Space and Exploration Technology

The Engineer highlighted our NextSpace Testrig (MPEC) facility at the University of Glasgow: a dedicated capability to test the structural integrity of materials intended to be 3D printed in orbit.

The facility recreates key space stressors (hard vacuum, extreme thermal cycling, and mission-relevant loading) to identify failure modes that may not appear in terrestrial testing, helping prevent brittle fracture and fragmentation in orbit.

This provides a practical route to safer qualification of in-space manufacturing processes, supporting both industry adoption and sustainable space operations.

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Further information:

The Engineer article

Shortlist for Collaborate to Innovate Award

Interview (YouTube)

First published: 2 February 2026