British businesses, universities and researchers are to receive access to more than £62 million in government funding to develop homegrown satellite communications and space technologies.
The funding was unveiled on Monday at the Farnborough International Airshow by Space Minister Liz Lloyd. The government said it would help turn early-stage ideas into commercial products, strengthen the UK’s ability to monitor and protect assets in orbit, and build a more resilient domestic space sector.
The package includes £42 million for new British satellite communications technologies and £20 million for space innovation projects across industry and universities. The government said satellite communications are increasingly important for services including broadband in remote communities and mobile connectivity on rail, in the air and at sea.
The £42 million will be offered through the third funding round of the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit programme. Eligible organisations include UK businesses, universities and research organisations developing satellite communications technologies.
Ministers said building domestic capability was important to national security, economic resilience and the UK’s ability to act independently in a strategically important sector. The announcement also linked the work to monitoring and protecting orbital assets.
New figures from the UK Space Agency said its Accelerator programme had backed 289 founders and helped raise more than £102 million in investment. The programme works with early-stage space companies to attract investment, develop technologies and win customers.