Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • UK Space to invest up to £32m in global space industry partnerships

Space

UK Space to invest up to £32m in global space industry partnerships

The UK Space Agency is investing up to £32 million to open opportunities for the UK space sector to share expertise in real-world satellite technology and services overseas.

Above: Science Minister Greg Clark visits Airbus Defence and Space with UK ESA astronaut Tim Peake.
Courtesy UK Space Agency (Max Alexander).

Grants will be awarded to British companies to work with international partners developing satellite technology to tackle issues like flooding, deforestation and humanitarian crises in emerging economies. These grants will be match funded by industry.

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2

The UK space sector continues to thrive, growing at over 7% per year and is currently worth £11.3 billion to the UK economy. With more than 5,000 jobs created in the last 2 years, it employs more than 34,000 people and supports a further 72,000 jobs in other sectors.

The International Partnership Space Programme (IPSP) will run over 2 years. It will support UK companies to become trusted partners to provide high-tech exports, thereby growing the UK space sector and creating jobs.

Announcing the money as part of a visit to Airbus Defence & Space in Stevenage yesterday morning, Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said: "Rosetta has captured the world’s imagination and the mission is a real testament to British engineering and technological expertise. I am very proud that a major part of the Rosetta platform was built in Britain here at Airbus.

"UK space companies are an engine for growth for the UK economy and this programme will support our ambitious target of achieving 10% of the global space sector by 2030.

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2

"This programme will help our international partners to take advantage of British expertise in satellite technology, services and scientific research. Today’s funding will give even more UK companies the chance to work on these kinds of exciting projects so that more people can enjoy the considerable economic and social benefits that new space technologies provide."

Above: Greg Clark with Tim Peake.
Courtesy UK Space Agency (Max Alexander).

Greg Clark toured the Airbus facilities with the European Space Agency’s first astronaut, Major Tim Peake. During the visit they met with engineering apprentices to hear about types of careers in the space sector and promote the #YourLife campaign, which encourages students to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

 

Advertisement
Advanced Navigation LB 1
UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

Space

UK Space Agency announces new headquarters and regional offices

27 March 2024

The UK Space Agency is opening new headquarters at the Harwell Science Campus’ Space Cluster in Oxfordshire, and offices in Scotland, Wales and the Midlands.

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

Space

Airbus continues climate change monitoring with NASA

22 March 2024

Airbus has been awarded a contract to design and build the GRACE-C twin spacecraft by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL (Pasadena, California).

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

Aerospace Space

UK tech firms selected for Government support in Japan

21 March 2024

Four innovative UK tech companies have been selected to receive Government support from the UK-APAC Tech Growth Programme to accelerate their plans for expansion in Japan.

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

Aerospace Space

Viasat expanding in-flight connectivity of Korean Air fleet

20 March 2024

Viasat has been selected to power in-flight connectivity onboard 40 additional aircraft by Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2
Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

Space

Serco welcomes Sarah AlHabbas as first Space Graduate

20 March 2024

Serco has welcomed its first Space Graduate, Sarah AlHabbas, helping to advance Saudi talent in the space sector.

Viasat

Aerospace Space

Viasat's IFC selected by Royal Jordanian Airlines

18 March 2024

Royal Jordanian Airlines and Viasat have announced that the airline will officially make high-speed Wi-Fi a priority to enhance its future passenger experience by selecting Viasat's in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution across multiple fleets.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2