Latest news with #SpaceAge
Time Magazine
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
Trump May be Repeating Reagan's Deep Sea Mining Mistake
In late April, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order that many international onlookers viewed as a startling provocation: he directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expedite its process for issuing commercial deep sea mining permits in areas beyond U.S. jurisdiction. This was hardly Trump's first time making brazen claims with respect to lands beyond U.S. borders. The president's unilateral declaration of U.S. authority over the mineral-rich stretches of the international seabed comes in the wake of inflammatory statements about annexing or controlling foreign territory—from Canada to Greenland to the Panama Canal. Trump's offshore minerals order makes no direct territorial claims. But in asserting U.S. authority to regulate commercial seabed mining on the high seas, Trump seeks to bypass an international regulatory regime many decades in the making. In so doing, he threatens to destabilize international oceans governance. History suggests the move may prove counterproductive, undermining concrete American interests in the name of rushing into a speculative new extractive frontier. Scientists first discovered deep sea deposits of manganese, copper, cobalt, and nickel in the form of potato-sized nodules in the 1870s. Yet, for nearly a century, the mining industry took little notice. Seabed nodules were located at profound depth and pressure; extracting them was therefore a complex and capital-intensive process. Interest in commercial recovery began only in the 1960s, when Space Age technologies and Cold War resource anxieties made deep sea nodule harvesting seem both possible and worth the effort. After World War II, a wave of decolonization across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific impeded the Western powers' access to resources once under colonial control. Mining boosters argued that the deep sea could provide a crucial alternative to terrestrial mineral markets controlled by potentially unfriendly postcolonial governments. With mining now technically feasible, the U.S. and other industrialized nations rushed to explore these vast, untapped mineral reserves. The desire of industrialized nations to take advantage of this new mineral frontier prompted questions about whether countries could help themselves to these resources on a first-come, first-served basis, or whether ownership rights belonged to the international community writ large. In 1970, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the latter position, declaring that the international seabed and its vast mineral wealth represented 'the common heritage of mankind.' Developing nations saw deep sea nodule fields as a source of vast wealth that could be distributed to benefit poor and 'geographically-disadvantaged' nations. The U.S. balked. The Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations pushed back against the attempt by developing countries to impose onerous regulatory and redistributive provisions on deep sea mining. Even so, the U.S. expressed a commitment to multilateralism and to the development of a comprehensive ocean governance agreement. In 1974, when a mining CEO wrote to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger asking for U.S. recognition of his company's claim to a stretch of seabed in the middle of the Pacific, the State Department refused. The U.S., the Department explained, supported the creation of an international legal regime and would not issue any unilateral recognition of mineral rights in international waters. But by the late 1970s, as negotiations over a treaty dragged on, Congress grew receptive to industry lobbyists seeking legislation that would protect their investments in mining sites beyond U.S. maritime jurisdiction. In 1980, lawmakers passed the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). This obscure law vested NOAA with the authority to issue permits for mining beyond American jurisdiction until an international regime was put in place. Its drafters intended the law to be an interim measure, one that would soon be superseded by an international treaty. But in 1981, the Reagan Administration upended what were known as the law of the sea negotiations and withdrew U.S. support for the draft treaty over disputes about the deep sea mining provisions. The conservative administration saw the centralized management of seabed mining and associated redistributive principles as problematically socialist and anti-industry. This objection didn't prevent negotiators from completing the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) the following year. However, the U.S. became one of only four nations to vote against the adoption of the treaty. President Bill Clinton eventually signed the UNCLOS implementing agreement in 1994, when the treaty entered into force. But Congress never ratified it, despite the U.N. General Assembly approving changes that directly addressed the U.S.' deep sea mining concerns. In the three decades since, leaders across the aisle have