SmallSpark awarded multi-year funding for Mission Planning and Design Automation platform.
Cardiff, UK – 8th February 2024. SmallSpark Space Systems, a Cardiff based, space and defence tech venture, has today announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract through the Welsh Government's Flexible Innovation Funding. This funding supports the development of SmallSpark's next-generation Mission and Systems Design Suite – aptly named Mission Management Suite (‘MMS’).
MMS is a platform that offers mission systems design and execution services to both NewSpace start-ups and established businesses. The platform is set to launch in public BETA in March 2024 and is equipped with AI-assisted mission planning and Mission driven design automation technologies.
Mission Driven Design Automation (‘MDDA’) is the process by which MMS is capable of designing and proposing preliminary designs of space systems to meet specific objectives. The goal is to enable significantly smaller teams to plan and execute both mission and systems design and reduce the burden on engineers performing repetitive, automatable tasks.
SmallSpark CEO, Joseph Ward said “We are thrilled to have received Welsh Government backing for MMS. The additional capital invested is going to significantly accelerate the platforms development and let us more effectively bring artificial intelligence into systems design within the context of mission objectives. Our goal is to reduce some aspects of the design process by over 75%. Most importantly, we are doing this at a price that is affordable to early-stage businesses.”
Mission Management Suite is launching its public BETA on March 8th, 2024, with early access available at Space-Comm 2024, where SmallSpark is exhibiting at stall L10.
SmallSpark to present its AI-Powered Mission Planning and Design Automation technology at NVIDIA GTC
Cardiff, UK - 13/02/2024. SmallSpark Space Systems has announced it has been selected to present details of its upcoming AI-Powered Mission and Systems Design technology as part of its Mission Management Suite at one of the world’s largest AI Developer conferences, NVIDIA GTC.
SmallSpark will showcase its new Mission Driven Design Automation technology at the event. This technology is a part of its Mission Management Suite, which incorporates artificial intelligence with human input to enhance the productivity of the engineers working in the aerospace sector.
Mission Driven Design Automation is a technology developed by SmallSpark that is focused on automating and accelerating the processes taken to bring a spacecraft concept to reality, covering a range of areas from faster numerical modelling and automated design concept exploration to identifying the most financially efficient routes to bring technologies to market.
SmallSpark will be launching its Mission Management Suite on the 8th of March 2024. Users can apply to join the BETA and gain early access at Space-Comm 2024 where SmallSpark will be exhibiting at stand L10.
SmallSpark Space Systems successfully demonstrates rocket motor design automation technology
Cardiff, UK 20th October 2023 – SmallSpark Space Systems, a space technology startup based in Cardiff, is developing a product ecosystem to support the growing cislunar and deep-space economy. Today, the company has achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating the ability of its Digital Fusion technology to support the development of customised solid rocket motors. This is a crucial capability for the business as it aims to create a portfolio of hardware and software solutions that can provide greater agility to the space and defence markets.
SmallSpark's Digital Fusion technology has gained popularity in the defence sector as it enables the development of digital twins using limited experimental data. This technology also allows for objective-based design optimisation. This approach will enable smaller teams to develop complex systems in shorter timelines and will allow engineers to focus on less repetitive design iteration work.
“We are excited to showcase the potential of our Digital Fusion technology in the defence sector, and we look forward to introducing new capabilities to our esteemed customers. SmallSpark is one of the few companies in the UK that continues to push the boundaries of innovation in solid propulsion and other experimental architectures. We are committed to supporting the UK in becoming a leader in propulsion innovation.” - Joseph Ward, CEO.
Small Sparks' digital fusion technology has broad applications beyond propulsion, across fields such as spacecraft design and hypersonic research. By reducing reliance on expensive real-world testing, this technology automates the enhancement of numerical models using real-world data.
SmallSpark will be exhibiting on stand G5 at the UK Space Conference, in Belfast, between 21st-23rd November.
SmallSpark appoints former BAE System Business Development and Strategy Director to Chair of Board of Directors
Cardiff, UK. 26TH September 2023 – SmallSpark Space Systems, a Cardiff based space-tech venture, developing a product and service ecosystem to support the cislunar and deep-space exploration market has today announced the appointment of a new Chairman to its Board of Directors.
The move comes as the company seeks to facilitate a rapid scale up on the back of numerous technological and commercial milestones in 2023. Craig Fennell, who recently left BAE Systems after a 39-year career, brings with him considerable experience and capability, leading core divisions for the company including the Future Programmes team before becoming the Business Development and Strategy Director.
Joseph Ward, CEO and Former Chairman of SmallSpark Space Systems had the following to say
“We are excited to welcome Craig to the SmallSpark team as the head of our board of directors. This appointment demonstrates our commitment to scaling SmallSpark in the next 18 months. Craigs’ experience and knowledge are going to be critical in supporting us to achieve that. Craig’s background in future technologies, business development and international collaboration on dual-use technologies perfectly align with our present and future needs.”
Craig Fennell, newly appointed Chair at SmallSpark Space Systems said
“It’s with great pleasure that I take up the role of Chairman of SmallSpark’s Board. The company's mission to develop a cislunar and deep-space product ecosystem has immense potential to reshape how businesses participate in the space economy. For me, what set SmallSpark apart is its effective development of dual-use technology, bridging the gap between commercial and defence applications in space. I am particularly looking forward to supporting Joe in his role as CEO, and the rest of SmallSpark’s exceptional team, as we collectively focus on accelerating the company's growth. Together, we aim to position SmallSpark as a global leader in this rapidly evolving sector."
SmallSpark Acquires High-Performance Propulsion Assets of Porkchop Space as it Builds Out its Space-Exploration Technology Portfolio
Cardiff, UK – 7th November 2023 – SmallSpark Space Systems a company building a hardware and software ecosystem for cislunar, and deep-space exploration and commercialisation has announced its acquisition of key assets from Porkchop Space, a developer of high-performance electric thrusters for orbit transfer vehicles.
This strategic move highlights SmallSpark's meteoric growth, transitioning from a team of four to twenty-two members in less than eighteen months, while simultaneously attracting top-tier international talent to its management teams. While specific transaction details remain confidential, this acquisition encompasses a diverse array of proprietary propulsion intellectual property (IP), cutting-edge hardware, and machine vision technologies.
By incorporating the assets acquired from Porkchop Space, SmallSpark solidifies its aspiration to become an international frontrunner in the cislunar and deep-space market by delivering comprehensive, integrated solutions to its customers, significantly enhancing its ability to provide efficient, cost-effective in-space solutions, and enabling the company to continue to maintain a competitive presence on the global stage. The tech is expected to be commercially available within the next 12 months, and in anticipation of this launch, SmallSpark is actively collaborating with early adopter customers.
Joseph Ward, CEO of SmallSpark Space Systems, commented on the acquisition, stating, "Porkchop's electric propulsion technology, which we are rebranding under the S4-ARC α and S4-ARC β banner significantly broadens our strategic portfolio and brings us years ahead of schedule in some key technologies. This will allow us to provide high-performance mobility for our customers and to further our mission of supporting a thriving, cislunar economy – and gives us a firm foundation to further scale the technology. This acquisition firmly establishes SmallSpark's commitment to driving the UK's progress in space exploration and significantly accelerates the development of some of our core upcoming services. "
SmallSpark's acquisition of Porkchop's assets not only emphasises its dedication to domestic growth but also signifies its determination to make a significant contribution to the rapidly expanding UK space sector through continuous innovation and investments in innovative technologies, actively shaping the future.