RAL Space, based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), carries out space research and technology development.
Ian HORSFALL will give a talk on the group that reproduces the dynamic mechanical environment that spacecraft or satellites experience during launch and, to some extent, during operations.
After graduating with a BSc in Materials Technology from the University of Surrey, Ian pursued research in fabrication of metal matrix composites through posts at University of Surrey, ICI plc and Cranfield University. While at Cranfield he taught a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate course in materials and military engineering and completed a PhD in stab resistant body armour. He was appointed the Cranfield professor of armour systems in 2005 having established the Impact and Armour Group which operated research and trials activities in high strain rate materials properties, armour and medical aspects of protective clothing. In 2019 he finally satisfied his childhood dream to become a rocket scientist by moving RAL Space. He leads the Dynamics groups activities in vibration and shock testing spacecraft hardware and is managing the expansion of its activities to large spacecraft. testing in the newly established National Satellite Test Facility.