argued that not signing onto the treaty was a mistake. The U.S. views most treaty provisions as customary international law, and thus effectively legally binding. But as a non-party, it has been sidelined when it comes to multilateral negotiations over U.S. claims to the extended continental shelf in the oil-rich Arctic. Additionally, the U.S. has had no direct voice in negotiations over the international seabed mining regime. Even so, until the 2010s, the fact that the Deep Sea Hard Mineral Resources Act remained on the books mattered little in practice. While it authorized the U.S. to unilaterally issue licenses to mine the international seabed area, no major confrontations occurred because nobody really wanted to mine the seabed anymore. Commodity prices had fallen and companies discovered that many initial estimates regarding deep sea mining costs and profitability had been overly optimistic. By the mid 1980s, the companies that had pushed for the DSHMRA no longer saw deep sea mining as particularly commercially attractive. Then came the so-called "clean energy transition." By the mid-2010s, it was clear that the trend toward electric vehicles and other renewables would drive enduring demand for batteries. This spurred renewed interest in deep sea nodules, which contain the nickel, copper, and cobalt required for lithium-ion battery production. Interest in—and opposition to—deep sea mining surged in the early 2020s after the government of Nauru triggered a legal provision demanding that the ISA finalize a regulatory regime and allow commercial-scale mining to move forward after decades of limited 'exploratory' ventures. Scientists, conservation organizations, and a growing cohort of national governments responded by calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining, in light of significant risks posed to marine ecosystems and insufficient knowledge of how mining might impact deep sea environments. This controversy has delayed the finalization of regulations that would permit commercial mining to move forward. These delays at the ISA, in turn, have frustrated corporate actors, like The Metals Company (TMC), which are keen to commence commercial-scale operations in international waters. Enter Trump. American efforts to unilaterally assert regulatory authority over areas of seabed claimed by the international community are not new. But Trump's executive order is particularly inflammatory as he doubles down on a U.S. position that many across the political spectrum view as outdated, despite growing international alarm over the potential adverse impacts of mining. Unlike in 1980, when the DSHMRA was first promulgated, there is now a treaty regime in force with respect to the international seabed that enjoys nearly universal acceptance. The ISA is working to finalize a regulatory regime that will govern if and how such mining should go forward. The most charitable interpretation of Trump's order would be to view it as a helpful prod to ISA negotiators to come quickly to an agreement and to get an international regulatory regime off the ground. But the move can also be seen as yet another tack away from internationalism, and an indication of ultimately self-defeating contempt for international norms and institutions. By showing disregard for the international regime governing the seabed, the U.S. provides moral cover for other countries—including adversaries—to do the same. Moreover, the 'untapped wealth' of the seabed has always been a somewhat chimerical notion, with states tending to overestimate the value of these resources while underestimating costs associated with their extraction. At best, the benefits of deep sea mining are speculative. Trump runs the risk of duplicating the mistakes of the Reagan Administration, which jeopardized the negotiation of a wide-ranging international treaty vital to U.S. national interests, like freedom of navigation, in an effort to cater to private industry actors who quickly abandoned deep seabed mining projects as economic conditions shifted. History suggests that prioritizing a speculative new extractive frontier over international ocean governance institutions could end up doing far more harm to American interests than good. Sonya Schoenberger is a PhD Candidate in History at Stanford University, where she researches decolonization and marine resource governance in Oceania.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Famed Hudson Valley diner — believed to be the last of its kind still standing — asks $1.2M
