This investment will accelerate breakthrough technologies, boost commercialisation, and reinforce the UK\u2019s global leadership in space innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The selected projects span five strategic themes\u00a0critical to the UK\u2019s space ambitions: space domain awareness, in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, Earth observation, satellite communications, and position,\u00a0navigation\u00a0and timing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Space technology benefits\u00a0people\u2019s\u00a0lives\u00a0every day – from checking the weather to\u00a0navigating your car journey home from work.\u00a0This funding backs the brilliant UK innovators developing the next generation of space technology.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
By supporting our space sector, we\u2019re strengthening the UK\u2019s position as a world leader in space innovation and building technologies that will benefit people across the country for years to come.<\/p>\n
Commercial\u00a0and public benefits<\/p>\n
NSIP\u2019s newly funded projects will\u00a0also\u00a0deliver tangible public value.\u00a0Together, these projects are\u00a0anticipated\u00a0to create up to 140 skilled jobs across the UK, strengthening the talent pipeline in engineering, data\u00a0science\u00a0and advanced manufacturing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Innovations in Earth observation and satellite data will enhance services such as weather forecasting, agricultural monitoring, and disaster response.\u00a0HR Wallingford\u2019s AI tool will use\u00a0satellite data to assess how farming practices affect water\u00a0quality\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0rivers and bathing waters, supporting environmental protection and more sustainable land use.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Magdrive\u00a0Ltd\u00a0is developing a\u00a0compact,\u00a0versatile\u00a0and efficient metal-based\u00a0plasma\u00a0propulsion system,\u00a0targeting mass production in the\u00a0UK\u00a0to support\u00a0the next generation of\u00a0satellite constellations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several projects will also\u00a0contribute to national security and resilience. The University of Birmingham\u2019s\u00a0AI-powered satellite\u00a0radar analysis system will help understand\u00a0and respond to\u00a0objects in space, improving space domain awareness\u00a0and\u00a0shaping the future of autonomous\u00a0satellite\u00a0operations, making\u00a0space missions safer and smarter\u00a0with bespoke\u00a0AI-approaches\u00a0developed by Alan Turing Institute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is developing a\u00a0satellite-based service to detect and track radio signals from Earth, with applications in both civil and defence contexts.\u00a0\u00a0The programme is advancing the UK\u2019s sustainability goals.\u00a0Protolaunch\u2019s\u00a0water-based propulsion system and Orbit Fab\u2019s\u00a0first step to developing a\u00a0refuellable electric\u00a0propulsion system which\u00a0will promote greener satellite operations, while Lodestar Space\u00a0will\u00a0develop autonomous, modular robotic tools to service spacecraft in orbit,\u00a0reducing\u00a0space debris and extending satellite lifespans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Mark Sims and Professor Anna Hogg, Space Academic Network (SPAN) Co-Chairs said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The strengthening of collaboration between industry and academia over the last decade clearly\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0the power of working together.\u00a0\u00a0The wide variety of technologies now being developed through NSIP is exciting to see, each one\u00a0representing\u00a0an opportunity to advance the sector and drive future growth.<\/p>\n
Building a\u00a0world-leading\u00a0space\u00a0economy<\/p>\n
This new investment from the UK Space Agency builds on the UK\u2019s \u00a318 billion space sector, which continues to grow rapidly and is a leading destination for space investment globally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
We offer our congratulations to all the successful recipients of these awards. This investment expands the impact of the NSIP and\u00a0provides the opportunity for space companies and academic institutions\u00a0to develop innovative new sovereign capability that strengthens the UK in several\u00a0important areas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
We also welcome the government\u2019s announcement that from 2026 it will be spending more on civil space than ever before. We look forward to working with the emerging \u201cOne Government\u201d approach to space to deliver security and growth for our nation.<\/p>\n
The UK last week agreed a \u00a31.7\u00a0billion investment in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes at the ESA Council of Ministers in Bremen, boosting the UK\u2019s total commitment to \u00a32.8 billion over the next decade.\u00a0This funding will sustain thousands of high-skilled jobs, drive innovation, and deliver benefits for people and businesses\u2014from improved connectivity to more resilient infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Every \u00a31 invested in ESA returns \u00a37.49 to the UK economy, with contracts flowing back to UK industry and universities.\u00a0\u00a0Today\u2019s announcement complements recent UK Space Agency funding that reinforce the UK\u2019s strategic direction in space. These include \u00a36.8 million in\u00a0International Bilateral Fund awards to support global partnerships,\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a36.9\u00a0million in government funding for satellite communications projects,\u00a0leveraging\u00a0the space sector\u2019s talents and strengthening the UK\u2019s reputation as a world leader in space technology.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Together, these efforts reflect a coordinated approach to growing the UK\u2019s space economy, advancing innovation, and delivering lasting value to citizens and stakeholders\u00a0across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Projects<\/p>\n
