UK Space Agency £10.9 million boost for Scottish space sector

There are two larger scale projects involving a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse UK from the SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, and Spire Global developing technology to supply unique weather forecasting data.

There are also three “Kick Starter” projects covering energy resources for lunar exploration (University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space), low noise amplifier and detector technology for atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation (UKRI/STFC/RAL Space in partnership with University of Glasgow and Spire Glasgow), and a modular astro-robotic system (Lodestar Space, Growbotics and University of Glasgow).

“This is an exciting time for the Scottish space sector as we look forward to the first satellite launch from SaxaVord in Shetland later this year,” said Ian Murray, the new Scottish Secretary (pictured). “The burgeoning industry plays a vital role in our economy and employs thousands of people across the country.”

“Scotland is a major player in the international space industry and I am delighted the UK Government is continuing to back the sector with £10.9 million in funding for these five Scottish projects.”

Main projects

The two main projects – summarised by the UKSA – are as follows:

SHARP – Sustainable Hybrid: Accelerated Rocket Programme (Funding: £4,995,000)

This project will set out to conduct a vertical launch of a sounding rocket in the UK with the final goal being the build completion of the second stage of the orbital rocket ready for testing. HyImpulse UK, in partnership with Cranfield University, Birmingham University and the AVICON Partnership, intends to provide a fully vertically integrated launch service for a low-cost, fast, flexible, and reliable deployment of small satellites to low earth orbits.

Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite (OHMS-Sat) (Funding: £3,524,000)

Led by Spire Global in partnership with STAR-Dundee Ltd, the Met Office and RAL Space (UKRI STFC), this project will build on the prior developments of the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS) to move it towards an operational mission to supply weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres and create unique weather products.

Kick Starter

The tree additional Kick Starter Projects – again, summarised by the UKSA – are as follows:

DIGGER – Drilling and Integrated GigaHertz-Generated Energy Resource for Lunar and Asteroid applications (Funding: £845,000)

In partnership with University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space, DIGGER is a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling (plasmas/microwaves) could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration.

Direct Detection Receivers for Millimetre Wave Radiometry (Funding: £827,000)

Led by UKRI / STFC / RAL Space in partnership with University of Glasgow and Spire Glasgow, the project will develop the critical low noise amplifier and detector technology which will be at the core of the next generation of atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation. This technology will go beyond gathering data for weather prediction, with use cases being developed in emerging fields such as security imaging, and theft prevention.

TARS-IOD: Flight-ready model for In-Orbit Demonstration of Tomorrow’s Astro-Robotic System (Funding: £804,000)

Lodestar Space Ltd. will develop a platform-agnostic modular robotic arm to perform contact dependent dynamic space operations. Intended for flight on Momentus’ Vigoride platform, the partnership also involves Growbotics and the University of Glasgow to equip the UK with sovereign capabilities for inspecting, protecting, and repairing vital assets beyond Earth.

Scottish space sector

The project funding comes from the UK National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), which invests in high-potential technologies to help drive growth in the national space sector.

“These new projects will help kickstart growth, create more high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations,” said Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency.

“They go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”

See also: Glasgow readying to launch Space-Comm Expo Scotland 2024