Talk about dishing up nostalgia. If the Elizaville Diner & Deli could talk, it would probably ask for a slice of cherry pie and a second take. This shimmering Hudson Valley roadside relic, with its candy-striped aluminum skin and curved Space Age roof, is not just a feast for the stomach — but also for the lens. Now listed for $1.2 million, the vintage 1956 Kullman Dutchess diner has become one of the Hudson Valley's most iconic set pieces, doubling as a time capsule and a business opportunity for the next proprietor with a taste for Americana. 16 Perched on a lakeside lot in Columbia County, the Elizaville Diner & Deli is a gleaming slice of 1950s Americana that's now for sale for $1.2 million. This Old Hudson 16 Originally built in 1956 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the Kullman Dutchess prefab diner was rescued from demolition and relocated to upstate New York in 2005. Elizaville Diner and Deli Located in Columbia County's hamlet of Elizaville, the 2-acre property includes the original prefabricated diner — thought to be the last of its kind still standing — and a separate, renovated deli structure overlooking a spring-fed quarry lake. Though both buildings are currently closed to the public, the site has continued to attract filmmakers, musicians and brands. Most notably, it served as the eerie backdrop for Jim Jarmusch's zombie flick 'The Dead Don't Die,' starring Bill Murray and Selena Gomez, and has made cameos in Apple TV+'s 'Brightside' and Rolling Stones-branded content. 'It's really a beautiful spot,' said Shaina Marron, the Houlihan Lawrence broker handling the listing. 16 It was painstakingly restored with original details like terrazzo floors, red vinyl booths, tabletop jukeboxes and a chrome soda fountain. This Old Hudson 16 The only known surviving example of its kind, the Elizaville Diner has since become a sought-after film and photography location, with credits including 'The Dead Don't Die' and Apple TV+'s 'Brightside.' This Old Hudson 16 Though it is currently no longer operating as a diner, the space has continued hosting private events and productions. This Old Hudson 'The owners basically just had a life change and they had to go back to their family … They really did a ton of amazing work on this space and just kind of really taking it to the next level.' The diner's story begins far from the Hudson Valley — back in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where it originally opened as the Eat Well Diner. Constructed in 1956 by Kullman Dining Car Company, it eventually fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition in the early 2000s to make way for a car dealership. That's when the former owners stepped in, rescuing the building just days before its scheduled teardown. 'They paid to have it brought up and kind of sited there and then dug out a full foundation and basement,' said Marron. 'Typically these diners would have just been on a slab. But this one has a full basement underneath it, which has additional storage and also provides the deck work.' 16 A scene from 'The Dead Don't Die,' from left: Danny Glover, Bill Murray and Adam Driver. ©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection 16 The property spans 2 acres and includes a fully renovated adjacent deli building, both connected by a pass-through kitchen. This Old Hudson 16 A look inside the deli space connected to the historic vintage diner. This Old Hudson The relocation in 2005 involved disassembling the diner into three parts and trucking it across state lines — along with 22 counter stools (reportedly dug out from a dirt basement), original booths, Formica-topped tables and even a Jefferson Golden Hour Mystery Clock. Its smoke-stained brass interiors, once dulled by decades of coffee steam and cigarette smoke, revealed their true colors after restoration: blue and chrome, gleaming like new under the soft glow of retro pendant lighting. 'It's got a fully functional kitchen and all equipment comes with it. So it's kind of really ready to roll,' Marron said. Inside, every detail oozes mid-century charm: terrazzo flooring, red vinyl booths, tabletop jukeboxes and a full-service soda fountain behind the counter. 16 Several film and television shows have, and continue to, rent the space for production. The Elizaville Diner and Deli 16 Listing rep Shaina Marron of Houlihan Lawrence said the site is 'ready to roll,' with a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and a full basement — a rare upgrade for a diner of its era. This Old Hudson 16 It also includes parking for over 40 cars and a grassy backyard that slopes down to a spring-fed quarry lake, offering potential for outdoor seating and live music. This Old Hudson 'It has the majority of the original details … a lot of really gleaming chrome aspects to it,' said Marron. The companion deli next door offers a checkerboard-tile aesthetic that wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch dream sequence. The two buildings are connected through a back passthrough, allowing food service to flow between the diner and the deli's walk-in coolers and prep area. The property also includes three bathrooms, ample storage in the cement basement and parking for more than 40 vehicles — making it as functionally viable as it is visually iconic. Its backyard offers sweeping views of the spring-fed quarry, an unusually scenic feature for a commercial property and a possible setting for outdoor dining and events. 16 The current owners, who revitalized the space further over the past four years, are moving due to family needs. This Old Hudson 16 Marron said the community would love to see the new owner maintain the diner's original spirit, though the property's flexible layout allows for a range of uses. This Old Hudson 'There's, I think, a lot of opportunity there to expand it however you see fit,' Marron said. 