More than 20 national space projects have been announced today by DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle, on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow. The projects, worth £33 million, come from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme, which is designed to invest in high-potential technologies, drive innovation, and unlock growth across the UK.
How will it be distributed?
Eight major projects will receive £24 million of the total amount. An additional 15 ‘Kick Starter’ projects will receive £9 million between them. These will support technologies and applications in an earlier stage of development and increase their readiness for use in commercial and scientific endeavours.
The projects cover a wide range of space-related capabilities, from in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, as well as advanced material development and the use of satellite imagery.
Major projects to receive funding
The eight projects that will benefit from this grant are as follows:
- £5 million for sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse based in Glasgow from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland.
- £5 million to back Cambridge University spin-out SuperSharp to develop and launch a heat-detecting telescope to gather data that can be used to help tackle the climate crisis.
- £4.8 million to support Derby-based Rolls Royce to develop micro-reactors that support space exploration.
- £3.5 million for Glasgow-based Spire Global to further develop technology to supply unique weather forecasting data to global weather prediction centres.
- £2.7 million to support Wayland Additive from Huddersfield to develop an electronic propulsion system.
- £1.3 million for Orbit Fab from Harwell to develop a pressure-agnostic interface solution that could be used on all future refuelling missions.
- £1 million to support Lúnasa from Harwell to build and test technology to help satellites safely dock with one another.
- £690,000 for ETL Systems based in Hereford to advance revolutionary ground equipment that links satellites to 5G and 6G mobile networks, improving connectivity.
Kickstarter projects
The Kickstarter projects that will get funding include
- £1 million to develop and scale up plasma propulsion system – SuperMagdrive.
- 980,000 to develop an ultra-high efficiency, low-cost flexible solar blanket, and compact, modular roll-out mechanism for in-orbit deployment – Lightricity.
- £850,000 for DIGGER, a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration.
- £830,000 to develop critical low noise amplifier and detector technology which will be at the core of the next generation of atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation.
- £800,000 for Lodestar Space to develop a platform-agnostic modular robotic arm to perform contact-dependent dynamic space operations.
- £770,000 for the development and testing of SCOPE (Solar Coronagraph for OPErations) led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
- £690,000 for REALM led by the University of Leicester. It will develop and demonstrate streamlined machine-learning algorithms capable of complying with spacecraft power and computing performance requirements using drones.
- £560,000 for Frontier Space Technologies Ltd and Cranfield University to develop their SpaceLab, capable of conducting experiments in microgravity environments.
- £480,000 to develop a novel space photovoltaic device, enabling low-cost, highly resilient solar power systems which meet the complex demands of next-generation space applications.
- £450,000 to develop and prototype lightweight carbon fibre mirrors using novel fibre steering technology.
- £390,000 to work on simulating an Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system to unlock new capabilities in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
- £390,000 to develop a satellite transmitter enabling ultra-capacity satellite links at D-band with a novel multiple antenna technique, or MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) powered by Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs).
- £310,000 for a versatile capture mechanism for large unprepared satellites.
- £300,000 to optimise BiologIC Technologies’ biomanufacturing system, built using world-leading biocomputer technology, to withstand space launch, operate in microgravity, and ensure compatibility with space infrastructure.
- £250,000 to test the feasibility of two sets of novel Earth Observation innovations, addressing the strategic priority of sewage spills.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects will help kickstart growth, create more high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations. They go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK, and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”
Chair of the UK space trade association, John Hanley, said: “This investment into the space industry demonstrates the importance of funding through a national programme to unlock innovative collaborations in all parts of the UK. We hope this will further strengthen the sector, and build upon the growth we have seen in recent years.”
DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle added: “From combatting climate change to staying connected with loved ones, space technologies play an important role in many aspects of our day-to-day lives. But backing the growth of UK space companies is also essential for driving economic growth, boosting productivity, and creating wealth in every community. Our £33 million investment in these projects highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with international partners.”
