New manufacturing facility opens in Hardwicke, aiming to use cutting-edge composite technology to revolutionise operations in Earth orbit and beyond
The opening of a new automated production facility in Gloucestershire is expected to transform the way people work in space by contributing to lighter-weight and most sustainable vehicles. The Advanced Composites Manufacturing Enterprise (ACMA) will also create some 2,000 jobs.
Dr Evangelos Zympeloudis, CEO and Founder of iCOMAT, Matt Archer, Director of Launch and ISAM, at the UK Space Agency and Antonia Yendell, Head of Space Ecosystem Development at the UK Space Agency. Photo courtesy of iCOMAT.
ACMA is led by iCOMAT, a spin-out company of the University of Bristol. ICOMAT’s rapid tow shearing (RTS) technology enables production of structures that are significantly lighter and more cost-effective than those created with traditional manufacturing processes. This is vital in helping to address critical industry demands for weight reduction in spacecraft and satellites.
The facility boats two specialised production lines. The 2D-RTS line will be used to manufacture flat structures and complex-shaped components including satellite panels and solar array substrates, while the 3D-RTS production line will handle geometrically complex components. The latter might include satellite and upper stage propellant tanks using advanced fibre steering technology on doubly curved parts.
Work began on the new, 4,200 m2 (45,000 square feet) ACMA manufacturing facility in Hardwicke in 2023. Construction has been supported by £4.8m from the UK Space Agency’s space clusters infrastructure fund (SCIF) with a further £3.3m in match funding. ICOMAT also received more than £800,000 through the UK Space Agency’s membership of the European Space Agency’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).
The opening was marked by special event in which leading figures from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency and companies such as Orbex, Lockheed Martin and Thales Alenia Space got to see live demonstrations of the technology ACMA will lead on.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd MP says: ‘The opening of this manufacturing facility is a win for British ingenuity and testament to our commitment to backing our homegrown space sector. The innovative technology developed here will support everything from our thriving satellite industry to future deep space missions.’
Dr Evangelos Zympeloudis, CEO and Founder of iCOMAT, adds: ‘We are immensely grateful for the investment from the UK Space Agency, which has been pivotal in establishing this world-class facility. By leveraging our expertise in advanced materials, we are creating opportunities for the space industry to develop more efficient, sustainable vehicles, whilst creating a domestic supply chain and strengthening the UK’s competitive position in the global market. Our team is excited to be fully operational, engaging with the UK space industry and beyond, driven by iCOMAT’s unique patented technology.’
Antonia Yendell, Head of Space Ecosystem Development at the UK Space Agency, says: ‘The opening of iCOMAT’s cutting-edge facility represents exactly the kind of innovation and industrial capability we want to see flourishing across the UK space sector. Through our SCIF investment of £4.8m, we’re not just supporting revolutionary manufacturing technology – we’re helping to create jobs and positioning the UK as a leader in advanced composite materials for space applications.
‘iCOMAT’s rapid tow shearing technology has the potential to transform how we build spacecraft and satellites, making them lighter, more cost-effective and more sustainable. This facility in Gloucestershire will serve as a beacon of UK space manufacturing excellence, supporting everything from satellite production to future space exploration missions.’
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