'You could even expand it in a sense, putting a lot of additional seating out back and having some live music.' Moreover, it all stands in the vicinity of the Hudson Valley's most prime destinations, such as Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Tivoli and Germantown. Marron refers to the location of the diner as a 'sweet center spot.' Although the diner officially closed in the summer of 2024, it remains open to short-term film rentals and special events. Marron said that it's been a magnet for creative productions, and even drew nostalgic attention online when she posted the listing on Instagram. 16 Inside, the space remains a vivid time capsule, from gleaming aluminum finishes to the fully restored Jefferson Golden Hour clock. This Old Hudson 16 The buildings can be used together or separately, with the deli offering event space or retail potential. This Old Hudson 'One of the commenters wrote that his grandfather used to take him to it in Pennsylvania to go get like cherry pie,' she said. Since its Hudson Valley debut nearly two decades ago, the diner and deli have served more than just milkshakes — it has dished out memories, style inspiration and even a bit of small-town stardust. 'The chain of ownership has only been four people total,' Marron noted, adding that its history remains remarkably intact. The original design, down to the tabletop jukeboxes, still echoes with the sounds of a bygone era. 'The community would love to see someone keep it as a diner,' she said. 'Ultimately it's up to the next owner to kind of steward it however works best for their needs. But it really is such a unique listing … I think it would be amazing if it could stay.' 16 The structure is a star in its own right. This Old Hudson Marron believes the time is ripe for diners to make a cultural comeback. 'I grew up on Long Island. Diners were definitely like a way of life,' she said. 'Maybe a real big rise in things like fine dining and the bringing back of people cooking more at home … caused a lull in the middle. But now we're seeing this rise again where people are looking for these community spots to kind of sit and share either a cup of coffee or breakfast or go back to that nostalgic experience.'
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
The dawn of autonomous satellites and the legal vacuum above us
When the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite in 1957, it started the Space Age as the beeping metal sphere transmitted radio signals. Since then, satellites have grown in complexity but their core functions have remained surprisingly static. Most still function as passive tools: capturing images, relaying communications, beaming GPS coordinates to the earth, and so on. But a quiet revolution is now underway above us. Satellites are becoming smarter, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous. Now, say an autonomous satellite operated by a private company malfunctions in orbit. The AI system onboard mistakenly interprets a routine atmospheric anomaly as a collision threat and initiates an unplanned evasive manoeuvre. In doing so, it crosses dangerously close to a military reconnaissance satellite belonging to a rival nation. A crash is narrowly averted but not before that nation lodges a diplomatic protest and alleges hostile intent. The satellite's AI system was developed in one country, launched by another, operated from a third, and registered by a fourth. Who is liable? Who is accountable? Understanding autonomous satellites AI is transforming satellites from passive observers into active, thinking machines. Thanks to recent breakthroughs — from large AI models powering popular applications like ChatGPT to smaller, energy-efficient systems capable of running on smartphones — engineers are now able to fit satellites with onboard AI. This onboard intelligence is technically called satellite edge computing and allows satellites to analyse their environment, make decisions, and act autonomously like self-driving cars on the ground. These AI-powered satellites are emerging from prestigious national labs and startup garages alike and possess game-changing applications: Automated space operations: Independent manoeuvring in space to perform tasks like docking, inspections, in-orbit refuelling, and debris removal Self-diagnosis and repair:Monitoring their own health, identifying faults, and executing repairs without human intervention Route planning: Optimising orbital trajectories to avoid hazards and obstacles or to save fuel Targeted geospatial intelligence: Detecting disasters and other events of interest in real-time from orbit and coordinating with other satellites intelligently to prioritise areas of interest Combat support: Providing real-time threat identification and potentially enabling autonomous target tracking and engagement, directly from orbit Smarter sats, smarter risks This autonomy is not without consequence. AI hallucinations are becoming an important source of misinformation on the ground and they pose a similar threat in the space domain. A satellite hallucinating, misclassifying