News Story

Dr Geraint Morgan working on a new project for greener satellite propulsion

Sunday 8 Feb 2026

Dr Geraint (Taff) Morgan from the School of Physical Sciences is involved in a SPRINT funding project to to utilise patented valve technology in development of novel water-based propulsion system. Dr Morgan will work with Added Value Solutions (AVS) Ltd, a world-leading designer and developer of bespoke equipment for large science and research infrastructure, on a project that will focus on delivering cleaner and greener alternatives to chemical propulsion systems for satellites, through the use of water.

Dr Morgan said: “During the Rosetta space mission, the OU utilised valve technology for high pressure gas to help with storage and propulsion. The university subsequently developed its own version and patented the valve technology to be used for space and terrestrial applications.

“The OU valve is not designed for the AVS application so we have to convert the design to AVS’ requirements and that’s where the SPRINT funding will support the research, design, testing and manufacture elements of the project. This will enable us to jointly develop this new technology and change the way that satellites are propelled, extending the lifetime and reducing costs of satellites as well as making them greener and safer to fuel.”

The project will be funded by a grant from the £4.8 million SPRINT (SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology) programme that provides unprecedented access to university space expertise and facilities. SPRINT helps businesses through the commercial exploitation of space data and technologies.

You can read more here.