THE space race looks set to hot up at Harwell Campus with the opening a state-of-the-art laboratory to test future craft.

The latest addition to the European Space Agency's Oxfordshire site is the result of a €1m investment and will be based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL).

A key aim of the lab is to exploit the expertise of the world-leading facilities at Harwell, assess new material processes, joining techniques and 3D printing technologies for space.

Andrew Barnes, technical officer at the new lab, said: "There's a variety of emerging technologies with apparent potential for producing stronger, lighter and cheaper spacecraft structures, but we have to be sure they are fully suitable for space with no show-stoppers.

"Our lab aims to assess candidate materials and manufacturing processes for space missions, 'pre-screening' them early in their development cycle.

"The results from these tests will help the ESA and the wider space industry in deciding where to focus future tech investments.

"We are really excited about how the lab will contribute to not just the space industry but perhaps other science and engineering sectors."

The lab, which will open on Saturday, is equipped with a metal-based additive layer 3D printer, a suite of powerful microscopes, an X-ray, furnaces and equipment for mechanical testing.

Sarah Baker, laboratory research fellow, said: "We can also employ the many world- leading test facilities available on the Harwell campus.

"These include access to semiconductor clean rooms, the central laser facility, the ISIS neutron source and the Diamond Light Source."

Additive Layer Manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is another key focus for the lab, involving parts being built up layer by layer rather than being machined away from bulk material.

Chris Bee, head of business development at Science and Technology Facilities Council, said: "This is exactly the sort of collaboration that brings the whole Harwell Campus community together at its best.

"The laboratory is already driving projects in exciting new areas and though our focus is on components for space, we hope that the laboratory’s impact on the campus can extend well beyond.

"We hope that this will encourage innovation with the UK’s high tech industry sectors, bringing us additional advanced engineering challenges to solve using our cutting edge national facilities."