Abstract of the Offer
First Light Fusion, based in Oxford, UK, has its heritage in fusion science and now offers world class facilities for testing and innovation under extreme conditions. With light gas guns and advanced data science, simulation and machine learning, we provide unique capabilities for space, defence and advanced engineering in pressure and materials research.
Description
The technology offered by First Light comprises a suite of experimental and computational platforms designed to reproduce and study matter under extreme conditions. These facilities include a set of single and two-stage light gas guns and our world-class data science and simulation capabilities. All of our experimental platforms are coupled to world-class diagnostics, enabling high-resolution measurement and validation. Together they enable the generation, measurement, and modelling of high-energy-density environments relevant to both terrestrial and space applications.
The light gas guns are used to accelerate projectiles to hypervelocity, enabling controlled impact experiments. This allows the investigation of shock physics, material response at high strain rates, and the effects of micrometeoroid or orbital debris collisions. Such studies are of particular importance to the space sector, where spacecraft structures, shielding concepts, and payload components must be validated against impact and fragmentation scenarios.
Complementing the physical experiments, First Light offer extremely experienced and sophisticated Data Science and Simulation capabilities. These include predictive models for impact dynamics, hydrodynamic behaviour, and material performance under stress. Combining experiments with high-fidelity computational analysis allows rapid iteration of designs and validation against real-world data, supporting both technology development and mission assurance.
Potential applications in the space domain include:
- Verification of spacecraft shielding against micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts.
- Development of simulation frameworks to predict spacecraft survivability and performance under extreme conditions.
- Support to planetary defence and exploration missions requiring modelling of high-velocity impact events.
By uniting physical testing and computational modelling, this technology provides a comprehensive capability to investigate critical challenges in the design, validation, and protection of space systems.
Advantages and Innovations
The technology integrates large-scale experimental facilities with advanced computational modelling, enabling a multi-faceted approach to studying matter under extreme conditions. The innovative aspect lies in the combination of high-energy experimental platforms. Our light gas guns, directly coupled to a specialist data science capability, is a powerful combination. This allows rapid cycles of experiment, analysis, and simulation, reducing development time compared with fragmented approaches where each capability is accessed separately.
Relative to prevailing alternatives, the light gas gun platforms achieve controlled hypervelocity impacts that closely replicate micrometeoroid and debris strikes, offering repeatable, instrumented tests at scales relevant to spacecraft subsystems. These experiments provide data that cannot be obtained through computational modelling alone, especially for non-linear material behaviours at high strain rates. (Velocities between 0.1km/s to 14km/s)
The location of physical experiments and modelling under one roof in a private facility is a further advantage. Real-time validation of simulations against experimental data ensures higher predictive accuracy while reducing reliance on expensive iterative prototyping. This integrated workflow lowers programme costs and accelerates qualification timelines.
In practical terms, users benefit from:
- Access to impact velocities exceeding several km/s in a controlled, instrumented setting
- Reduced logistical and financial overheads by using co-located facilities
- Improved safety and mission assurance through data-driven validation of spacecraft designs
- A suite of world class diagnostics and experimental scientists
Together, these innovations create a comprehensive platform that offers faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective testing compared with single-method alternatives.