Funding secures development of pioneering space technology intended to address Earthly challenges
The UK Space Agency has announced significant funding for a series of innovative projects, aiming to leverage space technology to address critical global challenges and bolster the nation's position in the space sector.
With a total of £580.8 million allocated for the 2024-2025 year, the agency's annual budget has been uplifted to £682 million, supporting various projects and initiatives. One such initiative is the SPRINT programme, which has developed a unique approach to knowledge exchange and industry/university collaboration for the space sector. SPRINT has previously supported 87 collaborative projects with 70 companies and facilitates easy and productive partnerships between companies and academics.
In the realm of climate change, the UK Space Agency has invested over £100 million. A notable focus is on Earth Observation (EO) technologies, with a £15 million commitment to develop satellites and space-based instruments for enhancing global climate data collection.
Several projects are set to revolutionise public services. Five new projects use satellite data to transform public services, focusing on monitoring infrastructure safety, tracking biodiversity, identifying methane leaks, and supporting farmers. One such project, run by the University of Edinburgh, will support the generation of a land use classification map of key agricultural production regions in Malawi, enabling effective planning of large-scale agriculture in the region.
The UK Space Agency is also backing several satellite communications projects. MDA Space UK’s SkyPhi Mission aims to deliver 5G and 6G connectivity via low Earth orbit satellites, while Orbit Fab’s Radical Project is developing in-orbit refueling systems for telecommunications satellites. SSTL’s Lunar Communications System and Viasat’s Hybrid GEO-LEO Network are also receiving funding, with the former enabling deep-space communications capabilities and the latter providing global 5G Direct-to-Device coverage.
The UK is also a strong advocate for the ESA’s TRUTHS mission, aimed at delivering precise climate data, and the CLEAR mission, led by ClearSpace, to address orbital debris.
Other projects include Redshift Associates Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Leicester, developing analytics to track the carbon and pollution emissions of ships, establishing emission audits of shipping fleets and their individual vessels. ArchAI Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, will use AI to automatically detect archaeology on Earth observation data, which can help lower construction costs and preserve historical sites. Absolar Solutions Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, will develop a Carbon Action Planning Tool that integrates satellite images, solar radiation, and LiDAR to help organisations achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.
In December 2020, the UK government redefined treasure to increase protection for archaeological finds, making the treasure process more transparent and efficient for museums and the public. The University of Leicester will use satellite analytics to track greenhouse gas and pollution emissions of shipping fleets.
These projects highlight the UK Space Agency's commitment to leveraging space technology to address critical global challenges while advancing the UK's position in the space sector. Professor Martin Barstow, Leader of the SPRINT project, expressed gratitude for the UK Space Agency’s funding. The Scottish space industry, now employing close to 8,000 people and generating nearly £254 million to the economy, stands to benefit significantly from these investments.
- The SPRINT programme, a unique approach for industry/university collaboration in the space sector, has received support from the UK Space Agency's budget.
- Earth Observation (EO) technologies are a key focus of the UK Space Agency's investment in climate change, with £15 million allocated for satellite and space-based instrument development.
- Public services are set to be transformed, as five projects using satellite data are funded to monitor infrastructure safety, track biodiversity, identify methane leaks, and support farmers.
- The University of Edinburgh's project will generate a land use classification map for key agricultural areas in Malawi, facilitating effective large-scale farming planning.
- MDA Space UK’s SkyPhi Mission is one of several satellite communications projects backed by the UK Space Agency, aiming to deliver 5G and 6G connectivity via low Earth orbit satellites.
- Data-and-cloud-computing projects include Orbit Fab’s Radical Project, developing in-orbit refueling systems for telecommunications satellites.
- The UK is advocating for the ESA’s TRUTHS mission and the CLEAR mission led by ClearSpace, aimed at providing precise climate data and addressing orbital debris, respectively.
- In the field of environmental-science, Redshift Associates Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Leicester, is developing carbon and pollution emission tracking software for ships.
- ArchAI Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, is using AI to automatically detect archaeology on Earth observation data, potentially reducing construction costs and preserving historical sites.
- Absolar Solutions Ltd, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, is creating a Carbon Action Planning Tool that integrates satellite images, solar radiation, and LiDAR to help organisations achieve Net-Zero carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.
- The commitment to leveraging space technology for critical global challenges has been highlighted by the UK Space Agency, with investments in sustainable-living, renewable-energy, technology, artificial-intelligence, and education-and-self-development projects.
