SmallSpark Space Systems, an award-winning rocket propulsion innovation company which is part of the Deepbridge Technology Growth EIS fund, has been awarded funding by Research England via their SPRINT programme. This funding will be used to collaborate with Dr Fengshu Yang and the University of Leicester to develop a new iteration of rocket propellant for its S4-HIVE rocket engine. 

Joseph Ward, CEO and Founder at  SmallSpark Space Systems, commented:  

“I’m really looking forward to seeing where this research leads; our S4-HIVE engines propellants already provide us with extremely high performance, using ecologically stable propellants. The ability to enhance this further and do what we can to minimise our impact on the environment is an exciting prospect; I am similarly excited to give some of SmallSpark’s newer engineers take the reins on some of our most innovative projects."  

SmallSpark are aiming to redefine the UK (United Kingdom) space sector with their new generation of safer engines and propulsion systems, making cost-effective and environmentally friendly access to space readily available and lowering the barriers to space entry for UK groups seeking space access.  

Dr Shengfu Yang, University of Leicester, said: 

"This is a project in collaboration with a leading research team at the University of Leicester, who will improve the chemical formulation of our fuels by proper choice and optimized nanoparticle additives. This will help to alleviate the environmental concern, e.g., by reducing the black carbon emission, of our space project, and will improve the energy efficiency and contribute to the Jet Zero target."

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