THAT'S ONE GIANT LEAP INTO SPACE

Rocket from Llanbedr site marks new era

- Andrew Forgrave

THE Space Age arrived in North Wales with the formal opening of state-of-the-art testing facilities in Eryri (Snowdonia).

A rocket was launched and a high-altitude balloon was dispatched to the edge of space from a disused airfield at Llanbedr.

The new Space Test & Training Centre (STTC) blasted off in style with a series of demonstrations for gathered dignitaries.

Among those watching on the UK Space Agency's launch director Matt Archer, who said the new facilities were a "significant step forward for the UK's space capabilities".

Testing facilities at the newly built STTC includes a centrifuge, vibration table, aerostructures rig and teaching laboratory.

Also on site is a thermal-cycling vacuum chamber that simulates the extreme temperatures and near-vacuum of space environments - the idea is to test whether newly developed systems can withstand these conditions.

The centre also features a rocket engine test stand and two variable inclination rail launchers. These enable both vertical launches for rockets, and horizontal launches for rocket planes.

To mark the facility's unveiling, a live rocket firing demonstration was successfully conducted by Norfolk's Launch Access on Thursday. In addition, a high-altitude balloon was launched by Sheffield-based Sent Into Space.