Breathing Life into Space
Star Helix
“There's unknown all around at every moment. That's where you seek knowledge.”
- Frank Herbert
Research & Development
Star Helix is an interdisciplinary R&D and technology transfer company with a robust network in the UK, the US, and beyond. We develop innovative technologies in-house and work with external companies to bring terrestrial innovations into the human spaceflight market.
Our primary focus is sustaining life in space, including the development of spacesuit components, life-support systems, radiation shielding, microbial control, and diagnostic wearables. We specialize in biotechnology, medical technology, engineering, integrated electronics, advanced materials, and textiles.
At Star Helix, we transform proven Earth technologies into space-ready solutions and vice versa, ensuring reliability in the harshest environments. Our expertise in retrofitting and adapting existing technologies accelerates deployment, reduces costs, and enables sustainable operations in the growing space economy.
We take an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, leveraging our extensive networks and the triple helix model that unites industry, academia, and the public sector to drive innovation.
As space agencies set their sights on the Moon and Mars, commercial companies are stepping up to fill low Earth orbit's growing market. Yet, current life support systems remain outdated, relying on single-use consumables that require frequent resupply and generate non-recyclable waste.
The UK has world-class expertise that could transform human spaceflight and other extreme environments, but much of it remains untapped. Star Helix bridges this gap—with a strong network across the UK and the US, we specialize in adapting proven terrestrial technologies for space applications.
From concept to market, we provide a clear pathway for technology transfer, helping companies repurpose their innovations for space and beyond.
With governments and industry planning for a larger, sustained, human presence in space, there is now a market need for longer term solutions.
CURRENT PROJECTS AND PRODUCTS
Spacesuits
Improving Suit Tech:
Glove dexterity
New joint connectors
Tactile feedback
Integrated Med-Tech
Mars Adaptations
New fabrics and coatings
BioTech
Adapting life for space:
Antimicrobial surfaces
Radiation shielding
Water purification
Air purification
In-situ resource utilisation
Algae for food and nutrition
We have access to world-class manufacturing, testing and verification facilities across the UK, Europe, and the USA.
Services
Space places strange demands on technology; we can get the square plug to fit in the round hole, we can identify and fix the bangs and shimmies. Star Helix can work the problem.
Space is an extreme environment that demands innovation across multiple disciplines. Success in human spaceflight takes more than rocket science—it requires expertise in physiology, microbiology, engineering, robotics, data science, life support, physics, the arts, and humanities, all working together.
At Star Helix, we specialize in adapting and optimizing technology for space applications, taking a systems-based approach that balances big-picture strategy with precision engineering. Our interdisciplinary expertise ensures your innovations can withstand microgravity, radiation, and extreme conditions, while always considering the human in the system.
Whether you’re refining existing technology or exploring new possibilities, we offer research, feasibility analysis, and tailored solutions to help your technology thrive in space.
If you see applications for your technology in space, we’ll help bridge the gap between Earth and space.
Let’s take your technology beyond the atmosphere.
Our Services:
🔹 Technology Adaptation & Optimization – Ensuring terrestrial innovations meet the demands of space.
🔹 Feasibility Studies & Research – Identifying the potential and challenges of space applications.
🔹 Systems Integration & Development – Designing solutions that work seamlessly in the space environment.
🔹 Knowledge Transfer & Outreach – Communicating complex science to stakeholders and the public.
Founded by experts in science, business, and policy, with a network of specialists in engineering, astrobiology, data science, and more, Star Helix brings together the expertise needed to turn concepts into reality.
Have a challenge to solve? A technology to adapt? Let's make it space-ready.
IP
Have a technology with space potential? We offer two ways to get it there: i) Work with us to adapt and optimise your product for the space environment. ii) License your IP to us, and we’ll develop it into a space-ready solution under our umbrella.
Perspectives
Need us to help your organisation think outside of the box? You can schedule an appointment with one of our directors to discuss different approaches to tackling your challenge.
White papers
We have a series of research articles into areas that might be of interest to you. If you wish to know more, please email us with the topic of your interest.
Star Helix: previous work
Research
- Field research
Mauna Loa volcano, Hawai’i; Haughton Impact Crater, Nunavut, Arctic circle.
e.g. Pressurised spacesuits, human factors engineering, microbiological sampling, field ecology, etc. - Desk research
e.g. Analogue mission papers, space sector infrastructure, biotechnology, Devon Island geology, etc. - Lab research
e.g. Algae stress resistance, sample fixation, nanoplastics, water purity, data analysis - Industry research
e.g. Infrastructure gap analysis, market potential for e-waste recycling technology - Technical due diligence
e.g. Verification and sense checking on new ventures or investments
Technology Development
- Technology transfer of life sciences for life-support systems
- Biotechnology for resource reacquisition
- Extreme environmental life support - energy, pressure, HVAC in remote arctic or volcanic regions.
- Testing pressurised spacesuits: physiology and human factors
- Engineering spacesuits: gloves with greater dexterity, joints without ball-bearings
- Expanding analogue astronaut research infrastructure
Business Development
- Grant writing
- Grant assessment
- Strategic advice
- Logistics and planning
- Project management
- Marketing and communications
- Network expansion
- Collaboration facilitation
- Knowledge exchange
- Cross-sectoral outreach – new customer bases for clients
- Cluster services – linking industry, academia and government
Our Team
Star Helix Ltd’s directorship are an international team, representing Britain, the US, and Canada. We have consultants ranging across North America and Europe, and are always interested in considering new applicants to join our books.
Testimonials
From our blog
Research in the Arctic
What do you think of, when you think of the Arctic? If you’re anything like me, you immediately think of windswept plains of snow, glaciers of ice with blue-white cliffs.…
Reflecting on a Stellar Year: Star Helix 2023-2024
Star Helix has had an exciting first year! Since our conception as a UK LTD company one year ago, we took part in many groundbreaking activities that have propelled our…
