Farnborough Airshow: National space programme gets £33m boost

More than 20 national space projects have been announced today by The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (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 – designed to invest in high-potential technologies, drive innovation and unlock growth across the UK. 

Eight major projects will receive £24 million of the total amount. These include funding for a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse (Glasgow) from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, support for Rolls Royce (Derby) to develop micro reactors to support space exploration, and backing for 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.  

The funding will also support Lunasa to build and test technology to help satellites safely dock with one another, Orbit Fab, both based at Harwell in Oxfordshire to develop satellite refuelling, and Wayland Additive (Huddersfield) to develop an electronic propulsion system.  

A project led by Spire Global (Glasgow) will further develop technology to supply unique weather forecasting data to global weather prediction centres, while Hereford-based ETL Systems will advance revolutionary ground equipment that links satellites to 5G and 6G mobile networks, improving connectivity.  

DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle said:  "Space technologies play an important role in many aspects of our day to day lives.  

"Backing the growth of UK space companies is also essential for driving economic growth, boosting productivity, and creating wealth in every community.  

"Our £33m investment in these projects highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with international partners."

An additional 15 ‘Kick Starter’ projects will receive £9 million between them. These will support technologies and applications that are 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.  

The projects include a number from across this region:

Space Nuclear Power Micro-Reactor Technology Development and Demonstration: £4.8 million   

Led by Rolls-Royce Submarines in partnership with Bangor University, University of Oxford and Rolls Royce Bristol. The project will raise the overall technology readiness level for Space Micro-Reactors, closing the gap to a full system space flight demonstration and the commercialisation of space nuclear power.   

OHMS-Sat (Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite): £3.5 million  

Led by Spire Global in partnership with STAR-Dundee, the Met Office and Harwell, Oxfordshire-based STFC RAL Space. 

This project will build on the prior developments of the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS) to accelerate it towards an operational mission to supply weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres and create unique weather products.   

Electric Propulsion Innovations for Space and Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: £2.7 million   

Led by Wayland Additive in partnership with Southampton-based Mars Space Ltd. 

The project aims to adapt Mars Space Ltd (MSL)’s spacecraft electric propulsion technology and apply it to Electron Beam Metal Powder Additive Manufacturing in Wayland Additive Ltd’s Calibur machines. The access to, and spinout of, this technology to terrestrial applications will result in economies of scale for the MSL hollow cathode technology, benefiting both the space and terrestrial sectors.    

SPITFIRE (Servicing Propellant Interface Technology For In-orbit Refuelling Effectiveness): £1.3 million  

Led by Orbit Fab in partnership with Harwell-based MDA Space and Robotics, and the University of Southampton.  

Proximus Prime: Autonomous vision-based Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) demonstration mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using Small Satellites: £1 million 

Led by Lúnasa in partnership with Orbit Fab. 

Harwell-based Lúnasa intends to co-engineer, integrate and test its autonomous Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) Kit around Orbit Fab’s commercially available satellite docking and refuelling interface. Lúnasa will deploy the RPO Kit into Space and perform a first-of-its kind commercial satellite autonomous close-proximity demonstration between two MicroSats. 

The project will develop a full high-pressure interface solution to flight qualification level. This will bring together all the critical elements of refuelling for a UK-developed pressure agnostic interface solution that could be used on all future Orbit Fab refuelling missions in the pipeline. 

IF Lite project - Digital IF for Satellite mobile ground terminals and antennas:  £690,000  

Led by ETL Systems.  

Hereford-based ETL Systems will develop an advancement in satellite ground segment technology, merging Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) including satellites, with terrestrial networks such as 5G and 6G, alongside cloud virtualisation. This will facilitate seamless waveform alterations and accommodate edge devices like satellite terminals.  

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 UKspace 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."

The kick starter projects which have secured funding and are based across our region include:

SuperMagdrive: £1 million 

Led by Magdrive in partnership with Orbit Fab and the University of Southampton. 

This project will develop and scale up Magdrive’s plasma propulsion system - ‘SuperMagdrive’. The project focuses on development of the power system, ultimately demonstrating the technology with a test fire. Applications of this technology range from rendezvous and proximity operations to in space refuelling operations, contributing to a more sustainable space.   

DIGGER (Drilling and Integrated GigaHertz-Generated Energy Resource) for Lunar and Asteroid applications: £850,000 

Led by STFC in partnership with University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space. 

DIGGER is a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling (plasmas/microwaves) could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration. 

SOARS (Sewage) Outfall Assessment by Remote Sensing (SOARS): £250,000 

Led by Oxfordshire-based HR Wallingford. 

The project will test the feasibility of two sets of novel Earth Observation innovations, addressing the strategic priority of sewage spills. SOARS will apply oil spill identification techniques to sewage spills and employ novel machine learning techniques to assess their impact.