SmallSpark Space Systems, a Cardiff based space-tech venture, developing a product and service ecosystem to support the cislunar and deep-space exploration market has today announced the appointment of a new Chairman to its Board of Directors.

The move comes as the company seeks to facilitate a rapid scale up on the back of numerous technological and commercial milestones in 2023. Craig Fennell, who recently left BAE Systems after a 39-year career, brings with him considerable experience and capability, leading core divisions for the company including the Future Programmes team before becoming the Business Development and Strategy Director.

Joseph Ward, CEO and Former Chairman of SmallSpark Space Systems had the following to say

“We are excited to welcome Craig to the SmallSpark team

 as the head of our board of directors. This appointment demonstrates our commitment to scaling SmallSpark in the next 18 months. 

Craigs’ experience and knowledge are going to be critical in supporting us to achieve that. Craig’s background in future technologies, business development and international collaboration on dual-use technologies perfectly align with our present and future needs.” 

Craig Fennell, newly appointed Chair at SmallSpark Space Systems said

"It’s with great pleasure that I take up the role of Chairman of SmallSpark’s Board. The company's mission to develop a cislunar and deep-space product ecosystem has immense potential to reshape how businesses participate in the space economy. For me, what set SmallSpark apart is its effective development of dual-use technology, bridging the gap between commercial and defence applications in space. I am particularly looking forward to supporting Joe in his role as CEO, and the rest of SmallSpark’s exceptional team, as we collectively focus on accelerating the company's growth. Together, we aim to position SmallSpark as a global leader in this rapidly evolving sector."

SmallSpark Space Systems is a leading UK-based company dedicated to building a product ecosystem that enhances the efficient commercialization of cislunar space. SmallSpark’s portfolio includes technologies such as payload interface devices, innovative propulsion systems, digital-twin technologies, and cloud-based operational management tools.

 SmallSpark Space Systems, a Cardiff based space-tech venture, developing a product and service ecosystem to support the cislunar and deep-space exploration market has today announced the appointment of a new Chairman to its Board of Directors.

SmallSpark appoints former BAE System Business Development and Strategy Director to Chair of Board of Directors

 – As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing space technology and its applications, SmallSpark Space Systems is set to exhibit at the DSEI defence expo. This Cardiff-based company, which specialises in enhancing deep-space and cislunar logistics with its S4-SLV spacecraft, aims to highlight the interconnectedness of space-tech and defence.

Receiving support from DASA, which has provided funding to numerous Welsh companies, SmallSpark continues to conduct research and development in solid rocket motor technology and material science. The company's approach is grounded in the principles of NewSpace, with an eye on adapting its efficiencies for the broader defence community.

, a result of collaborative efforts with DASA's Open Cycle programme. This thermal shielding solution has potential applications spanning from propulsion system protection to aircraft component shielding.

: A focus area for SmallSpark, attendees at DSEI can look forward to understanding the progress in throttleable solid motor technologies. The event will also provide insights into the company's approach to solid motor design optimisation.

: SmallSpark’s work in employing AI for creating digital twins of complex systems stands out. Integrated with the mooreAI design optimisation tools, this technology holds promise, especially in the realms of propulsion and hypersonics.

SmallSpark Space Systems’ participation at DSEI is a testament to its dedication to advancing both the space and defence sectors, showcasing the mutual benefits and innovations each can bring to the other.

From its base in Cardiff, UK, SmallSpark Space Systems is focused on streamlining deep-space and cislunar logistics, particularly by optimising transportation, power, and communications on its S4-SLV spacecraft. The company believes in harnessing the strengths of NewSpace methodologies for the ever-evolving demands of the defence industry.

