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
Areas of expertise
- TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
- QC Physics
Research Highlights, Institutes and Platforms
- Aerospace Research Institute
- Advanced materials
- Policy@Manchester
- Sustainable Futures
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):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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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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Efficiency metrics and numerical simulation procedure for atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) intake designs
Agir, M. B., Crisp, N., Smith, K., Roberts, P., Xiang, Z., Newsam, M. & Griffiths, M., 24 Jan 2026, In: Acta Astronautica.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Investigation of Surface Characteristics in the Modelling of a Hybrid Atmosphere-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) Intake
Agir, M. B., Crisp, N., Smith, K., Roberts, P., Menon, G., Xiang, Z., Newsam, M. & Griffiths, M., 1 Dec 2026, In: Acta Astronautica. 249, Part A, p. 815-831Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Flow Parameters and Wall Models on Gas-Surface Interactions in ABEP Applications
Agir, M. B., Crisp, N. H., Smith, K. S. A. U., Roberts, P., Newsam, M., Griffiths, M. & Vaidya, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press).Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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How Atmosphere Breathing Electric Propulsion Impacts Spacecraft Geometric Design and Layout
Kent, B., Roberts, P. & Crisp, N., 1 Jan 2025, 75th International Astronautical Congress. International Astronautical Federation, IAF, p. 653-663 11 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open AccessFile119 Downloads (Pure) -
Modeling the Optical Impact of the Second-generation Starlink Satellite Constellation
Muirhead, I. (Lead), Crisp, N. H., Mcgrath, C. & Roberts, P., 11 Sept 2025, In: The Astronomical Journal. 170, 4, 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Aerospace Engineering
Smith, K. (PI), Filippone, A. (PI), Crisp, N. (PI), Mcgrath, C. (PI), Roberts, P. (PI), Hollingsworth, P. (PI), Utyuzhnikov, S. (PI), Nair, M. (Researcher), Parslew, B. (PI), Bojdo, N. (PI), Wood, K. (PI), Nabawy BSc, MSc, PhD, MRAeS, SMAIAA, FHEA, M. (PI), Zhong, S. (PI), Ladosz, P. (PI), Carew, T. (PI), Quinn, M. (PI), crowther, W. (PI), Ozer, O. (Technical team), Marsh, C. (Technical team), Kennaugh, A. (Technical team), Nadeem, J. (PGR student), Kent, B. (PGR student), Agir, M. B. (Researcher), Efimov, I. (Researcher), Wijacinski, K. (PGR student), Az Eldin, H. (PGR student), Malik, M. (PGR student), Lopez Pardo, B. (PGR student), Mackintosh, J. (PGR student), Yates, P. (Technical team), Muirhead, I. (PGR student), Treblow, S. (PGR student), Singh, K. (PGR student), Gurbuz, M. T. (PGR student) & Abdulla, M. A. (PGR student)
1/09/10 → 31/08/35
Project: Research
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Space at Manchester
Smith, K. (PI), Crisp, N. (PI), Roberts, P. (PI), Foster, T. (PI), Jeevendrampillai, D. (PI), Agir, M. B. (Researcher), Bourne, N. (CoI), Allmendinger, R. (CoI), Koehler, S. (CoI), Dresner, D. (CoI), Storchi, R. (CoI), Falkowska, M. (CoI), Peakman, A. (Affiliate), Quinn, M. (CoI), Hollingsworth, P. (CoI), Utyuzhnikov, S. (CoI), Modell, S. (CoI), Stappers, B. (CoI), Thornton, A. (CoI), Thomas, C. (CoI), Allen, A. (CoI), Farrell, M. (CoI), Browning, P. (Affiliate), Ryder, P. (PGR student), Garrett, M. (CoI), Marsh, L. (CoI), Li, Q. (CoI), Cobb, S. (CoI), Joy, K. (CoI), Piccirillo, L. (CoI), Fisher, M. (CoI), Harris, A. (CoI), Cowpe, J. (Technical team), Soutis, C. (Affiliate), Cocco, P. (Affiliate), Milosavljevic, N. (CoI), Turner, J. (CoI), Gautam, P. (PGR student), Allen, G. (CoI), Porumb, V.-A. (CoI), Bellamy, R. (CoI), Battye, R. (CoI), Rakhi, P. (CoI), Buckley, P. (CoI), Beswick, R. (CoI), Xiao, P. (CoI), Collins, E. (CoI), Dixon, C. (CoI), Pritchard, R. (CoI), Schultz, D. (CoI), Mingo, B. (CoI), Waller, L. (Researcher), Kotselidis, C.-E. (CoI), Snape, J. (CoI), Foster, T. (PI), Crowther, S. (CoI), De Bo, G. (CoI), Domingos, M. (CoI), Binks, D. (CoI), Mamman, J. (Researcher), Gaydecki, P. (CoI), Lawless, B. (Researcher), Lee, E. (CoI), Ebruka, N.-H. (PGR student), Lyon, I. (Affiliate), Da Conceicao Bispo, P. (CoI), Withers, P. (CoI), Currell, F. (CoI), Chernyavsky, I. (CoI), Bempong-Manful, E. (CoI), Mason, L. (PGR student), O'Brien, T. (CoI), Jones, E. (PGR student), Dennis, L. (CoI), Bull, P. (CoI), Parkes, B. (CoI), Gilmour, J. (CoI), Zhao, P. G. (CoI), Cimpan, I. (CoI), Gibson, M. (CoI), Smith, G. (CoI), Edmondson, S. (CoI), Conselice, C. (CoI), Barrett, E. (CoI), Garrington, S. (CoI), Coulson, B. (Researcher), Zhong, S. (CoI), Tartese, R. (CoI), Mcgrath, C. (CoI), Harish, A. (CoI), Sarov, A. (Technical team), Bradlaugh, A. (Researcher), McMorrow, J. M. (CoI), Brown, T. (CoI), Chluba, J. (CoI), Sutcliffe, S. (Researcher), Jones, R. (CoI), Thottungal Ravy, D. (Affiliate), Nair, M. (CoI) & Mcculloch, M. (CoI)
Project: Research
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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), Nair, M. (Researcher), Agir, M. B. (Researcher), Singh, K. (PGR student), Treblow, S. (PGR student), Malik, M. (PGR student), Az Eldin, H. (PGR student), Yates, P. (Technical team), Efimov, I. (Researcher), Nadeem, J. (PGR student), Arumugam, S. (PGR student), Slater, A. (PGR student), Johnston, M. (PGR student), Milne, C. (PGR student), Thomas, C. (PGR student), Baig, M. M. T. (PGR student), Javagal, S. (PGR student), Singh, K. (PGR student), Zhou, J. (PGR student) & Huang, Y. (CoI)
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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Space Sustainability
Mcgrath, C. (Participant), Crisp, N. (Participant), Nair, M. (Participant), Smith, K. (Participant) & Roberts, P. (Participant)
Impact
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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
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