a harmless commercial satellite as hostile, and responding with defensive actions is currently entirely uncharted territory. Misjudgments like this could escalate tensions between nations and even trigger a geopolitical crisis. As satellites become more intelligent and autonomous, the stakes rise concomitantly. Intelligence brings not just power but also responsibility in technological design and legal, ethical, and geopolitical oversight. In particular, AI's ability to confer autonomy to satellites exposes gaps in the Outer Space Treaty (OST) 1967 and the Convention for International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects of 1972. The OST's assignment of state responsibility for space activities (Article VI), liability for damage (VII), and the Liability Convention's liability provisions assume a human is in control — but AI autonomy challenges this. For example, the 'authorisation and continuing supervision' concept in the OST is rendered ambiguous and the Liability Convention's definitions struggle with AI-caused incidents. The core legal dilemma is fault attribution: who is liable when an AI's decision causes a collision: the launching state, the operator, the developer, or the AI? This human-AI gap coupled with transnational space ventures entangles accountability in jurisdictional and contractual complexities. Further, AI's dual-use capabilities (i.e. civilian + military) create misinterpretation risks in geopolitically sensitive contexts. Addressing these shortcomings requires adapting legal principles, developing new governance frameworks, and in all a multifaceted approach that adapts existing legal frameworks as well as develops new governance mechanisms. Legal and technical solutions Space safety amid AI developments demands synchronised legal and technical evolution. A first step is categorising satellite autonomy levels, similar to autonomous vehicle regulations, with stricter rules for more autonomous systems. Enshrining meaningful human control in space law is crucial, as the 2024 IISL Working Group's Final Report on Legal Aspects of AI in Space emphasised. Global certification frameworks, such as those under the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space or the International Standards Organisations, could test how satellite AI handles collisions or sensor faults; subject it to adversarial (but controlled) tests with unexpected data; and log key decisions like manoeuvres for later review. Since they manage high-risk, cross-border operations, the aviation and maritime sectors offer useful templates. The 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (a.k.a. HNS) and the 1999 Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air use strict liability and pooled insurance to simplify compensation. These models could inform space law, where a single AI malfunction may affect multiple actors. Ethical, geopolitical imperatives AI in space raises critical ethical and geopolitical concerns as well. The potential for AI-driven autonomous weapons is a topic of ongoing discussions within the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and its Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. It raises critical concerns about the lack of human control and the risk of escalation, concerns that are equally applicable to the development of autonomous weapons in space. Thus, international safeguards to prevent an arms race in that domain are necessary. Ethical data governance is also vital thanks to the vast amount of data AI satellites collect and the attendant privacy and misuse risks. Since autonomy can also inadvertently escalate tensions, international cooperation is as crucial as legal and technical development. Shared orbits, shared responsibilities The rise of AI-powered satellites marks a defining moment in humanity's use of outer space. But with thousands of autonomous systems projected to operate in low-earth orbit by 2030, the probability of collisions, interference or geopolitical misinterpretation is rising rapidly. Autonomy offers speed and efficiency but also introduces instability without legal clarity. History shows that every technological leap demands corresponding legal innovation. Railways required tort law. Automobiles brought about road safety legislation. The digital revolution led to cybersecurity and data protection regimes. Space autonomy now demands a regulatory architecture that balances innovation with precaution and sovereignty with shared stewardship. We are entering an era where the orbits above us are not just physical domains but algorithmically governed decision spaces. The central challenge is not merely our ability to build intelligent autonomous satellites but our capacity to develop equally intelligent laws and policies to govern their use, demanding urgent international collaboration to ensure legal frameworks keep pace with technological advancements in space. Shrawani Shagun is pursuing a PhD at National Law University, Delhi, focusing on environmental sustainability and space governance. Leo Pauly is founder and CEO, Plasma Orbital.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
