Scottish space tech firm Aurora Avionics has seen its technology integrated into a German research rocket due for launch in October.
It marks the first time that the Edinburgh-based firm will have its PF1 computer system launch into microgravity onboard the German-developed MAPHEUS mission.
Aurora engineers have worked with the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) team at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to integrate its experimental prototype system with the MAPHEUS-17 research rocket. Its hardware including a camera, service module and supporting equipment was installed and tested within a day.
“Seeing our technology being integrated into a major German research system is an exciting moment – not only for our firm, but for the wider Scottish space industry,” said Myles Bax, commercial lead at Aurora Avionics.
The annual MAPHEUS rocket programme reaches altitudes of up to 300km. Here it conducts various materials physics and life science experiments under microgravity.
This year the rocket, with...