SmallSpark Space Systems to Present Space-Tech Innovations at DSEI Defence Expo

SmallSpark to showcase its dual-use technologies at major expo DSEI

SmallSpark to exhibit at DSEI

 SmallSpark Space Systems, an industry innovator in the development of advanced space and defence technologies, is proud to announce the recent contract award from the DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator) . Valued at £188,099.88, the project titled "An Improved Method for Active Control of Solid Rocket Motor Performance" will see SmallSpark demonstrate an advanced technique for the active control and altitude compensation of solid rocket motors, aiming to increase performance and application flexibility.

This contract follows on the heels of the successful £ 292,565.75 project initiated in Q3 2022, which utilised SmallSpark's state-of-the-art mooreAI technology to bolster the stability and expedite the design processes of solid rocket motors. The novel technologies established during that venture will be integral to the advancements pursued in the current project, affirming SmallSpark's approach to continuous innovation and progressive development.

SmallSpark Space Systems is committed to delivering tailored, sophisticated technology that serves both the UK Space and Defence sectors. The duality of this commitment is demonstrated in their diverse product range which subtly bridges the space and defence industries. From the development of novel space propulsion systems that have potential defence applications, to the provision of in

space asset management software which can aid defence logistics, SmallSpark’s commitment to the 

two sectors remains balanced and unwavering.

SmallSpark CEO, Joseph Ward stated, "This contract embodies our ongoing dedication to providing leading-edge solutions for both the space and defence sectors. The project aligns seamlessly with our mission to drive innovation, push technological boundaries, and be a reliable partner for the Ministry of Defence. We are excited to further contribute to the strategic vision of the UK Space and Defence industries 

 and even more excited to return back to K-site at The Westcott Venture Park, to continue testing our solid motor technology, and incorporate it into our fu

Headquartered in Cardiff, UK, SmallSpark Space Systems is a space and defence technology venture committed to innovation. They focus on creating space propulsion systems, cislunar logistics services, in-space asset management tools, and design optimisation for hypersonic and propulsion systems. Their comprehensive and harmonious portfolio places SmallSpark at the intersection of space and defence technology to support the United Kingdom's growth ambitions throughout the 2020’s and 2030’s.

SmallSpark Space Systems, an industry innovator in the development of advanced space and defence technologies, is proud to announce the recent contract award from the DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator) . Valued at £188,099.88, the project titled "An Improved Method for Active Control of Solid Rocket Motor Performance" will see SmallSpark demonstrate an advanced technique for the active control and altitude compensation of solid rocket motors, aiming to increase performance and application flexibility.

MoD back SmallSpark to develop and demonstrate new throttlable, altitude compensating solid rocket engine architecture

SmallSpark Awarded Ministry of Defence Contract for Advancements in Throttleable Solid Rocket Engines

The project would be a landmark for the UK space sector, as the first cislunar mission launched from Britain using systems and technology designed in the country, by SmallSpark’s growing team of engineers.

Set to be the first of its kind demonstrated in space, the 

aims to provide enhanced mobility and logistics capabilities for the

 – a vehicle under development by SmallSpark that will simplify the transportation of low-mass payloads within the cislunar system, providing communications, power and mobility.

 will be one of the core systems that will enable SmallSpark’s 

to reliably move throughout cislunar space, and with the intention to be refuelled in space each vehicle seeks to serve at least 50 payloads in its lifetime; ending with a deorbit burn and bringing debris down with it.

Joseph Ward, SmallSpark CEO and Director of Propulsion said: 

The Cardiff-based aerospace technology venture, which focuses on developing novel engineering solutions for the aerospace and space industry, has received investment from the UK Space Agency to fuel the six-figure project.

Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, said: 

With the project developing rapidly, SmallSpark has launched 

 allowing parties to be one of the first to secure their place on the historic launch scheduled for 2024.

More widely, as interest and confidence in the global commercial space sector grows, the UK Government has shown continued support for the European Space Agency with an investment of over £1.8B – £200M of which has been pledged to the ESA’s exploration program, with a key focus on Lunar operations and logistics.