Space Age arrives in Wales as rocket launched from new testing facility
Space Age arrives in Wales as rocket launched from new testing facility A high-altitude balloon was also dispatched to the edge of space The airfield's new Space Test & Training Centre (STTC) blasts off in style (Image: Snowdonia Aerospace Centre ) The Space Age has officially arrived in north Wales following the formal opening of cutting-edge testing facilities in Eryri (Snowdonia). Excitement soared at Llanbedr, Gwynedd, during the grand opening of the Space Test and Training Centre (STTC), with a rocket launch among the displays on show. A host of demonstrations featuring state-of-the-art equipment left dignitaries in awe, with the UK Space Agency's launch director Matt Archer, hailing the STTC as a "significant step forward for the UK's space capabilities". The STTC proudly showcased its impressive arsenal of tools for space exploration including a centrifuge and a vibration table. The newly built centre also has a sophisticated thermal-cycling vacuum chamber among other cutting-edge utilities geared to ensure that Britain's space-bound tech can endure the harsh climes of space environments. With both vertical and horizontal launch options thanks to its versatile rail launchers, the centre is geared up for an array of space missions. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Preparing for lift-off (Image: Snowdonia Aerospace Centre ) In celebration of this significant milestone, Norfolk-based company Launch Access impressed attendees with a live rocket firing show, while a high-altitude balloon ascended into the sky, by Sent Into Space from Sheffield. Article continues below Visitors to the newly-launched space centre were thrilled by the ability to track a CubeSat nanosatellite's journey towards the brink of space from the comfort of the STTC mission control room, reports North Wales Live. The state-of-the-art facility is the result of a collaboration between the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre and Newton Launch Systems. Its establishment was bolstered by £820,000 funding from the UK Space Agency, contributing to over £1.3 million in overall funding. Novel space and near-space technology will be developed at the new testing centre (Image: Snowdonia Aerospace Centre ) UK telecoms minister Sir Chris Bryant heralded the Llanbedr site as a pivotal step for Britain's "space superpower". He said: "The opening of the Snowdonia Space Centre cements our commitment to building a space ecosystem right across the UK. "The centre will not only drive economic growth in North Wales but also inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through its outstanding educational facilities, strengthening Britain's position as a space superpower." The new centre presents companies with affordable entry to high-grade testing grounds, fostering hopes that it will enable the innovation and creation of new tech and products. Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans expressed her delight at attending the official opening of a new centre, describing it as a "real privilege". Alongside representatives from Space Wales, she remarked: "This is a landmark moment not only for the local community – bringing new opportunities, skills, and investment to the region – but also for the wider UK space sector. "Facilities like this will play a crucial role in delivering our National Space Strategy for Wales, strengthening Wales' position as a hub for innovation and helping drive forward the UK's space ambitions." The Snowdonia Aerospace Centre (SAC), situated at the former Llanbedr Airfield, already provides access to Special Use Airspace (SUA) for the development of innovative aerospace systems in the UK, with approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. The SUA has been expanded over Cardigan Bay to support the centre's space testing programme, which includes a larger area for various activities. Additionally, the SAC boasts a flight test range that caters to different aspects of space flight, including rocket-powered vehicles, near-space scientific flights, microgravity research, and trials for re-entry vehicles and payload recovery systems. The centre also plays a vital role in education, offering facilities to support university-level research and STEM learning for primary and secondary students. It has already hosted numerous events focused on rocketry and cansat projects for Welsh pupils. Jeremy Howitt, SAC's technical director, expressed his hopes for the centre by saying: "As well as providing much needed testing facilities to the UK space industry, we hope the centre will help to stimulate local and national interest in the space industry and inspire more young people to engage in a career in the space industry." Article continues below Plans for expanding educational facilities are also on the cards, with ambitions to eventually introduce a new Space Discovery Centre that would include observatories and a planetarium, aimed at boosting astrotourism. Lee Paul, SAC's CEO, enthused about the location's potential: "We are in one of the most accessible and spectacular Dark Skies settings in the world!"
