The UK Space Agency has announced £10.5 million in funding for five innovative space projects across Scotland, marking a significant boost for the country’s space industry. The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow, where the projects were introduced as part of the UK Government’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), aimed at fostering technological innovation and growth in the space sector.
The funding includes £8.5 million for two major Scottish projects. The first is a sub-orbital rocket test led by HyImpulse, set to launch from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, while the second, led by Spire Global, will develop advanced technology for supplying unique weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction centres. Both projects are expected to enhance Scotland’s space capabilities, attracting further international investment and creating new jobs.
Three additional ‘Kick Starter’ projects will share £2.4 million in funding, designed to support early-stage space technologies. These include a feasibility study into the use of terrestrial directed energy drilling for lunar exploration, developed in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and SJE Space.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, speaking at Farnborough, highlighted the importance of these investments, saying: “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. Scotland is a major player in the international space industry, and I am delighted the UK Government is backing the sector with £10.9 million in funding for these five projects.”
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, emphasised the broader benefits of these investments: “These projects will help kickstart growth, create high-quality jobs, and support our planet’s future. This is central to our mission as a national space agency – to support cutting-edge innovation and spread opportunities across the UK.”
One of the flagship projects, the Sustainable Hybrid: Accelerated Rocket Programme (SHARP), will receive nearly £5 million to conduct a vertical launch of a sounding rocket in the UK, with the goal of building and testing the second stage of an orbital rocket. This programme, led by HyImpulse in partnership with Cranfield University, Birmingham University, and AVICON, is designed to offer low-cost, fast, and flexible satellite deployment services.
Another key project, the Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite (OHMS-Sat), led by Spire Global, will receive £3.5 million to advance hyperspectral microwave sounder technology, crucial for improving global weather forecasting and providing unique weather products.
The three smaller, early-stage projects focus on new technologies. The DIGGER project, led by the University of Strathclyde in partnership with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space, will explore the potential for using directed energy drilling, such as plasmas and microwaves, in space exploration, particularly on the Moon and asteroids.
The Direct Detection Receivers for Millimetre Wave Radiometry project will develop new low-noise amplifier and detector technology, supporting advanced atmospheric remote sensing and emerging applications like security imaging. Finally, TARS-IOD will develop a modular robotic arm for dynamic space operations, intended for demonstration on the Vigoride platform.
The investment demonstrates the growing role of Scotland in the global space industry and reinforces the UK’s commitment to advancing its space sector through strategic funding and innovative partnerships.
