Newton Launch Systems

For over 60 years, while terrestrial technology has been transformed beyond recognition, access to space for satellites and people has barely changed. Few in the space industry or government have challenged the traditional vertical launch of single-use satellites by expendable rockets, which emit vast quantities of CO₂ and other pollutants before littering the ocean and space with debris. At Newton Launch Systems, we believe that it is time to challenge the current paradigm by investing in the development of innovative, affordable and sustainable aerospace solutions, which will permit the exploration and exploitation of space with a significantly lower environmental impact than is possible today. Recognising that many others share this goal, our aim is to facilitate innovation by providing low-cost access to test facilities, which will boost the opportunities for UK businesses and academics, in parallel to supporting our own internal research and development programme.

About Us

Newton Launch Systems was founded in 2011 to develop rocket propulsion technology for the launch and operation of small spacecraft and has been actively involved in the development of sustainable space technology for over a decade. In 2018, the company took out a lease on an office at Spaceport Snowdonia and has since developed a range of test equipment at the site, which it now offers on a commercial basis to SMEs and academia, alongside its own in-house technology development programmes. Recent R&D projects include green propulsion for satellites and a low-cost bi-propellant rocket engine built from standard engineering materials.

Services

Newton offers a range of services from engineering consultancy through to the design and manufacture of bespoke test equipment in addition to testing services based around the company’s Snowdonia test facility. Newton’s technical team comprises aerospace, civil and electronics engineers making it ideally suited to tackling complex tasks that cross the traditional engineering disciplines, such as the design of specialist test facilities. Newton undertakes all of the design and much of its manufacturing in-house, including control systems and data acquisition. The test facilities currently available for commercial use include a rocket test stand for hybrid and bi-propellant rocket motors, a thermal vacuum chamber and a shaker table.