The University of Liverpool has unveiled a cutting-edge facility designed to simulate the near-frictionless conditions of space, enabling the testing of autonomous spacecraft technologies before launch.
Access to space is expensive, limited and time-consuming. The Zero-G AstroLab replicates microgravity conditions, so enabling autonomous spacecraft systems to be developed and validated on Earth.
The Zero-G AstroLab features a state-of-the-art specialist epoxy floor-the smoothest and most level surface in the UK - which allows robotic platforms to glide with near-zero friction, closely replicating how spacecraft manoeuvre in orbit.
This unique resource is one of the most advanced surfaces of its kind in Europe and is totally unique in the UK. It aims to reduce mission risk and accelerate the development of next-generation space technologies - positioning Liverpool and UK at the forefront of space innovation.
It uses technology that allows a robot to sit on an air-cushioned base, enabling it to glide across an extremely smooth floor. This works similarly to an air hockey table, but instead of the surface supplying the air, the air cushion is generated by the robot itself. Combined with a precision tracking camera system, it can recreate complex space mission scenarios in a fully controlled environment.
To support this work, researchers have developed innovative air-bearing vehicles known as a "BEATLE" - (Bearing-free Experiment for an Autonomous Testbed in a Low-gravity Environment).
Designed and built in-house - including both hardware and software - the BEATLE can float across the surface to simulate spacecraft behaviour in microgravity. They can operate both manually or autonomously, performing tasks such as precision navigation, simulating docking manoeuvres and testing deployment scenarios.
The Zero-G AstroLab's surface is not only exceptionally flat but also precisely level relative to the gravity vector. This minimises drift and reduces the amount of compressed air required for operation, enabling experiments to run significantly longer than current industry standards.
The facility was designed and conceived as part of the UKRI-funded project, called REMORA (REndezvous Mission for Orbital Reconstruction of Asteroids), and has wide-ranging applications in hardware-in-the-loop testing for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) software in areas such as active space debris removal, Inter-spacecraft proximity operations, in-orbit manufacturing, formation flying and CubeSat testing.
Dr Stefania Soldini, Associate Professor in Space Engineering, said: "We are proud to unveil a facility that places Liverpool at the cutting edge of space engineering research.
"This stems from my experience as a spfacility ace mission engineer, designing and executing real-time space manoeuvres in space during my work on the Japanese Hayabusa2 mission to asteroid Ryugu. My involvement in space and planetary defence missions has reinforced the critical need to experiment, test, and simulate complex space activities in controlled lab environments before deploying them in real-world scenarios.
"The Zero-G AstroLab allows us to replicate the dynamics of space with remarkable accuracy, giving us a powerful platform to design, test and validate autonomous spacecraft systems before they ever leave Earth.
"This capability will open new opportunities for collaboration with industry and international partners and will play a key role in advancing technologies that support safer, more efficient and more ambitious space missions."
Space Engineering at the University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is home to a broad and ambitious programme of space research spanning engineering, physics, life sciences and data science. In collaboration with partners, the University leads and contributes to national and international efforts in planetary defence, space surveillance, microgravity research, satellite intelligence, space energy, dark matter, quantum technologies and sustainable space engineering. Link to website https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/research/space-engineering/
The Liverpool City Region Space Partnership
The University of Liverpool leads the Liverpool City Region Space Partnership, which is chaired by Dr Soldini. It brings together the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to forge collaborations and partnerships around the space sector. It is endorsed by STFC's North West Space Cluster in Daresbury.
