National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF)
RAL SpaceDidcot, Oxfordshire
The National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) publishes co-located final-stage integration and environmental testing for spacecraft and large payloads up to 7 tonnes. Its current RAL Space page lists thermal-vacuum, satellite EMC and antenna measurement, and dynamics testing including acoustic, vibration, shock and mass-properties work.
Reviewed by Arc · About this review
Key facts
- Published spacecraft environmental-test scope
- RAL Space says the NSTF provides co-located facilities for final-stage integration and environmental testing of spacecraft and large payloads up to 7 tonnes.
- Published Harwell Campus identity and information route
- UKRI reported that the NSTF is operated by STFC RAL Space and based at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus; RAL Space publishes its Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus address and ralspaceenquiries@stfc.ac.uk.
- Published test categories
- The current RAL Space page describes thermal-vacuum testing, satellite EMC and antenna measurement, plus acoustic, vibration, shock and mass-properties testing.
Testing capabilities
Thermal-vacuum testing
RAL Space describes the Large Space Test Chamber as a bespoke thermal-vacuum chamber for replicating space environments to meet test requirements.
Satellite EMC and antenna measurement
RAL Space says its Electromagnetics Suite carries out EMC testing and antenna measurements of satellites.
Dynamics testing
RAL Space lists large-scale acoustic, vibration and shock, and mass-properties testing through its Dynamics team.
Equipment and published limits
| Specification | Published value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Large Space Test Chamber usable space | 7 m diameter × 12 m long | RAL Space presents this as the usable space of its Large Space Test Chamber in an ISO 8 clean room; it is equipment-specific, not a general facility test envelope. |
Access and contact
RAL Space publishes a contact form and ralspaceenquiries@stfc.ac.uk for facility-use enquiries, alongside its Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus address. Confirm requested configuration, availability, price, lead time and spacecraft acceptance directly with RAL Space.
Facility contact
- Address
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus
Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX - Website
- Official test house website
Standards and accreditation
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
What to confirm with the facility
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Before requesting a test
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Related testing facilities
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Further reading
Public information not available. Contact test facility provider for more information.
Sources and review
Arc reviewed the linked RAL Space pages and UKRI release on 30 September 2026 by direct HTTP retrieval. This is a review of published information, not a facility inspection, test witnessing or confirmation of availability. Confirm the requested configuration, spacecraft suitability and booking terms directly with RAL Space.
Arc publishes this directory entry and does not operate the test facility. Suggest a correction to Arc with a supporting source.
Large Scale Test Facilities | Space Facilities | RAL Space
First-party page used for the NSTF’s published spacecraft environmental-test role, listed test categories and Large Space Test Chamber dimension. It does not establish availability, commercial terms, spacecraft acceptance or a specific test configuration.
First-party page used for the published RAL Space facility-use information route, email and Harwell address. It does not establish booking, capacity, price, lead time or acceptance of a particular spacecraft.
Lift off for UK’s National Satellite Test Facility
UKRI’s 22 May 2024 release is used for contextual support that NSTF was operated by STFC RAL Space and based at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Current capabilities and contact information are taken from the current RAL Space pages.