Spectrum Technologies of Bridgend supplied laser marking machines that printed unique alpha-numeric IDs on about 20 miles (32 km) of wiring inside NASA's Orion capsule for the Artemis II lunar flyby. Company leaders described the contribution as a proud milestone and a stepping stone to further aerospace contracts, including work with SpaceX. Space Wales and the UK Space Agency note growing international collaboration and a rising Welsh space sector — which delivered £345 million and supported over 1,700 jobs last year.
Bridgend Laser Firm Marks 20 Miles Of Wiring On NASA’s Historic Artemis II Moon Flyby
A Welsh firm played a small part in the space mission [NASA]
Spectrum Technologies, a Bridgend-based laser engineering company, supplied laser marking machines used to label roughly 20 miles (32 km) of wiring inside NASA’s Orion capsule for the Artemis II lunar flyby. The work — designed and manufactured in Wales — helped ensure every wire inside the capsule could be uniquely identified during assembly and testing.
Local Technology, Global Mission
Machines built in Wales printed alpha-numeric identity codes directly onto white wiring that could not be colour-coded because of the volume and complexity of the harnesses. The markings allow engineers to trace and verify circuits quickly during integration and maintenance.
"It's incredibly exciting — hopefully it'll be used on many more projects in the future,"
said company chairman Dr Peter Dickinson, reflecting on Spectrum Technologies' contribution to Artemis II.
It was a surprisingly smooth ride, according to the astronauts, as Nasa's most powerful rocket took them into Earth's orbit last week [NASA]
From Childhood Inspiration To Cutting-Edge Engineering
Dr Dickinson said his passion for space began as a teenager watching the 1969 Moon landing. Long-serving engineer Rhys Roberts, who developed the software that runs the laser marking machines, said the Artemis II work has been a source of immense pride after more than 30 years with the company.
"All the wires are basically white, there are too many to colour code, so therefore each wire has a unique alpha-numeric identity code printed on it,"
Dr Dickinson explained.
Wider Welsh Space Sector
Spectrum is also working with SpaceX on wiring for other spacecraft, underscoring growing international collaboration in the Welsh space industry. Dr Rosie Cane of trade association Space Wales noted that NASA missions are often international efforts and highlighted Wales' rising profile: Space Forge, based in Cardiff, launched Wales' first satellite into orbit in June last year.
Dr Peter Dickinson has been fascinated with space since he was a teenager [BBC]
According to the UK Space Agency, the Welsh space sector contributed £345 million to the UK economy last year and supported more than 1,700 jobs across over 100 organisations.
The Artemis II crew completed a historic circuit around the Moon and were expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego at about 20:00 US Eastern (01:00 BST Saturday).
The involvement in Artemis II represents a meaningful milestone for Spectrum Technologies and the broader Welsh space supply chain — a local success with global reach.
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