11 international space projects that showcase the best of UK space expertise have received funding from the UK Space Agency.
The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund is focused on supporting work between the UK space sector and innovative international space projects.
Amongst the funding, the University of Strathclyde is set to work with the Alan Turing Institute to use Artificial Intelligence to improve space operations, safety, and sustainability.
The 11 projects will showcase valuable missions and capabilities and highlight the breadth of expertise found across the UK’s space sector.
The £13m in funding was announced today (Monday 8 April) at the opening day of the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
Second phase of investment for international space projects
The new funding marks the second phase of investment awarded through the UK Space Agency’s £20m International Bilateral Fund.
The first phase, awarded in August 2023, funded 32 projects up to £75,000 each. The projects entered into a highly competitive process for further funding from Phase 2.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “The projects supported by our International Bilateral Fund champion the best of British innovation, while strengthening our ties with the wider space community.
“Together we can break new ground, further our understanding of the Universe and use the vast power of space to protect and benefit lives on Earth.”
UK-Australia Space Bridge
The International Bilateral Fund has been bolstered by a co-funding commitment from the Australian Space Agency, worth AUS$3m.
Australia supports projects such as Aquawatch-AUK, led by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. This project uses disruptive space technologies to develop a world-class integrated water quality monitoring and forecasting system.
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said: “This funding builds on the collaboration fostered through the UK-Australia Space Bridge.
“By working with our international partners like the UK, we can continue to grow the Australian space sector while delivering outcomes that benefit communities in both of our nations.”
Phase 2 projects
The international space projects that have been allocated funding include:
Rolls-Royce Submarines Limited (UK) and partners BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (US) – £1.2m
The project aims to identify optimum technologies for a fission nuclear system that balances flexibility for a range of space power missions.
The technology will maximise performance whilst minimising programme and technical risk.
University of Leicester (UK) and partners from the UK, US, and Japan – £800,000
The project will identify a range of mission opportunities for UK space nuclear power technologies.
Vertical Future Ltd (UK) and partners – £1.5m
Development of a state-of-the-art controlled environmental agriculture facility for optimal plant growth in space to support missions and experimentation.
The international space project will adapt learnings from current and future experiments on the International Space Station to ensure feasibility.
XCAM Ltd (UK) and partners The Open University (UK), University College London (UK), Teledyne UK Ltd (UK) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (India) – £500,000
Development of a new X-ray imaging instrument which will study the X-ray emission from Earth’s aurorae.
This project is part of ESA’s Theseus programme and represents the first demonstration of this new technology in a space mission.
Click here for a full list of the international space projects that have received funding.
