Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Opportunities
Research Projects
Postgraduate research topics currently available are listed on the following Research theme(s):
I especially welcome applicants interested in the following topics:
- Spacecraft systems engineering
- Dynamics of spacecraft interactions with the atmosphere/orbital aerodynamics
- Experimental gas beam physics for atomic oxygen scattering
- Astrodynamics
- Space debris mitigation
Other research
Research grants
Complete ListOther research
Research themes and Research centers
Biography
Dr Peter Roberts is a specialist in space technology development focussing on orbital aerodynamic technologies. His activities cover the full life cycle of technology development from concept through to in-orbit operations. Technology areas developed include:
- aerodynamic materials for drag reduction enabling commercially sustainable missions in very low Earth orbits (VLEO)
- aerodynamic modelling for VLEO satellite conceptual design optimisation
- aerodynamic attitude control
- end-of-life drag sails
His research has resulted in several spaceflight activities including the Icarus drag sail on TechDemoSat, and the demonstration of aerodynamic materials on the Satellite for Orbital Aerodynamics Research (SOAR), which was launched and operated by the University of Manchester in 2021-22.
His research has been funded by a number of sponsors including the European Commission, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, DARPA, Thales Alenia UK, EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space), SSBV, and the EPSRC. He has experience of running large consortium grants having been the scientific coordinator of the Horizon 2020 funded DISCOVERER programme (DISCOVERER.space).
Research interests
- Spacecraft systems engineering
- Dynamics of spacecraft interactions with the atmosphere/orbital aerodynamics
- Experimental gas beam physics for atomic oxygen scattering
- Astrodynamics
- Space debris mitigation
- I welcome enquiries from anyone interested in studying for a PhD in these areas
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Areas of expertise
- TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
- QC Physics
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Aerospace Research Institute
- Advanced materials
- Policy@Manchester
- Sustainable Futures
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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System design study of a VLEO satellite platform using the IRS RF helicon-based plasma thruster
Herdrich, G., Papavramidis, K., Maier, P., Skalden, J., Hild, F., Beyer, J., Pfeiffer, M., Fugmann, M., Klinker, S., Fasoulas, S., Souhair, N., Ponti, F., Walther, M., Wiegand, A., Walpot, L., Duesmann, B., Borras, E. B., Roberts, P. C. E. & Crisp, N. H., 1 Feb 2024, In: Acta Astronautica. 215, p. 245-259Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile190 Downloads (Pure) -
The Impacts on Terrestrial Astronomy from Very Low Earth Orbit Telecommunications Constellations
Muirhead, I., Roberts, P., Crisp, N. H. & Mcgrath, C., 8 Oct 2024, (Submitted) p. 1-10. 10 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
File53 Downloads (Pure) -
A review of satellite-based atomic oxygen sensing methods
Holmes, B., Roberts, P. & Abrao Oiko, V. T., 4 Feb 2023, In: Progress in Aerospace Sciences. 137, 100886.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Design and optimisation of a passive Atmosphere-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) intake
Rapisarda, C., Roberts, P. C. E. & Smith, K. L., 1 Jan 2023, In: Acta Astronautica. 202, p. 77-93Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
1st Symposium of Very Low Earth Orbit Missions and Technologies
Roberts, P. C. E., 1 Oct 2022, In: CEAS Space Journal. 14, 4, p. 605-608 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Open AccessFile38 Downloads (Pure)
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Space Systems Research Group
Smith, K. (PI), Roberts, P. (PI), Crisp, N. (PI), Mcgrath, C. (PI), Parslew, B. (CoI), Hollingsworth, P. (CoI), Utyuzhnikov, S. (CoI), Lo, K. C. J. (Researcher), Muirhead, I. (PGR student), Wijacinski, K. (PGR student), Kent, B. (PGR student), Mackintosh, J. (PGR student) & Lopez Pardo, B. (PGR student)
Project: Research
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DISCOVERER: Disruptive Technologies for Very Low Earth Orbit Platforms
Roberts, P. (PI), Edmondson, S. (CoI), Haigh, S. (CoI), Smith, K. (CoI) & Crisp, N. (Researcher)
1/01/17 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
Prizes
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The Engineer's Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Aerospace and Defence Award Winner - The DISCOVERER Project
Roberts, P. (Recipient), 9 Feb 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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DARPA VLEO Panel session - Very Low Earth Orbit flight experience
Roberts, P. (Speaker)
24 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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Pint of Science talk: Very Low Earth Orbits, Space Debris and Space Sustainability
Roberts, P. (Speaker)
14 May 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation › Research
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University of Stuttgart
Roberts, P. (Secondee)
2024 → 2036Activity: External visiting positions or secondments › Visiting an external academic institution › Research
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DISCOVERER –Radically Redesigning Earth Observation Satellites for Commercially Viable Sustained Operation at Significantly Lower Altitudes: Orbital Aerodynamics Aspects
Roberts, P. (Speaker)
26 Feb 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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KEYNOTE: DISCOVERER - Making Commercial Satellite Operations in Very Low Earth Orbit a Reality
Roberts, P. (Keynote speaker)
24 Oct 2019Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
Impacts
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Very Low Earth Orbits (VLEO) satellites - impacts from the DISCOVERER project
Roberts, P. (Participant), Smith, K. (Participant), Crisp, N. (Participant), Edmondson, S. (Participant) & Haigh, S. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Technological, Policy
Datasets
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ADBSat: Methodology of a novel panel method tool for aerodynamic analysis of satellites
Sinpetru, L. A. (Contributor), Crisp, N. H. (Contributor), Mostaza-Prieto, D. (Contributor), Livadiotti, S. (Contributor) & Roberts, P. C. E. (Contributor), Mendeley Data, 14 Mar 2022
DOI: 10.17632/622n2yjg4w.1, https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/622n2yjg4w
Dataset
Press/Media
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The modern space race must embrace sustainable construction, say researchers
21/06/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
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How low can satellites go? VLEO entrepreneurs plan to find out
5/10/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
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Manchester scientists launch low-orbit satellites on SpaceX mission
26/05/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment