A new state-of-the-art laboratory designed to advance the UK’s satellite propulsion capabilities has officially opened at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

The Disruptive Experimental Electric Propulsion (DEEP) Lab, developed by space technology firm Magdrive, provides British companies with advanced facilities to develop and test electric propulsion systems—the technology that enables satellites to manoeuvre, maintain orbit, and travel further in space while using less fuel than traditional chemical rockets.

The £3.8 million facility was established through a combination of £1.8 million from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) and £2 million of private investment from Magdrive. While Magdrive will be the lab’s primary user, the 10,000-square-foot facility is open to start-ups, established aerospace firms, and academic researchers across the UK space sector.

Government support for innovation

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:  “From ambitious start-ups to established aerospace firms, this facility will give British companies access to testing capabilities that were previously out of reach. Electric propulsion is shaping the future of how we operate in space, and by investing in infrastructure like this we are ensuring that UK innovators can lead the way.  

By opening its doors to the wider space community, the DEEP Lab will accelerate the pace of discovery and help cement the UK’s reputation as a global leader in space technology”.

Mark Stokes, CEO and co-founder of Magdrive, said:  

“We’re delighted to officially unveil the DEEP Lab to the UK space community. A huge thanks goes to the UK Space Agency for supporting us setting up a world-class R&D facility. This milestone accelerates the commercialisation of our next generation And DEEP Lab isn’t just for us, it’s open to companies, startups and academics across the sector, it will also create new opportunities for collaboration and discovery, and to boost national capability and put the UK on the map as a leader in electric propulsion technology”.

Cutting-edge capabilities

Electric propulsion is increasingly vital for satellite operations, offering efficiency and enhanced manoeuvrability in orbit. The DEEP Lab is equipped with six key facilities, including:

- Cleanroom assembly areas

- Mechanical prototyping workshops

- Advanced plasma diagnostic testing chambers

The facility’s centerpiece is a two-metre diameter vacuum chamber, enabling comprehensive thruster testing and validation. Magdrive has adapted plasma diagnostics used in fusion research to the electric propulsion sector, allowing engineers to monitor plasma behaviour from multiple angles.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:  “The opening of Magdrive’s DEEP Lab is a fantastic example of how targeted investment can deliver real impact for the UK space sector. Our funding will not only help create 50 highly skilled jobs but has also established a world-class facility that addresses a genuine gap in our national infrastructure. 

Electric propulsion is fundamental to the future of satellite technology, and by providing accessible testing capabilities, DEEP Lab will accelerate innovation across the industry. We’re particularly pleased to see this facility supporting start-ups and smaller companies who previously faced barriers to testing and developing their technologies”.

Since its launch in 2023, the SCIF has awarded over £45.6 million to 13 projects, leveraging £43.8 million in match funding from the sector—a combined investment of nearly £90 million in UK space research infrastructure. SCIF-supported projects have already helped attract over £50 million in additional private and public funding.

Collaborative innovation

The DEEP Lab is designed for flexibility. Companies and researchers can rent individual rooms or equipment under pricing models covering operational costs, while advanced security measures ensure access only to booked areas.

A fully equipped on-site workshop, including a Hurco 5-axis machine and 3D printers, allows rapid prototyping. A full-time machinist supports users, significantly reducing development times.

Strengthening the UK space ecosystem

Founded in 2020, Magdrive has raised over £10 million in funding, including support from the UK and European Space Agencies. The company develops next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems from its Oxfordshire base.

Situated within the Harwell Space Cluster, Magdrive benefits from proximity to over 100 other space organisations, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The DEEP Lab represents a major boost to UK space infrastructure, offering domestic companies world-class facilities to develop propulsion technologies that will power future satellite missions and keep the UK at the forefront of global space innovation.

Jim Stretton, Managing Director of Harwell Campus, said:   “Magdrive shows what’s possible when public and private investment align within a strong innovation ecosystem. Supported by Harwell’s unique mix of government, academic and commercial partners, the company has scaled from incubator space to a new campus base and has now opened the DEEP Lab.  

We’re delighted to see Magdrive operating world-class infrastructure that will help smaller space companies accelerate the development of new technologies across the space sector”.