The UK’s C-LEO programme has made up to £60m available for innovations that will help boost the UK’s satellite constellations following the record number of global satellite launches in 2023.
The UK Space Agency’s Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme was highlighted in the recent Spring Budget. The Chancellor confirmed that up to £160m will be invested in UK expertise, such as satellite constellations, over the next four years.
The UK has a rich heritage in satellite design, spacecraft manufacturing and the operation of large satellite constellations. However, this new government funding is crucial to maintaining the UK’s competitive edge during a period of rapid change and growth in the global space sector.
Long-term growth in satellite communications
A new record was set in 2023, with more than 2,900 satellites launched successfully into orbit. The vast majority of these operate as part of commercial satellite constellations, which will continue to grow rapidly.
This represents a major opportunity for the UK space industry to benefit from high-value contracts in the global supply chain for satellite constellations and to play a leading role in the long-term growth of the satellite communications sector.
Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “From super accurate navigation, future generations of mobile connections, to better access to healthcare, satellite communications is opening doors around the world.
“As part of our UK space programme, we are offering up to £60m to support world-class UK teams in seizing those opportunities.”
“The UK is already home to some of the world’s most innovative leaders in satellite communications technologies and expertise, but continued growth requires sustained and strategic investment,” added Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency.
“This major new funding allows us to provide additional support, signalling the UK’s long-term commitment to the satellite communications sector and helping to bring its most ambitious projects to market.”
The funding is critical to the success of emerging innovations
The new funding can be used for research and development projects to build the capabilities of satellite constellations, making them more efficient at processing data in space and improving the services they offer to customers on Earth.
Advancing these communications services is critical to the success of emerging innovations – such as autonomous vehicles and drone healthcare delivery – and will ultimately give the UK space sector a competitive edge in the rapidly growing global market for low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
This will help catalyse investment, develop new manufacturing capabilities, and drive the improvement of connectivity in remote, rural and harder-to-reach areas in the UK and beyond.
Awards of up to £20m per project will be funded both by the UK Space Agency directly and through the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme.
