UK funding for international space projects

Eleven projects that showcase UK space expertise internationally secure funding from the UK Space Agency.

The announcement comes as the global space industry lands in Colorado Springs for the 39th Space Symposium on Monday 8 April.   

The UK Space Agency’s £20mln International Bilateral Fund is focused on supporting the UK space sector to work directly with international partners on projects.

It is funding, among others, the University of Strathclyde to work with organisations including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Alan Turing Institute to use artificial intelligence to improve space operations, safety and sustainability. 

Vertical Future is developing a robotic ‘space farm’ facility to grow plants in space, and Rolls-Royce is working with US company BWXT on space nuclear power. 

This is the second phase of investment awarded through the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund, following the first phase in August 2023.  Phase 1 funded 32 projects up to £75,000 each, all of whom entered a process for further funding from Phase 2.

Space Minister, Andrew Griffith MP, says, ‘The UK is home to some of the brightest minds in space science, aerospace engineering and an entrepreneurial commercial space sector. It’s no wonder the world wants to collaborate with Britain when it comes to space.’

The Space Symposium runs from 8-11 April in Colorado Springs and brings together over 10,000 people from the global space industry. The UK’s growing space sector is represented at the event by organisations including the UK Space Agency, UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), various government departments, companies and universities.