{"id":7,"date":"2017-05-01T12:28:02","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T12:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielspacemission.wordpress.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-10-01T16:03:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T14:03:49","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arielmission.space\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LATEST NEWS: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ariel undergoes the UK\u2019s first space acoustic tests<\/strong> – 07 April 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teams from RAL Space, Active Space Technologies and the European Space Agency setting up acoustic tests in the NSTF. Credit: STFC RAL Space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ariel, the European Space Agency\u2019s next-generation mission to observe the chemical makeup of distant extrasolar planets, underwent tests designed to simulate the intense acoustic environment of rocket launch at the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NSTF\u2019s Dynamics Suite is home to 48 large speakers and amplifiers which can be configured to simulate the incredibly loud acoustic environment typical of a rocket launch. This testing, known as direct field acoustic noise (DFAN) testing, is vital to ensure the structural integrity of space components.

The NSTF team has successfully completed its first DFAN tests conducted on components for the Ariel space telescope, marking a significant milestone for the facility and the UK space sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To continue reading the full Ariel announcement, click<\/strong><\/em> HERE<\/strong><\/a> or go to the<\/em><\/strong> PRESS RELEASES PAGE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSTF Ariel Contract Signing Announcement <\/strong>– 23 July 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Left to Right: Professor Giovanna Tinetti (Ariel Principal investigator), Dr Rachel Drummond (Ariel project manager), Dr Sarah Beardsley (Director, RAL Space), and Dr Charly Knight (Principal Test Engineer, RAL Space) stand outside the new National Satellite Test Facility. Credit: STFC RAL Space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The European Space Agency\u2019s (ESA) Ariel will be one of the first astronomy missions to use the UK\u2019s new National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF), operated by STFC RAL Space. An opening ceremony for the NSTF was held on 21st<\/sup> May 2024, where the UK Space Agency announced they have signed a contract to use the NSTF for testing the Ariel payload. Ariel will go through vibration and acoustic testing in the NSTF to ensure it will survive the violent conditions of launch, as well as thermal vacuum testing in RAL Space\u2019s smaller scale facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Eccleston, the Ariel Mission Consortium Manager at RAL Space<\/strong>, said \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have formalised the agreement for Ariel to use the NSTF dynamics facilities for the payload module\u2019s vibration and acoustic testing. Using these fabulous new facilities alongside the other RAL Space cleanrooms and thermal vacuum chambers will allow us to seamlessly integrate, test and calibrate the complex payload for this exciting mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, <\/strong>said \u201cThe Ariel NSTF contract signing represents a major step forward for the Ariel exoplanet mission as the first hardware begins to take shape this year, ahead of launch in 2029.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The NSTF Vibration Suite undergoing construction. Credit: STFC RAL Space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To continue reading the full Ariel announcement, click<\/strong><\/em> HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ariel Passes Major Milestone<\/strong> – 3 August 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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