North Wales Live
22-05-2025
- Science
- North Wales Live
Live rocket firing launches Space Age in North Wales
The Space Age arrived in North Wales today (Thursday, May 22) with the formal opening of state-of-the-art testing facilities in Eryri (Snowdonia). A rocket was launched and a high-altitude balloon was dispatched to the edge of space from a disused airfield at Llanbedr, Gwynedd. The new Space Test & Training Centre (STTC) blasted off in style with a series of demonstrations for gathered dignitaries. Among those watching on the UK Space Agency's launch director Matt Archer, who said the new facilities were a 'significant step forward for the UK's space capabilities'. Testing facilities at the newly built STTC includes a centrifuge, vibration table, aerostructures rig and teaching laboratory. Also on site is a thermal-cycling vacuum chamber that simulates the extreme temperatures and near-vacuum of space environments – the idea is to test whether newly developed systems can withstand these conditions. The centre also features a rocket engine test stand and two variable inclination rail launchers. These enable both vertical launches for rockets, and horizontal launches for rocket planes. To mark the facility's unveiling, a live rocket firing demonstration was successfully conducted by Norfolk's Launch Access. In addition, a high-altitude balloon was launched by Sheffield-based Sent Into Space. Via its attached CubeSat nanosatellite, visitors could view and track its progress to the edge of space from the STTC mission control room. The new hi-tech centre is a joint venture between the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre and Newton Launch Systems. To support its development, it received £820,000 from the UK Space Agency as part of a total investment in excess £1.3m. UK telecoms minister Sir Chris Bryant said the Llanbedr facility will help the UK develop into a 'space superpower'. He said: 'The opening of the Snowdonia Space Centre cements our commitment to building a space ecosystem right across the UK. 'The centre will not only drive economic growth in North Wales but also inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through its outstanding educational facilities, strengthening Britain's position as a space superpower.' For the space industry, the new centre provides low-cost access to testing facilities. It is hoped the site will enable companies to accelerate the development of new products and technologies. Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said being at the centre's official opening was a 'real privilege'. Also present were representatives from Space Wales. She added: 'This is a landmark moment not only for the local community – bringing new opportunities, skills, and investment to the region – but also for the wider UK space sector. 'Facilities like this will play a crucial role in delivering our National Space Strategy for Wales, strengthening Wales' position as a hub for innovation and helping drive forward the UK's space ambitions.' Snowdonia Aerospace Centre (SAC) already provides access to Special Use Airspace (SUA) immediately around the former Llanbedr Airfield. This use has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority to support the ongoing development of novel aerospace systems in the UK. To accommodate its space testing programme, the SUA has now been extended to include a larger area over Cardigan Bay. Also at the STTC is a flight test range for trialling various modes of space flight. This provides a dedicated area for rocket-powered vehicles, near-space scientific flights, microgravity research and trials of re-entry vehicles and payload recovery systems. Another crucial remit of the STTC is to provide educational facilities to support universities as well as primary and secondary STEM learning. Already it has hosted several rocketry and cansat-focused STEM events for Welsh pupils. Jeremy Howitt, SAC's technical director, said: 'As well as providing much needed testing facilities to the UK space industry, we hope the centre will help to stimulate local and national interest in the space industry and inspire more young people to engage in a career in the space industry.' It is hoped education and other facilities opportunities can be expanded over time. A key plan, with astrotourism also in mind, is the creation of a new Space Discovery Centre featuring observatories and a planetarium. 'We are in one of the most accessible and spectacular Dark Skies settings in the world!' noted SAC CEO Lee Paul.
