EECL secures £1.5m contract with European Space Agency for payload qualification and test systems

European Engineering Consultancy Ltd (EECL) has been awarded a £1.5 million contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to deliver ground support equipment and environmental and space-qualification testing for a next-generation digital satellite payload.

Thanks to a strategic introduction by Space South Central, EECL will provide end-to-end qualification services, including thermal-vacuum cycling, vibration and mechanical testing, EMC assessment, and comprehensive payload validation. The company will also design and supply automated ground support equipment and test systems to streamline qualification and integration processes.

The new payload introduces a more complex and software-defined digital processing system, positioning EECL’s automation-driven approach as a critical component in achieving rapid and repeatable test cycles. EECL’s hardware and software test infrastructure has been engineered to support high-throughput constellations, enabling reduced validation timelines and improved operational efficiency for integrators.

Dr Ben Kieniewicz, Founder and CEO of EECL, said: “We’re extremely proud to be selected for this programme. These contracts are a reflection of our technical experience and capabilities in the field of space engineering. The contracts allow significant growth for EECL and facilitate the expansion of our team and scaling of our manufacturing operations to meet increasing demand.

“The project also gives our graduate engineers the opportunity to participate in ESA reviews and mission-critical hardware development, strengthening early-career talent within the Space South Central region.”

Antonia Yendell, Head of Space Ecosystem Development at the UK Space Agency, added: “Congratulations to EECL on securing this important contract with  ESA. This partnership is one of many that demonstrates the powerful role space clusters play within the UK’s vibrant and connected space ecosystem; fostering innovation, strengthening the UK’s space supply chains, and driving economic growth.”

Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central, said: “The award of these contracts demonstrates the tangible impact of strategic collaboration. Our International Partnership Manager played a key role in connecting EECL, a trusted regional leader in RF design and space‑flight hardware, with international programmes. By brokering this relationship, we’ve secured inward investment and strengthened the regional supply chain, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration that benefit the entire UK space sector.

“This partnership reinforces our region’s capability to deliver complex satellite communications and underscores the value of collaborations that drive national competitiveness in the global space economy.”