A batch of 23 projects will strengthen the International Space Partnership, develop domestic capabilities and boost space innovation, the UK Space Agency announced.
This is the second round of a successful International Bilateral Fund (IBF) project, representing a £6.5 million increase in British companies and universities working internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania and the US.
These innovations include autonomous 3D printing, lunar agriculture, orbital threat detection, biotechnology manufacturing, medical research, and deep space radar. The collaboration also covers life sciences, communications, in-orbit services, earth observation and advanced materials.
They showcase a wide range of expertise across the UK’s vibrant space sector. It employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6 billion in annual revenue.
Keeping the UK in cutting edge space innovation
The space funding boost, announced at the International Astronomical Conference (IAC), in Sydney, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to international partnerships and the wide range of areas the space sector can contribute to economic growth.
As stated in the government’s industrial strategy, the UK Space Agency is increasing bilateral research and development funding with international allies.
The IBF is a key mechanism for this, providing UK-led international cooperation and targeted support for building capabilities and partnerships across the global space sector.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:
“From improving mobile coverage to monitoring the Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It’s an exciting time for the space sector and great news for UK businesses to reach the stars.”
Which transformative projects will receive funding?
Some of the 23 projects that will advance to accelerate space innovation include:
UK-India-5G-From-orbit, Accelercomm Ltd x Radisys India Ltd
The next-generation non-terrestrial network (NTNS) relies on 5G base stations operating on board.
The project integrates the latest version of Accelercomm’s technology into Radisys labs in India, providing valuable resources for collaborative research and demonstrations to customers and partners around the world.
Argus: Autonomous Rendezvous of Geo Utility & Surveillance, Lunasa Ltd X Space Machines Company Pty Ltd
The project will integrate Lúnasa’s autonomous Starlogic RPO kit into Space Machines’ commercial Geo inspection satellite, Geo-Viper, to develop key technologies for future ISAM missions.
Ranger: Relative autonomous navigation of GNSS-enabled rendezvous, Lunasa Ltd x Infinite Orbits
The purpose of this project is to advance Lúnasa’s High-Ecision R-GNSS relative navigation technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through integration with Infinite Orbits’ service satellites in preparation for future commercial organization service missions.
NASA’s UK Detector Technology High-Resolution Imaging of the Moon and Mars, Open University x Bae Space Mission Systems x University of Arizona
This project will design a TDI rolling scene simulator and carry out radiation testing of the CIS125 detector at a typical dose of the Moon/Mars mission, and will advance the British Development CIS125’CCD for future high-resolution imaging missions towards the Moon, Mars and Earth.
Flora Fidelity: British-Canadian space collaboration to promote hyperspectral forestry monitoring through Gentian x Bullfinch Earth
The UK-Canada collaboration to apply Earth observation, wearable sensors, and AI technology to solve years of challenges in forest monitoring: the lack of efficient forest surveys combining forest data below the crown, and the difficulty of obtaining accurate, low-cost, accurate ecological data to train satellite-based models.
Check out the full list of projects here.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the UK,” said Dr. Paul Beit, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “These new projects range from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change the way microgravity is used to develop treatments for deadly diseases.
“By combining our country’s talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support our growth and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation.”
Source link
