RAF Odiham News

Skip to content

RAF Odiham Technician Works on Space Rocket

The largest rocket ever launched from mainland Britain will contain engineering work crafted by a Royal Air Force technician based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

Starchaser Industries Nova 1 Rocket Launch

General Technicians are the engineering workforce of the RAF. Corporal Stuart Boyle (30) is a member of the Station Workshops Team at RAF Odiham, which supports Project ADDITIVE, a collaborative Astra-led initiative which culminates 3-D printing resources across the RAF.

Cpl Boyle working on the Nova 2
Cpl Boyle working on the Nova 2

Recently, Stuart completed a work experience placement with Starchaser Industries. Established in 1998 Starchaser Industries Ltd is a technology company that specialises in the development, operation and commercialisation of space related products and services.

Starchaser enables new space related opportunities by providing safe, reliable, affordable and reusable access to space for the space tourism and micro-satellite launch markets. Work experiences like this enable RAF personnel to experience different ways of working and bring something new back to the workplace.

Cpl Boyle working on the Nova 2 Capsule 

RAF Workshop Technicians are trained to engineer, manufacture and modify aircraft components and their support equipment. At Starchaser, Stuart helped to design an in-flight fin system using 3D Computer-aided Design (CAD) and Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. This will stabilise their Nova 2 rocket capsule when it releases from the rocket for re-entry. At 13 metres tall, the Nova 2 rocket will be the largest ever launched from the British mainland.

Cpl Boyle using Computer-aided Design Software 

“Stuart joined Starchaser on a four-day placement with the aim of enhancing the design of our current rocket project, Nova 2. He quickly became a valuable asset to the team where he used his knowledge of CAD to design a Grid Fin system which will be used to stabilise the Nova 2 capsule during flight. He also did a great job in our composites workshop, where he created parts for the rocket recovery (parachute) system. Extremely impressed by his efforts, we’d be more than happy to work with Stuart in the future.”

Mr Steven Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Starchaser Industries

Cpl Boyle with CEO Starchaser Industries, Steven Bennett

“It was an excellent opportunity to go to Starchaser and develop something that will be flown in 2021. I learned new skills and opened my eyes to the many parallels between Military aviation and Civil Space Flight. I would also like to thank Steve and his team for the experience.”

Corporal Stuart Boyle, RAF Odiham

Starchaser Industries Skybolt Launch

Stuart’s placement was arranged through the RAF Astra Team. Astra is committed to building the next generation of the Royal Air Force by developing the potential of its people, equipment and networks. Stuart’s placement is an example of how Astra is using different experiences to develop the talents of RAF personnel.

“Astra continues to present brilliant opportunities to our Next Generation RAF. Thank you, Starchaser Industries, for giving RAF Corporal Boyle this experience which has enhanced his skillset which can be translated into his work here at RAF Odiham and Team Additive”.    

Station Warrant Officer and RAF Odiham Astra Lead, Warrant Officer Michael Maguire

Connect with RAF Odiham