SSTD has 250 staff dedicated to supporting the programmes of the Particle Physics and Astromony Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council, as well as undertaking a large number of contracts for agencies, industry and other commercial customers.

The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) provides world-leading research and technology development, space test facilities, instrument and mission design, and studies of science and technology requirements for new missions. SSTD has ISO9001:2000 certification for the work it undertakes on space and ground-based instruments.

Much of the Department's work is in collaboration with UK university research groups and a range of institutes around the world. Most of these collaborations have been set up to support European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA missions, though RAL is also working on projects with other countries and organisations including Australia, Japan, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia and the European Union.

RAL is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which supports the programmes of the other research councils. SSTD is a partner member of the British National Space Centre (BNSC).

Within our Department we provide opportunities for hosting scientists and engineers on sabbatical leave, visiting scientists on short term visits and for university sandwich course students on one-year placements. SSTD also provides graduate engineer training and CASE studentships. For more information see the STFC website.

How to find us:

The Space Science and Technology Department is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Didcot in Oxfordshire:

Space Science and Technology Department
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxon, UK
OX11 0QX
 +44 (0)1235 445552
 +44 (0)1235 445808