SmallSpark Space Systems has received financial backing from the UK Space Agency to develop a next-generation dual-firing mode propulsion system, designed to power the company’s Space Logistics Vehicle (S4-SLV), along with upper stages of launch vehicles. 

SmallSpark backed by UK Space Agency to develop new generation of chemical propulsion systems for 2024 Moonshot

SmallSpark will be breathing new life into its old SIBYL demonstrator engine, first used in early 2021; to rapidly test a range of solid motor configurations

SmallSpark Space Systems, a Cardiff based aerospace and space technology venture, has today announced it has secured a development contract with the UK’s Ministry of Defence, via the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), to use its 

 technology to accelerate the time it takes to develop novel solid rocket motor configurations, for a broad range of applications . The proposal, which has seen significant support from the MOD, is one of the first to explore the direct application of AI-based assistive tools to engineers in the defence industry for tackling novel problems without historical datasets” The contract is worth £292,565.75 and will see SmallSpark double the size of its software and technology demonstration teams, along with investing in additional in-house infrastructure and capabilities

SmallSpark is excited to announce formally, that it has been awarded a development contract worth £292,565.75 by the Ministry of Defence, within DASA’s Rapid Innovation Cycle, to adapt its 

 optimisation technologies to tackle instabilities identified within the early stages of solid rocket motor design. The proposal, which has seen significant support from the MOD, is one of the first to explore the direct application of AI-based assistive tools to engineers in the defence industry for tackling novel problems without historical datasets,

mooreAI is a data-agnostic, multi-objective optmisation technology developed by SmallSpark Space Systems, with the ambition to dramatically reduce the time it takes to perform system-wide engineering optimsation. The technology boasts unique capabilities including allowing multiple simultaneous data-streams, advanced geometry manipulation, and the abulity to tackle extremely nosiy, complex problems

, which has only been given limited public access by the team at SmallSpark, was originally developed with Research England backing, in collaboration with The University of Southamptoin, and till now, has publically only been used for aerodynamic design optimisation

The project, which is expected to take between 9-12 months, will see SmallSpark returning to the historic Westcott Venture Park, along with other sites round the UK, to demonstrate the companies ability for agile desgin and demonstration.

SmallSpark’s mission is to simlify in-space logistics; and will be debuting its S4-SLV vehicle in 2023; which aims to be the first lunar mission completely developed and launched from within the UK

SmallSpark secures contract from Ministry of Defence to demonstrate enhanced rocket engine performance using novel optimisation

PR: SmallSpark secures contract from Ministry of Defence

pr-smallspark-secures-contract-from-ministry-of-defence-to-use-its-mooreai-software-to-accelerate-the-design-of-innovative-solid-rocket-motors

PR: SmallSpark Secures Backing From InnovateUK To Mature FLOWCAST, To Enable Faster Multi-Component, High-Variable System-Wide Engineerng Optimisation

PR: SmallSpark Secures Backing From InnovateUK To Mature FLOWCAST

SmallSpark Space Systems, today (28th July) featured at the Westcott Space Expo. The team had the chance to showcase our technologies, and discuss the benefits of the ecosystem being built by SmallSpark, designed to simplfiy participation in the NewSpace economy for Small Businesses.

Over the coming 6 months, SmallSpark will be unveiling a range of new technologies and bringing them to market. This includes the BETA launch of its 

:Cloud platform; along with the unveiling of a new iteration of its S4-HIVE engine, that will be powering its Frost Micro launch vehicle in 2023.

SmallSpark Features At Westcott Expo, Discussing Details On Our Propulsion And Optimisation Technologies

SmallSpark Features At Westcott Expo

smallspark-presents-at-westcott-epo-discussing-details-on-our-propulsion-and-optimisation-technologies

Smallspark CEO today featured on Deepbridge’s Discovery podcast; you can listen to the podcast here : 

Smallspark CEO Joe Ward Discusses SmallSpark Space Systems on the Deepbridge Discovery Podcast

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