UK Space Agency
Commercial spaceports seen as the future for European launch
Actors engaged in the emerging European commercial launch sector are looking to European commercial spaceports to be established rather than shipping rockets farther afield.
Lockheed Martin selects ABL Space Systems for UK launch
ABL Space Systems will conduct a launch for Lockheed Martin from a new spaceport in the Shetland Islands, fulfilling an agreement with the British government announced in 2018.
AAC Clyde Space to develop cubesats to offer array of services
AAC Clyde Space announced a 19 million euro ($22.5 million) contract backed by the U.K. Space Agency to develop a 10-cubesat communications and Earth-observation constellation.
Lockheed Martin shifts U.K. launch site
More than two years after Lockheed Martin announced it would be one of the first customers of a proposed spaceport in Scotland, the company has decided to move to another proposed spaceport there.
U.K. to revise strategy for satellite navigation system
The British government, seeking a replacement for the Galileo satellite navigation system, said it will consider alternatives to an original plan to develop its own satellite constellation.
British government finalizing launch regulations
The British government expects to soon release a comprehensive set of regulations that will enable companies to perform commercial launches from spaceports in the country.
U.K. government to fund spaceport improvements for Virgin Orbit
The U.K. Space Agency will provide $9.5 million for infrastructure at a British airport that seeks to host Virgin Orbit’s air-launch system.
U.K. to fund development of spaceport facilities for Virgin Orbit
The U.K. Space Agency and a local government announced plans June 4 to invest in facilities at a British airport to support launch operations by Virgin Orbit.
UK jump-starts OneWeb-ESA program with $23 million pledge
The multiyear investment begins with 18-month contract worth few million pounds.
As satellites become targets, UK military seeks closer ties with space industry
U.K. military official: “Here we have a sector in which we excel, which is daily growing more central to everyone’s lives, but is vulnerable to attack."
British government to fund study on Galileo alternative
The British government announced Aug. 29 that it will spend more than $100 million to study whether the country should develop its own satellite navigation system as an alternative to Europe’s Galileo.
Virgin Orbit describes interest in launching from Britain
Virgin Orbit says an agreement that could lead to LauncherOne missions from an English airport is part of an effort to both better meet the needs of its customers as well as support the U.K. space industry.
Lockheed Martin, Orbex to launch from new British spaceport
The British government announced July 16 that it will provide funding to two companies, including an American aerospace giant, who plan to use a newly announced launch site in Scotland.
U.K. selects Scottish spaceport site
After years of study and consideration, the British government announced July 15 that it will start development of a new spaceport in northern Scotland, while an English airport signed a deal that could also lead to launches from its facility.
UK military looking at smallsats to increase space resilience
U.K. Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier says the cost-effective technology with its short development cycles would enable the military to always take advantage of the latest technological developments, unlike the traditional slow-paced military satellite projects.
UK hopes new $132 million satellite testing plant will assuage Brexit concerns for space industry
A 99 million pound ($132 million) satellite test facility to be built at the U.K.’s Harwell Campus should bring more business to the space hub here and ensure Britain’s satellite manufacturers can carry on without disruption post-Brexit, according to Chris Mutlow, director of RAL Space, the space division of the U.K. state-run Rutherford Appleton Laboratory here.
British government to offer funding for spaceports and launchers
A new national industrial strategy unveiled by the British government Nov. 27 includes 50 million pounds ($67 million) to support development of new launch sites and launch vehicles.
Consortium including Lockheed Martin wants to develop a spaceport in the Scottish Highlands
The consortium has met with local officials and submitted a proposal to the U.K. Space Agency, with a goal of having the facility operational by 2020.
U.K. offering grants for launches from new spaceports in the country
The UK Space Agency said the grants are worth up to £10 million ($12.5 million) but launches must begin by 2020.
Britain selects U.S., French, British teams to study spaceport feasibility
The British government has awarded feasibility-study contracts to five industrial teams that want to operate orbital or suborbital launch vehicles from British territory on a commercial basis.
