Ochil Astronautics is a Scottish engineering company developing resilient food-growing systems for extreme environments.
Inspired by our roots and a belief that fresh food should be accessible anywhere, we help people thrive wherever their mission takes them.
Our story
ABOUT OCHIL ASTRONAUTICS
Engineering food security for extreme environments
WHY WE EXIST
Fresh food is difficult to access in the world's most challenging environments.
From military operations and disaster response to future space missions, supplying nutritious food is expensive, resource-intensive and often dependent on fragile supply chains.
Ochil Astronautics exists to change that.
We design resilient systems that enable food production where traditional agriculture can’t operate.
Backed by engineering-led innovation
BUILT BY ENGINEERS
Founded by RAF veteran and engineer Stuart Preston, Ochil Astronautics combines operational experience with engineering expertise to solve one of humanity's oldest challenges: reliable access to fresh food.
After 16 years working in demanding environments where logistics, resilience and reliability were critical, Stuart recognised the opportunity to apply engineering principles to food production in extreme environments.
COMPANY TIMELINE
Our journey so far
Ochil Astronautics founded by RAF veteran and engineer Stuart Preston.
2024
2025
Selected for the UK Space Agency and STAC accelerator programmes.
2025
Receives funding from Pera International to progress product development.
Selected by Department for Business and Trade to join mission to Commercial Space Week in Florida.
2026
Rugged Garden prototype complete, with Letter of Support from a commercial space company.
2026
The team behind the tech
MEET THE TEAM
STUART PRESTON
Founder and RAF veteran with 20 years’ engineering experience and a passion for human thriving in extreme environments.
LAURA IMRIE
Marketing consultant helping communicate the mission, technology and impact of Ochil Astronautics.
MATTHEW MCGUIRE
Science Director leading the development of sustainable growing systems and scientific validation.
JET
Chief People Relations Officer. Morale specialist, focused on team spirit and operational snack security.
OUR MISSION
From Scotland to space
Born in the Ochil Hills of central Scotland, Ochil Astronautics is an engineering company building resilient food-growing systems for the world’s most demanding environments.
We develop technologies that make fresh, nutritious food possible where traditional agriculture cannot operate - whether supporting military personnel, humanitarian operations, isolated communities, or future space missions.
Our roots matter. The Ochil Hills have long symbolised resilience, endurance, and adaptability in a changing landscape. Those values shape how we build: practical engineering, reliable systems, and solutions designed to perform when conditions are toughest.
From Scotland to space, our mission is to help people thrive wherever they are.
We believe access to fresh food should not depend on geography, infrastructure, or distance from Earth. By combining engineering expertise with sustainable design, we create systems that help humanity travel further, stay longer, and live better.
As the old Clackmannanshire motto says, Look Aboot Ye - but our focus is always beyond the horizon: pushing boundaries, learning continuously, and solving problems that matter.
Because when life becomes possible in the most impossible places, the future opens up for everyone.
Founder and CEO, Stuart Preston, pictured with his dog, Jet, on Dumyat amongst the Ochil Hills
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable by design
Sustainability is built into every system we develop.
Whether reducing resource consumption, minimising waste, or supporting long-duration operations, we design with efficiency and longevity in mind from day one.
As our technologies evolve, we remain committed to adopting recognised sustainability standards and responsible engineering practices.
