OU spaceflight lab hosts Cranfield University MSc student

Posted on 26 September 2025 • Science, maths, computing and technology

OU space researchers have recently finished hosting  Cranfield University MSc Astronautics & Space Engineering students undertaking a 4-month full-time Individual Research Projects (IRPs). The HyperVelocity Impact (HVI) and Space and Planetary Environments (SPE) Laboratories (supervised by Dr. Zoe Emerland) have facilitated projects for two students using a variety of extreme environment testing facilities. The first detailed below.

MSc student Santiago (supervised by Dr. Jennifer Kingston, Cranfield University) has conducted a series of laboratory experiments to investigate the degradation and survival of materials in space, with specific consideration of materials likely to be used for the Gateway – a planned multi-purpose space station outpost in lunar orbit. Santiago exposed several relevant materials to high-intensity UV, vacuum and thermal cycling (between 0 and -140°C) for up to 8 days using the Baldrick Chamber within the SPE Lab in the School of Physical Sciences.

Following exposure, irradiated and un-irradiated materials were subjected to hypervelocity impact to simulate space debris impacts using the All-Axis Two-stage Light Gas Gun, within the HVI Lab. The materials were held in a purpose-built target holder to represent a Whipple Shield structure, designed by Santiago. The Light Gas Gun fired 3 mm stainless steel projectiles at ~2 km/s to test whether the degradation from UV, vacuum and temperature cycling affected the survival of materials against hypervelocity impact. Santiago will now analyse his results to write up in his master’s thesis.

Prof Manish Patel, the academic lead for the HVI and SPE laboratories, commented:

“We normally use these facilities for OU teaching and research, including the development of spaceflight instrumentation and testing under space conditions.  Being able to provide access to Cranfield students who are at the start of their space-related careers is an honour, and it has been great to re-ignite the long-standing relationship with Cranfield academics like Jenny.  We are aiming to continue these highly successful collaborations, to strengthen the relationship between the OU and Cranfield.”

Helping to facilitate masters projects has further solidified the connections between Cranfield University and the Open University, and we are hopeful this continues to grow into more collaborative projects in the coming years.

The OU Team that supports the HVI & SPE labs include Prof. Manish Patel (PI), Dr. Zoe Emerland (Laboratory Supervisor), Dr. Matthew Sylvest (Lead Engineer) and Thomas Webley (School of Physical Sciences Laboratories Manager).