UK
UK Export Finance steps up space sector focus
Britain’s export credit agency has long discussed more involvement in the satellite industry, but didn’t have any major deals to show for it until now.
Iridium makes GMDSS progress • Kepler’s next cubesat to test new radiator • Scisys breaks ground in Germany
Iridium moved closer to launching an emergency maritime communications service by signing a public services agreement with the International Mobile Satellite Organization.
UK space company Scisys, fearing Brexit, praises decision to become Irish
Scisys Group, a formerly British company involved in the European Union’s Galileo satellite program, says its change of location from Chippenham, England, to Dublin, Ireland, was immediately positive for its space business.
HTS, megaconstellations feed UK indecisiveness about Skynet 6 program
Commercial satellite technology is developing so fast, Britain’s Ministry of Defense isn’t certain its next-generation program will keep pace with what the future holds.
New space companies confident about future of small satellites
Ken Gabriel, CEO of Draper Labs: The idea of small satellites making up large constellations is a “powerful shift."
Oxford Space Systems raises $8.9 million for spacecraft component business
Oxford Space Systems, a British startup that hopes to compete with space industry giants Harris Corp. and Northrop Grumman in the satellite component business, has raised 6.7 million British pounds ($8.9 million) from investors.
Could Britain collaborate with Australia on a Galileo alternative?
As the U.K. continues to wrangle with the EU over Galileo, there is growing speculation that the country could seek to develop its own independent global navigation system with Australia — or even Japan.
UK-Ukrainian launch vehicle developer Skyrora to establish smallsat launch site
U.K.-based Skyrora has unveiled plans to host a suborbital test flight in the fourth quarter of 2018. As part of its strategy to meet the rising demand for small satellite launches in a cost-effective manner, the company aims to set up a facility to launch smallsats from Scotland.
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.
UK aims to become space startup haven to achieve growth target
The U.K. plans to become a haven for space startups from all over the world as it aims to grow its space industry to control 10 percent of the global market by 2030.
Clyde Space joins Teledyne e2v to explore quantum technology in space
The Cold Atom Space Payload mission “will create a new wave of space applications,” according to Craig Clark, Clyde Space chief executive.
U.K. could be locked out of some aspects of Galileo because of Brexit
Officials warned that the UK's impending exit from the EU would require the country to negotiate a new deal to remain part of Galileo.
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’s quitting the EU, but will it be forced out of EU space programs?
The British vote to leave the European Union may occur gradually over two years but raises multiple immediate questions about the consequences for Europe’s space programs and Britain’s role in them.
U.S. ITAR satellite export regime’s effects still strong in Europe
The U.S. government policy prohibiting even the most banal U.S.-built widget from being launched aboard Chinese rockets may seem like yesterday’s news in Washington, but it is still a live issue in Europe.
Britain Backpedals on Privatized Milcom Satellites
Twelve years ago, Britain revolutionized the process of purchasing military satellite telecommunications by outsourcing it all to the private sector. Now it appears about to return to conventional procurement for its follow-on satellites.
