There are few more demanding and challenging sectors than space. For more than 25 years we have been the leading UK supplier of transit and storage containers for both flight hardware and ground support equipment to the global space sector. With deadlines to meet and the most valuable of cargo to protect, many of the world’s leading space companies put their trust in us to design, develop and supply all their container requirements.

Our in-house designed protective cases and containers have been shipped to launch sites all over the world with many undergoing numerous repeat missions before being reconfigured for fresh challenges. From satellites to propulsion systems, hand carry cases to 4.5m high containers, 5kg to 800kg payloads we have the capability to meet the needs of the space sector.

The UK is a major supplier and integrator of space hardware and mechanical ground support equipment and Barum & Dewar is long established as a key partner to clients in this market. Over the past decade the business has continued to grow into Europe and beyond which has brought new client challenges, allowing the team at Barum & Dewar to build upon existing experience and strengthen its offering for the sector.

With £33m of new funding for over 20 new space projects announced this week by the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme, the sector continues to thrive and this investment highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with international partners.

Andy Harrison, Technical Design Manager at Barum & Dewar said:

“Working in this sector brings an exactness and attention to detail that we apply in all our projects, whether in this sector or other areas that we operate in. Knowing that we operate in the Space sector brings confidence to new and existing clients. We appreciate the importance of design and durability needed and this has enabled us to innovate, explore new technologies and ultimately bring high quality technical products to this industry for over 25 years which we look forward to continuing into 2025 and beyond.”

What excites you about a new design challenge?

Being involved in the space sector, B&D is increasingly approached by new clients with new protective packaging requirements for flight hardware. Not only do these new projects create interest around the contents we’re being asked to protect and the space missions that these are part of, but we’re also being challenged by new customer requirements that push the B&D capability. At B&D we are proud to deliver sustainable and robust packaging for the safe transport of highly sensitive space equipment.

What has been one of the biggest design challenges you have faced to date?

The challenge often revolves around scale, whether it's dealing with numerous components or large-sized items. When presented with a new brief, we must always carefully consider how to approach the project and our design process has been tried, tested and refined over the years. We embrace new challenges as they arise, recognising them as opportunities for growth. With our in-house expertise and skills, supplemented by support from suppliers when necessary, we are well-equipped to tackle these projects head-on.

What project have you been most proud to be involved with?

The SuperNEMO experiment by University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) was an international collaboration to search for very rare and special nuclear decays which, if observed, would have huge implications for physics and cosmology.

Construction, assembly and transportation of the instrument had to be carried out in a carefully controlled and clean environment to avoid any contamination. The instrument was a one-off design and had taken many years to develop, therefore absolute confidence was required for the protective transit solution to ensure the mission was a success.

We built two highly bespoke DELTA containers with wire rope shock mounted frames to transport the detector instrument, from a clean room in the UK to its destination, 10 miles underneath the French Alps. The vibration damping frame was required to be continually purged with dry air throughout the journey, and the attached sensors monitored humidity, pressure and temperature while bagged within the DELTA container.

The sheer complexity of the requirement combined with the project purpose made it a milestone project to be involved with.

Barum & Dewar has secured another follow-on order from leading space company, In-Space Missions. This latest contract will see Barum & Dewar deliver a set of three bespoke DELTA style satellite containers along with a similar number of custom manufactured integration trolleys.

In-Space Missions are working with BAE Systems to provide the capability to design, build, launch and operate their Azalea satellites. Azalea Cluster 1 will be launched into low Earth orbit to deliver high-quality information and intelligence in real time from space to military customers. It will boost the UK’s ability to understand the threats and hazards in, from and through space and will be launch-ready by the end of 2024, scheduled to launch in 2025.

Azalea will use a range of sensors to collect radar and radio frequency (RF) data, which will be analysed by on board machine learning on edge processors to deliver the resulting intelligence securely, anywhere in the world while still in orbit.

Unlike conventional, single-purpose satellites, the cluster can be fully reconfigured whilst in orbit in the same way a smartphone installs a new app; this ensures it can deliver future customer missions and expands the lifecycle of the satellites.

David Frame, Managing Director, said “Having previously supplied the satellite containers for a previous mission – Titania, B&D are delighted to be working with the team at In-Space once again on this latest project. All containers and supporting integration trollies are scheduled for delivery later this month, ahead of schedule and on budget.”

Image Credit: In-Space Missions

The Barum & Dewar team is delighted once again to be attending Eurosatory on the 18-19th June in Paris. The event creates the opportunity for the global defence and security industry to connect in full force, through bringing together the international players and the supply chain to network and build business relationships.

Held every two years in Paris, Eurosatory offers a unique opportunity to meet manufacturers and start-ups from all over the world, along with public and private Defence and Security market players. There is an engaging programme of lectures and round table discussions and attendees can discover the latest industry advancements at the global showcase for innovation, gaining insight into the sector’s prospects and developments.

David Frame, Managing Director, commented, “Eurosatory only comes around every second year so it’s always a privilege to go along and experience it. With over 100,000 visitors expected this year, it is a huge event and a great showcase of global advances in Defence and Security, key B&D sectors. We are looking forward to connecting with our UK and European clients and suppliers on a face-to-face basis and building upon our existing partnerships”. 

The team will be at the conference on 18th-19th June and would be delighted to meet with our valued clients and contacts. Please email d.frame@barumanddewar.com to arrange a meeting.

Following the publication of the Macfarlane Group’s latest sustainability report, the Barum & Dewar team would like to extend our congratulations to everyone involved across the Group in the latest reported achievements. ESG continues to rise higher on our agenda and on our clients’ agendas and we are proud to be part of a Group that priorities this commitment and delivers successfully on its goals.

Key highlights of the report include:

• 22% absolute reduction in Macfarlane’s carbon footprint and a 37% reduction in carbon sales intensity since 2019
• Nearly 90% of the Group’s electricity now comes from certified renewable sources
• Significant improvement in the Group’s Customer Net Promotor score to 60 (2022: 50)
• Over a third of the senior leadership team are female and Macfarlane Group achieved a 0% gender pay gap
• Extensive support to the Group’s charity partners through volunteering, logistics and raising vital funds

Commenting on the results of the 2023 report, David Patton, Macfarlane Group’s Head of Sustainability said: “Our 2023 Sustainability Report shows progress across a number of areas as we reduce our own impact on the environment but also work with our customers and suppliers to reduce theirs. We will continue to build on this progress and use our position to advance our social agenda too; supporting our colleagues, creating a great place to work and being a force for good in the local communities where we operate.”

The full report can be viewed here: [Sustainability Report]