About Bristol Spaceplanes  

Bristol Spaceplanes Limited

Bristol Spaceplanes Limited, based in Bristol, England, was formed in 1991 to provide technical assistance and consultancy to commercial organisations and aerospace companies interested in commercial opportunities in space. Since then it has prepared plans to develop the Ascender sub-orbital spaceplane, designed in-house from off-the-shelf technology. An experienced core design team has been formed.

Development of Ascender is at present being funded privately. Discussions are in hand with potential investors and strategic partners.

David Ashford - Director

David Ashford is director of Bristol Spaceplanes Limited. He graduated from Imperial College, University of London, in aeronautical engineering and spent one year at Princeton doing post graduate research on rocket motor combustion instability. His first job, starting in 1961, was with the Hawker Siddeley Aviation spaceplane design team. He has worked as an aerodynamicist, project engineer or project manager on various aerospace projects, including DC-8, DC-10, Concorde, the Skylark sounding rocket, and various naval missile systems.

He co-authored the first serious book on space tourism "Your Spaceflight Manual - How You Could be a Tourist in Space Within Twenty Years", by David Ashford and Patrick Collins, and has also authored a large number of papers on the subject.

David Kent - Chief Designer

David Kent is BSP's chief designer, and has extensive experience including the design of five different types of aeroplane including a four seat executive jet.

Tony Materna - U.S. Agent

Tony Materna is the North American marketing representative for BSP. He is President of Duke Communications, which develops and manufactures electronic test equipment.

Contacting BSP

BSP is contactable by phone/fax, post or email. See the contact page for details.