The UK Space Agency has launched a significant funding opportunity, in collaboration with Axiom Space, offering up to £15 million to drive British technology into space. Two new funding calls have been initiated, inviting UK-based researchers and technology innovators to participate in a space journey alongside home-grown astronauts.
Minister for space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Andrew Griffith, highlighted the immense potential for UK businesses to contribute to space exploration and technological advancement. “There is huge potential for UK businesses to play an increasingly important role in space exploration and the development of new technologies,” Griffith stated.
The science call aims to bolster UK-based researchers in leveraging microgravity and the space environment for scientific research, aligning with national space strategy goals and research priorities. Concurrently, the technology demonstrator call seeks to trial innovative technologies within a space environment, particularly focusing on critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Annelies Look, UK Space Agency deputy CEO, emphasized the commitment to keeping the UK space sector at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation. “We want to keep the UK space sector at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation, so this has been front and center of our work with Axiom Space since October,” Look remarked.
Dr. Lucie Low, chief scientist for microgravity research at Axiom Space, expressed delight in supporting the UK Space Agency's efforts. “Axiom Space is delighted to support the UK Space Agency in its efforts to solicit impactful scientific and technological development projects that can advance the goals of human exploration of space, as well as bring benefit to citizens on Earth,” said Low.
The collaboration between the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space for a commercial mission has garnered the full support of the European Space Agency. The announcement comes following a Memorandum of Understanding inked by the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space in October 2023, outlining plans for a commercially-sponsored UK astronaut mission and soliciting ideas for science and technology.
“Our Axiom Space missions to date have enabled researchers from across the globe to utilize the microgravity environment for national research and technology development priorities, and we continue to work together to secure sponsorships for this exciting mission,” added Dr. Low.