Last week we welcomed Kayleigh Moore from The University of Edinburgh to complete #impact tests of impedance-graded composite shields with 1-2 mm stainless steel projectiles at ~5 km/s. Such experiments will validate numerical simulations of shields to protect spacecraft from #MMOD impacts! ☄️

As we post, Utrecht University's LonnekeRoelofs defends her thesis entitled "Dynamic planetary hillslopes: Granular flows and gullies on Earth and Mars" - Best of Luck and we look forward hearing about your success and the celebration that will undoubtedly follow! 🎓 #PhDlife #Mars

Even in this post-COVID #hybrid working environment, there is nothing like having technical discussions #facetoface in the #lab surrounded by your capabilities! This is always our preferred approach. If you have a #challenge, organise a visit, and we can work towards a #solution!

Today we invite Dr. Petr Brož back to the lab for 3 weeks worth of experiments investigating cryovolcanism in extreme planetary environments! Controlled experiments within George - The Large Dirty Mars Chamber, will shed light on the factors affecting cryovolcanic features! 🥼 #labwork

It feels not long since we expanded the lab! Now it is dedicated to Extreme Environment Simulation with multiple vacuum chambers of varying sizes ready to test almost anything from spacecraft/electrical equipment, sedimentary processes, and astrobiological samples to much more!🥼

Today closes week 2 of 3 of impressive ice 🧊 forming experiments by Dr. Petr Brož in George - The Large Dirty Mars Chamber. It has revealed fluids of different concentrations of salt generate dramatic changes in behaviour and ice morphology! 🥼 #Mars #ice #labwork #laboratory #salt

Testing thermal cycling capabilities in Baldrick today ahead of a Cranfield University MEng project looking at the degradation of spacecraft materials in space. Every week or even every day there is something different happening in the lab! 🛰️ #lab #testing #thermalcycling #spacecraft

Milton Keynes International Festival runs from 18th-27th July! IF: Milton Keynes International Festival We are hosting some excellent events at the Open University - come and check them out! ifmiltonkeynes.org/whats-on/categ… The Open University AstrobiologyOU

IF: Milton Keynes International Festival runs from 18th-27th July! We are hosting some excellent events at the The Open University THIS WEEKEND - come and check them out! lnkd.in/ek3jXK37 🌑 🛰️ ☄️

Collaborators from AstrobiologyOU, The University of Sheffield and Czech Academy of Sciences use the George Chamber to create the near-vacuum-like icy conditions found on Europa (a moon of Jupiter) and Enceladus (a moon of Saturn). 🧊 🌑 🥼 Check out the article here - tinyurl.com/yc8ev49v #OU

HVI & SPE Labs recently had the pleasure of hosting Cranfield University MSc Astronautics & Space Engineering student projects! The students demonstrated innovation and critical thinking focussing on important knowledge gaps in the space industry - Find out more tinyurl.com/hzwrn29a

Last week Vassi Spathis from Space Park Leicester and ODIN Space conducted vertical #impact experiments into #icy moon-like ice targets to investigate penetration of impact #shockwaves. They broke new ground by using the #LGG’s rotation capability to install the target! ☄️