Magdrive\u00a0Ltd receives \u00a32\u00a0million\u00a0to\u00a0ready\u00a0a powerful propulsion system for small satellites\u00a0for mass production.\u00a0<\/p>\n
B2Space\u00a0Ltd\u00a0with partners\u00a0SuperSharp\u00a0Space Systems and University of South Wales\u00a0receives\u00a0\u00a32\u00a0million\u00a0to create a UK-led Earth observation system using high-altitude platforms with advanced sensors, satcom connectivity and onboard AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lightricity\u00a0Ltd\u00a0with partners AVS Added Value Solutions UK Ltd and IQE PLC\u00a0receives \u00a31.9 million\u00a0to create\u00a0a\u00a0fully flexible roll-out\u00a0foldable solar panel for small satellites that can generate several kilowatts of power.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BAE Systems\u00a0Digital\u00a0Intelligence receives \u00a31.47 million\u00a0to develop a satellite-based service to detect and track radio signals from Earth for defence and civil use.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Toshiba Europe Ltd, together\u00a0with Heriot-Watt University and Cambridge,\u00a0University\u00a0has secured\u00a0\u00a31.45 million\u00a0to\u00a0space-qualify critical quantum\u00a0optoelectric\u00a0components and\u00a0integrate them\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0UK-developed\u00a0secure quantum communication\u00a0systems\u00a0for small satellites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Filtronic\u00a0Broadband Ltd receives \u00a31.18 million\u00a0to build a high-powered amplifier system for satellite communications using advanced UK technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lodestar Space Ltd\u00a0with partners\u00a0Magdrive\u00a0Ltd and Cranfield University\u00a0receives \u00a31\u00a0million\u00a0to develop\u00a0autonomous,\u00a0modular robotic tools to service spacecraft in orbit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Protolaunch\u00a0Ltd\u00a0with partners University of Southampton and Naicker Scientific Ltd\u00a0receives \u00a31\u00a0million\u00a0to develop a water-based propulsion system that combines chemical and electric thrust\u00a0for sustainable\u00a0and dynamic\u00a0satellite movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
University of Bristol\u00a0with partners University of Bath, Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd, University of\u00a0Strathclyde\u00a0and University of York\u00a0receives \u00a3980,000\u00a0to create a UV-based\u00a0secure communication devices\u00a0for\u00a0smaller size and longer distance\u00a0inter\u00a0satellite\u00a0CubeSats\u00a0links.\u00a0<\/p>\n
University of Edinburgh\u00a0with partner UK Astronomy Technology Centre\u00a0(STFC)\u00a0receives \u00a3850,000\u00a0to develop a compact, high-resolution\u00a0CubeSat\u00a0instrument to measure pollution from space,\u00a0with global coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The University of Southampton\u00a0has received\u00a0\u00a3800,000\u00a0and partnered with Cranfield Plasma Solutions to develop a plasma torch system for simulating the extreme thermal conditions of spacecraft\u00a0atmospheric\u00a0re-entry. This innovation will fill a key UK capability gap by providing high-fidelity, contamination-free material ablation testing, supporting sustainable space operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
University of Birmingham\u00a0with partner Alan Turing Institute\u00a0receives \u00a3610,000\u00a0to\u00a0design an\u00a0AI-powered satellite\u00a0radar\u00a0system\u00a0to understand the shape and structure of objects in space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
University of Strathclyde\u00a0with partner BAE Systems PLC\u00a0receives \u00a3540,000\u00a0to develop a new satellite navigation system that\u00a0avoids\u00a0relying\u00a0on GPS\u00a0by\u00a0maintaining\u00a0an agreed time through synchronisation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
University of Leicester\u00a0with partner TWI Ltd\u00a0receives \u00a3485,000\u00a0to build a robot-mounted welding\u00a0system\u00a0for\u00a0in-space\u00a0repair and structural joining,\u00a0validated\u00a0through\u00a0vacuum and simulated-environment\u00a0testing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Orbit Fab Ltd\u00a0with partner TAS UK\u00a0receives \u00a3340,000\u00a0to create a refuellable electric propulsion system for satellites\u00a0by developing a fluidic\u00a0flatsat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
HR Wallingford\u00a0receives \u00a3320,000,\u00a0with support\u00a0from Southern\u00a0Water,\u00a0Thames Water,\u00a0and\u00a0Evenlode Catchment Partnership to build an AI tool that uses satellite data to assess how farming affects water quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
STFC RAL Space receives \u00a3260,000\u00a0to\u00a0develop\u00a0a\u00a0new technology\u00a0to\u00a0support the calibration of next-generation meteorological satellites\u00a0using UK-made electronics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This investment will accelerate breakthrough technologies, boost commercialisation, and reinforce the UK\u2019s global leadership in space innovation.\u00a0 The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":294292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[90,416,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-296847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-space","tag-science","tag-space","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}