The UK Space Agency has announced £17 million for 17 UK space projects through its National Space Innovation Programme at the recent Space Comm Expo in Glasgow.
The selected space projects span five strategic themes critical to the UK’s space ambitions: space domain awareness, in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, Earth observation, satellite communications, and position, navigation, and timing.
Together, these projects will deliver transformative technologies to enhance climate monitoring, improve connectivity, enable sustainable satellite operations, and strengthen national security.
From quantum communications and robotic servicing tools to AI-powered pollution tracking and refuellable propulsion systems, these innovations will help build a resilient, competitive UK space sector.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd stated: “This funding backs the brilliant UK innovators developing the next generation of space technology.
“By supporting our space sector, we’re strengthening the UK’s position as a world leader in space innovation and building technologies that will benefit people across the country for years to come.”
Growing UK space talent
NSIP’s newly funded projects will also deliver tangible public value. Together, these space projects are anticipated to create up to 140 skilled jobs across the UK, strengthening the talent pipeline in engineering, data science, and advanced manufacturing.
Innovations in Earth observation and satellite data will enhance services such as weather forecasting, agricultural monitoring, and disaster response.
HR Wallingford’s AI tool will use satellite data to assess how farming practices affect water quality in our rivers and bathing waters, supporting environmental protection and more sustainable land use.
Moreover, Magdrive Ltd is developing a compact, versatile, and efficient metal-based plasma propulsion system, targeting mass production in the UK to support the next generation of satellite constellations.
Enhancing national security
Several of the new space projects will also contribute to national security and resilience.
The University of Birmingham’s AI-powered satellite radar analysis system will help understand and respond to objects in space, improving space domain awareness and shaping the future of autonomous satellite operations, making space missions safer and smarter with bespoke AI approaches developed by the Alan Turing Institute.
Additionally, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is developing a satellite-based service to detect and track radio signals from Earth, with applications in both civil and defence contexts.
Advancing sustainability in the space sector
The programme is advancing the UK’s sustainability goals. Protolaunch’s water-based propulsion system and Orbit Fab’s first step to developing a refuellable electric propulsion system, which will promote greener satellite operations.
Also, Lodestar Space will develop autonomous, modular robotic tools to service spacecraft in orbit, reducing space debris and extending satellite lifespans.
Reinforcing the UK’s leadership with innovative new space projects
This new investment from the UK Space Agency builds on the UK’s £18bn space sector, which continues to grow rapidly and is a leading global destination for space investment.
“We are pleased to see how the UK Space Agency NSIP programme enables great innovation across industry and academia, often jointly supporting the development of real future technologies for the UK space sector,” commented Professor Mark Sims and Professor Anna Hogg, Space Academic Network (SPAN) Co-Chairs.
“The wide variety of technologies now being developed through NSIP is exciting to see, each one representing an opportunity to advance the sector and drive future growth.”
Together, these efforts reflect a coordinated approach to growing the UK’s space economy, advancing innovation, and delivering lasting value to citizens and stakeholders across the country.
