Space projects to unlock climate and transport innovations

Image courtesy UK Space Agency 

Delivered through the Unlocking Space for Business programme, the projects demonstrate how satellite data combined with artificial intelligence can deliver practical, scalable solutions to real-world challenges. This supports the Government’s Industrial Strategy by driving innovation in priority sectors, accelerating growth and developing technological leadership.  

The funding will help financial services and transport businesses accelerate the deployment of innovations that reduce carbon emissions, support the transition to net zero, and boost accessibility, while creating new growth opportunities for the UK’s thriving space sector, which already employs 56,000 people  

DSIT Minister Ian Murray said: "These innovative projects showcase the transformative power of Britain’s space sector. From reducing emissions to making our streets more accessible, we’re backing the satellite technology and AI solutions that really make a difference to people’s lives."

Ether Capital will develop a real-time carbon risk dashboard for the shipping industry. By integrating satellite tracking data with advanced AI, the platform will provide immediate insights into vessel emissions, helping maritime finance institutions, insurers and operators comply with tightening international regulations. This transparency will support greener shipping, de-risk investments and build global leadership for the UK in sustainable maritime finance. 

Furrer+Frey will create a satellite-powered tool that identifies railway assets and produces optimised electrification designs. This innovation will cut planning times, reduce project costs and lower carbon emissions, enabling faster delivery of green rail infrastructure across the UK. Engineers and decision-makers will be able to access automated, high-precision designs, making rail decarbonisation more efficient and affordable, helping the UK accelerate its journey towards a cleaner transport network. 

MakeSense Technology will apply Earth observation data to generate safe, high-precision walking routes tailored for visually impaired people. The breakthrough system will allow users to make spontaneous travel decisions, increasing independence and confidence, while helping the company scale its innovative navigation platform nationally.  

Projects from Howden and Rebalance Earth will use satellite intelligence to improve environmental and biodiversity risk assessments for financial institutions. By combining space data with AI analytics, these tools will enable more accurate tracking of nature-related risks, support stronger climate-related disclosures, and enhance investment decisions. In doing so, they will open new market opportunities in sustainable finance and strengthen the UK’s role in developing innovative green finance solutions.   

Foresight Group will develop tools that turn satellite data into financial insights to help investors assess climate and nature-related risks. 

Each project addresses specific market gaps where traditional terrestrial data has proven to be insufficient or costly. The funding enables businesses to develop scalable solutions that can be deployed nationally and exported internationally, positioning Britain as a leader in space-enabled climate solutions.   

Dr Craig Brown, Investment Director at the UK Space Agency said: "These projects show how the UK’s space sector is delivering real-world impact, using satellite data and AI to tackle climate change, decarbonise transport and improve accessibility. By supporting innovation in sectors that haven’t traditionally used space technology, we’re unlocking new economic opportunities and helping to build a more sustainable, inclusive future."

The Unlocking Space for Business programme addresses barriers to the adoption of space solutions and has engaged more than 350 organisations to date, supporting a range of projects across insurance, investment, transport and logistics. This forms part of the UK Space Agency’s wider Unlocking Space Programme which aims to grow high potential UK space companies by unlocking revenue and investment opportunities.

Across its programmes, the UK Space Agency catalysed investment and revenue of at least £2.2 billion for the UK space sector in 2024/2025.

The funded projects

• Ether Capital Ltd – Real-Time Carbon Risk Dashboard for Trade Finance 
  Ether Capital, in partnership with AAC Clyde Space and Morphing.ai will create a dashboard using satellite data and AI to help maritime finance firms track shipping emissions and manage carbon risks. 
  
   
• Foresight Group – Satellite Intelligence for Climate and Nature Risk 
  Foresight Group, in partnership with Frontierra, will develop tools that turn satellite data into financial insights to help investors assess climate and nature-related risks. 
  
   
• Furrer+Frey GB Ltd – ECOFAST: Electrification Cost Optimisation, Feasibility Analytics & Savings Tool 
  Furrer+Frey, in partnership with Airbus Defence & Space, will launch a tool that uses satellite imagery and AI to speed up and simplify railway electrification planning. 
  
   
• Howden – Biodiversity Risk Assessment
  Howden, through a partnership between the Howden Resilience Laboratory and PCI Geomatics Enterprises UK Ltd (DBA CATALYST) will build a satellite-based system to help insurers and businesses monitor land changes and meet nature-related regulations. 
  
   
• MakeSense Technology – Navigation for Blind and Visually Impaired Pedestrians 
  MakeSense Technology, in partnership with GIS Navigator, will use Earth observation data to create safe walking routes for blind and visually impaired people, making spontaneous travel easier. 
  
   
• Rebalance Earth – ALAN: Accelerated Landscape Assessment for Nature Investments 
  Rebalance Earth, in partnership with Treeconomy Ltd, will use satellite tools to support smarter investment decisions in nature-based carbon projects like reforestation.