DISC - Satellite Applications Catapult
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DISC

Location: Harwell Campus

DISC provides access to equipment and expertise to help you innovate and accelerate the development of new products and services.

With end-to-end design, modelling, testing – including RF antenna test ranges – and production equipment in a collaborative engineering environment, we can help you develop new solutions for large-scale market opportunities. DISC enables teams to take an R&D project from proof of concept through to a full-sized prototype, manufactured at quality levels and scales sufficient to undertake end-customer validation.

With competitive rates, the facilities are open to industry and academia and provide equipment that is frequently out-of-reach to small or medium-sized companies.

Get in touch with our team – facilities@sa.catapult.org.uk

DISC Capabilities

DISC at Zephyr is a 1150 sqm facility, which provides access to equipment and expertise to help UK companies accelerate the development of new products and services. It includes flexible laboratory and design areas, clean rooms, a vibration table, a thermal oven, and a wide range of other high-tech equipment.

  • Near Field Antenna Test Range

    • The Near-Field Range for full antenna characterisation offers further leverage through emulation for full spectrum simulation. Find out more >>

  • Far Field Antenna Test Range

    • The Far Field Antenna Test Range is part of the DISC facility and offers a 400-metre test range for satellite communications antenna. Find out more >>

  • Compact Antenna Test Range

    • Our Compact Antenna Test Range facility is particularly suitable for the dynamic over-the-air performance testing of electronically steerable antennas and terminals. Find out more >>

  • Clean Rooms

    • We have four 36 sqm ISO 7 Clean Rooms available for hire – all fully equipped with standard electrical supplies, electro-static discharge tables, and ESD flooring, compressed clean air lines, and wi-fi. Clean rooms are available to rent for periods of as little as a month (subject to availability). Find out more >>

  • Lab Space

    • We have two dedicated lab spaces each with ESD flooring and tables. Lab 1 is 39 m2 while Lab 2 is 18 m2.

  • Design Space

    • Within the facility we have a flexible lab and design space of approximately 136m2.

  • Vibration Table

    • Our Vibration Table gives you confidence in your product’s reliability with a Sine and Random force of 22kN. Our experts are on hand to support with each stage of your product’s development. Find out more >>

  • Environmental Chamber

    • As part of our DISC facility we offer an Environmental Testing capability – with a 1076 litre capacity and a Temperature range -75°C to 180°C. Find out more >>

  • TVAC

    • Our Thermal Vacuum Chamber allows you to see how your satellite or component will perform in the vacuum of space. Find out more >>

    Oscilloscopes and electronic components on a reflective blue surface.

    Radio Frequency Equipment

    • R&S® SMW200A Vector Signal Generator
    • R&S® FSW50 Signal Analyser
    • R&S® ZNB40 Vector Network Analyser
    • Keysight FieldFox Handheld Microwave Test System
    • Keysight Technologies PROPSIM Channel Emulator F8B4CH-C80
    Read a full break down of all RF equipment

    Equipment

    FieldFox

    SMW200A Signal Generator

    Sailor 250 FB Antenna

    R&S Power Sensor

    Phase/Amplitude Shifters

    PCB inspection station with dome light, x10 lense and monitor

    PCB Inspection Camera

    Kurtz Ersa

    High Speed Agilent MSO X 4154A Mixed signal Analyser - Oscilloscope

    FSW 50 Signal and Spectrum Analyser

    Oscilloscope - 4 Ports

    Vector Network Analyser - 4 Ports

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    Get in touch

    We can help you identify where you are on your development journey, connect you with industry experts, and highlight relevant equipment – facilities@sa.catapult.org.uk

    Gallery

    Modern building with vertical panel design, large windows, and a red "CATAPULT" sign; handicapped parking spaces in front.
    Wooden facade of a modern building labeled "CATAPULT" above a glass entrance.
    A scientist in a white lab suit and gloves works on a laptop at a laboratory workstation.
    Cleanroom with reflective floor, blue industrial door, empty workstations, and chairs along the white walls.
    Lab technician in protective gear examines a sample under a microscope in a laboratory setting.
    Technician in white suit and blue gloves inspects a circuit board under a magnifying lamp, with a laptop nearby.
    Technician in white coveralls operates equipment in a cleanroom environment.
    Person in lab coat and gloves operates industrial equipment in a sterile room.
    Person in lab gear operating equipment with ACS logo, wearing blue gloves and a protective suit.
    Person in lab coat and gloves opens a large, stainless steel industrial incubator with fans inside.
    Large lab equipment labeled "discovery" by ACS in a sterile room with a blue wall and white shelving.
    A clean, empty laboratory room with three chairs and desks, featuring a blue roll-up door and polished gray floor.
    A technician in protective gear stands next to a large metallic chamber with various valves and pipes in a cleanroom.
    Person in protective gear operates large industrial equipment with open cylindrical chamber in a clean room.

    Customise Your Support

    By You

    Your technology innovation, whether that be a product or service, can be tested and developed at our facilities.

    With You

    Your ideas are supported at each stage of your development journey with help from our experts.

    For You

    Your product, empowered by our experts. Bridge gaps in your technical knowledge as our team leads the process.

    Related Facilities

    A vibration testing machine in a lab with a metal platform and control cabinets in the background.

    Vibration Table
    Anechoic chamber with blue, pyramid-shaped foam panels and a stand with a microphone inside.

    Near-Field Antenna Test Range
    Metal structure with large satellite dishes and equipment, set against a blue sky and fenced area.

    Far-Field Antenna Test Range

    Contact Our Team