK’s innovation and resilience in the space domain.

🛰️ The visit comes shortly after His Majesty the King opened the UK Space and Defence Gateway at Harwell Campus, which similarly highlighted how the space sector could support the UK’s national security and economic growth.

Images ©️ NATO

10/09/2026

Did you know that space research helps improve mobile coverage on trains, develops new materials for the NHS, and protects the power systems we all rely on? 🤔

The government has just launched its new National Space Strategy, and UK Research and Innovation is playing a leading role. Over the current spending review period, they will invest at least £190 million in space, backing world-leading research, early-career scientists, new technology and international collaboration - all with STFC and RAL Space support.

The strategy also confirms related commitments, including:

🤖 £163 million for space science and exploration missions, including the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover, built in Stevenage
☀️ £149 million for the ESA - European Space Agency's Vigil mission, which will give earlier warning of dangerous solar storms
🌌 £9 million from the Met Office to strengthen space weather forecasting

ℹ️ Dr Sarah Beardsley, Director of STFC RAL Space, explains why this matters: "The UK's space scientists and innovators are driving the advancements that help protect our planet, bring vital services to our citizens, and create opportunity across the country."

From the trains you travel on to the satellites keeping our services running, space science is closer to home than you might think.

Curious to learn more? Read the full story here: https://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-investment-supports-new-uk-space-strategy/

09/09/2026

🚀 Our next Early Careers Conference takes place on Friday 6 November, and we’d love you to join us!

Curated by early‑career professionals for early‑career professionals, the day brings together people from across the space sector (and those curious about it) to build connections, share experiences, and explore the future of space through talks, discussions and networking.

Whether you’re working in engineering, science, policy, comms, operations or something completely different, this is a chance to see where your skills fit within the wider sector, meet others at a similar stage in their careers, and consider how you can help shape the community’s future. 🛰️ 🪐

Explore the programme and get your free ticket: https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/events/early-careers-conference-2026

28/08/2026

Welcome to Chilbolton Observatory, ISISPACE! 📡

Alongside our own atmospheric, radio and telecoms facilities, Chilbolton Observatory’s isolated setting and access to our specialists makes it a great home for other organisations working on specialist space capabilities.

We’re pleased to welcome ISISPACE as one of the latest organisations to join us at the observatory, with a new ground station now installed on site to support satellite communications and commanding. It will play a key role in operating several upcoming ISISPACE missions over the next few years, supporting their customers across missions focused on science & technology and climate action.

19/08/2026

📸 For , we’re showcasing some of the impressive photos our colleagues captured during last week’s .

☀️ With the UK experiencing over 90% totality, this event made for some truly spectacular images – from crescent shaped shadows to dramatic views of the partially covered Sun.

We hope our followers enjoyed the eclipse too!

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