Space Research
The University of Nottingham has a broad range of research and development in the space domain, with historic strengths in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), Earth Observation for Human Rights endeavours, and space biology, shaping national and international policy in these areas.
The Space Research Group came together for the first time at the beginning of 2019, with the aim of bringing the space research work across the University together. In this group we:
- Bring together academics from a range of disciplines and career stages
- Support one another in keeping up-to-date with the latest science, research and technology
- Discuss funding opportunities from various organisations
- Share industrial contacts and business development opportunities
- Find projects we can collaborate on
- Develop strategies for building more space research and development at the University
Some examples of the space research capabilities that we have at the University include:
Astrobiology, Astromedicine and Astropharmacy
Professor Nathaniel Szewczyk, Professor of Space Biology
Spaceflight effects on human and worm muscle health, molecular muscle experiment on-board the International Space Station to test if specific signals control the reproducible gene expression changes observed in space. Interested in developing CubeSats for space-biology research and develop a biology ‘instrument’ for interplanetary missions.
Professor Szewczyk's staff profile
Professor Phil Williams, Professor of Biophysics
Evolution of life and molecular evolution in space, on demand, on-site manufacture of biopharmaceuticals in extreme environments, regulation and safety, remotely manufactured medicines, and space tourism.
Professor Williams' staff profile
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Professor Terry Moore, Director of the Nottingham Geospatial Institute
Orbital dynamics, GNSS Applications, Multi-constellation precise point positioning, Positioning and Navigation, Propagation effects.
Professor Moore's staff profile
Professor Xiaolin Meng, Professor of Positioning and Navigation Technologies
Structural health monitoring of large space bridges using GNSS and EO, Integrity of rail, maritime, unmanned aerial vehicles, transport applications, precision agriculture and knowledge exchange and technology transfer to China – Director of Sino-UK Geospatial Engineering Centre (SUGEC).
Professor Meng's staff profile
Dr Paul Blunt, Associate Professor of GNSS and Communications
Signal processing including signal modulation, multiplexing and encoding techniques, and acquisition and tracking architectures, integrated navigation including performance analysis of a GNSS-based navigation system for lunar missions.
Dr Blunt's staff profile
Paul Bhatia, General Manager of GRACE
Programme Management of GRACE, Industry engagement, GNSS & EO testing, training and consultancy and EO InSAR applications.
Paul Bhatia's staff profile
Small satellites and space debris
Dr Chantal Cappelletti, Assistant Professor in Aerospace Engineering
Small satellites including mission analysis and design, satellite systems analysis, design and implementation, AITV activities, in orbit operations, interplanetary missions, deployment mechanism and different manufacturing technologies. Space debris including observation and mitigation.
Dr Cappelletti's staff profile
Earth Observation
Professor Stuart Marsh, Professor of Geospatial Engineering
Earth Observation for monitoring: subsidence; compressible sediments and groundwater; coal mining; peat; slavery; sand; and oil seeps.
Professor Marsh's staff profile
Dr Stephen Grebby, Assistant Professor in Earth Observation
Identification of rocks and minerals indicative of presence of hydrocarbon and geothermal resources, detection of natural offshore oil seep, monitoring of ground motion, understanding the impact of oil spills.
Dr Grebby's staff profile
Professor Giles Foody, Professor of Geographical Information Science
Developing Earth Observation applications to remote sense terrestrial features, analyse digital images for image classification and enhancements and increase data quality.
Professor Foody's staff profile
Professor Doreen Boyd, Professor of Earth Observation
Application of Earth Observation data and methods for optimal extract of information relating to terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, particularly with respect to socio-ecological interactions.
Professor Boyd's staff profile
Astrophysics
Professor Christopher Conselice, Professor of Astrophysics
Formation of galaxies, leader of several near infrared large extragalactic surveys, leading role in ESA’s Euclid Mission.
Professor Conselice's staff profile
Materials and Manufacturing
Dr Katy Voisey, Associate Professor in Advanced Materials
Test of materials for space applications, space-manufacturing methods and a member of the Gateway Earth Development Group.
Dr Voisey's staff profile
Dr David Sanderson, Senior Research Fellow in Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing, assembly, and repair operations in space, and autonomous robotic processes, artificial intelligence and smart integration.
Dr Sanderson's staff profile
System Dynamics and Controls
Dr Harald Pfifer, Assistant Professor in System Dynamics and Control
Worst-case analysis of launcher ascend trajectories, and robust control theory.
Dr Pfifer's staff profile
Electromagnetic Design
Professor David Thomas, Professor of Electromagnetic Applications
Computational electromagnetics including: GGI_TLM & UTLM for full field 3D electromagnetic simulation - suitable for application to all areas of the spectrum from static problems through to optical frequencies and SACAMOS (developed through funding from ESA) for the development of cable models for satellite applications.
Professor Thomas' staff profile