Space South Central Newsletter🌎

longside Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Space, Cyber and Regulatory Reform, UCL and its industry collaborators Seraphim Space VC, Space South Central (SSC), and the Satellite Applications Catapult announced the launch of the new UK Space Landing Pad Programme.

The programme is a six-month pilot designed to attract and support international space companies with high potential that are looking to establish a commercial presence in the UK. The first five participants in the programme will be announced later this year.

It offers structured mentorship, regulatory guidance, technical facilities, and direct exposure to commercial partners and investors to help ease these companies’ entry to the UK market. 

Historically, the UK’s commercial space sector, though quite capable, has been fragmented and difficult for unfamiliar international companies to enter, which the UK Space Landing Pad Programme is seeking to address.

IDEALondon is an innovation hub helping early startup teams to grow and scale that was founded by UCL Engineering and operated by WilbelLAB. In addition to allocating space at IDEALondon, UCL is providing additional research support by sharing its academic expertise, talent pipelines and collaborative R&D capabilities. 

New UK space strategy to bring government's investment and activity under one plan to drive growth, strengthen security and back everyday technologies.

Safeguarding our national security and defence capabilities are the key pillars of a new strategy launched on Tuesday 8 September which puts the UK’s space sector to work in reindustrialising the country over the coming years. 

Backed by a record £7.8 billion until 2030, the UK Space Strategy brings government’s space investment and activity under one plan to drive growth, strengthen security and back the technologies that underpin modern life. 

It also recognises space as an increasingly important domain for keeping our country safe. Work to strengthen Space Domain Awareness – the study and monitoring of objects like satellites, rockets and debris orbiting our planet – is being backed by projects including £149 million for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Vigil mission and £85 million for the National Space Operations Centre. UK funding will see British tech offer earlier warnings of potential satellite collisions, hostile activity and solar storms, helping protect the power, communications and navigation services people rely on every day.

New industrial leadership for UKspace

In his new role as Chair of UKspace, Ben Stern has issued a call for action, saying “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of UKspace at a defining moment for Britain’s space sector. Space is fundamental to national security, economic growth, scientific leadership and everyday life across the UK. Britain has the talent, innovation and capability to be a leading space nation and a globally trusted partner. My priority will be to ensure industry and government work together to turn strategic ambition into sustained national capability and commercial success.”

Ben, who is a Key Account Manager for Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, has been Vice-Chair of UKspace since September 2024, working alongside outgoing Chair Doug Liddle.

Working alongside Ben to champion the UK space industry will be Sharon Parker-Lines, who takes over as UKspace’s new Vice-Chair. Sharon is Deputy Managing Director and SVP Business Operations, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Astroscale in the UK.

Circuits Integrated Secures Pre-Seed Funding from Evercurious to Accelerate CI-ONE Commercialization

University launches new institute to tackle environmental challenges following summer of heatwaves and droughts

The University of Portsmouth has officially launched its new Institute of the Earth and Environment (IEE), bringing together leading expertise to solve environmental challenges, deepen our understanding of Earth’s behaviour and help build a more sustainable future.

The new institute unites over 70 academics from interdisciplinary backgrounds, spanning the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and human systems. By connecting expertise from across the Earth system, the IEE creates a powerful research network focused on addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing society.

Scientists gain new insight into the inner workings of stellar explosions

New clues about how stars explode and forge the chemical elements that make up everything from planets to people have come to light, thanks to research led by the University of Surrey. 

In two separate papers published in Physical Review Letters, researchers investigated the nuclear reactions that take place inside supernovae and X-ray bursts – two of the Universe's most powerful explosions. Together, the findings will help scientists build more accurate models of how stars explode and how newly formed elements are produced. 

The first study focused on supernovae – bright, powerful explosions that mark the death of massive stars. Despite centuries of observations, scientists still do not fully understand how these explosions unfold. One of the best clues comes from radioactive titanium-44, which is produced during a supernova and can still be detected by space telescopes long after the explosion. 

Tiny satellite will use the dark side of the Moon to eavesdrop on whispers from the early universe

University of Portsmouth scientists support international mission to create a clear, quiet spot in space to "listen" for an “ancient whisper” to unlock the secrets of the Cosmic Dawn

A tiny UK-developed satellite, roughly the size of a small carry-on suitcase, could help answer one of the biggest questions in cosmology: what happened in the roughly 150 million years of cosmic dark ages, before the universe’s first stars appeared?  

An international team, led by the University of Cambridge and including scientists from the University of Portsmouth, will use the dark side of the Moon as a ‘shield’ so that the satellite – called CosmoCube – can block out all the noise from Earth and listen for a faint whisper from the very early universe.  

This whisper, known as the 21-centimetre line, is a signal emitted by hydrogen atoms in the period in between the afterglow of the Big Bang and Cosmic Dawn, when nuclear fusion lit up the first stars. No one has directly observed this era before.  

Detecting this signal from more than 13.5 billion years ago is extremely difficult with Earth-based telescopes, since the Earth’s ionosphere blocks the right frequencies, and interference from FM radio, satellites and telecommunications drowns it out. 

Call for Membership Nominations: Space Exploration Advisory Committee

Moon Landing Coding Collective

Earlier this year ESA Space Solutions ran a thematic call on wildfire response which drew fantastic proposals, many of which are in-process to becoming excellent solutions delivering excellent outcomes. 
I am pleased to inform of a new call which opened this month on wildfire preparedness.

Wildfire Preparedness

Looking for solutions that will address wildfire risk assessment, fuel load management, and the application of preventative and adaptation measures.

Opening date:      01/09/2026
Closing date:     01/12/2026 
Proposals may address one or more of the following areas:
•    Integrated wildfire risk assessments combining satellite and terrestrial data sources to characterise hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
•    Landscape scale risk and exposure mapping to support strategic planning, land management, and policy decisions.
•    Seasonal or longer term wildfire hazard analyses supporting pre season preparedness and prioritisation of mitigation activities.
Risk information products tailored to the needs of preparedness stakeholders such as land managers, planners, insurers, and public authorities
 

• Early detection and monitoring of wildfires, floods, extreme weather, and infrastructure failures​ 
• Monitoring of transmission corridors, vegetation encroachment, and environmental risks​. 
• Integration of space weather information for grid risk forecasting​ 
• Post-event damage assessment and operational recovery support​ 
• Scalable and interoperable platforms supporting use across multiple transmission system environments, subject to applicable requirements

• High-accuracy and resilient timing capabilities for applications within digital substations and other grid applications requiring stringent timing performance, subject to applicable technical and security requirements ​  
• Precise positioning for onshore and offshore grid assets​  
• Detection of interference, spoofing, and signal degradation​  
• Satellite backup communications when terrestrial networks fail​  
• Secure connectivity for grid restoration and emergency operations

International Bilateral Fund – Call 3
 
EOI Deadline: Monday, 14th September 2026

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 4 November 2026
 
The UK Space Agency, part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade (BIST), invites proposals for projects through the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) that will help strengthen the UK space sector’s international partnerships.

Read more here.
 
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Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3
 
Deadline: Wednesday, 14th October 2026
 
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme allows a UK registered business to partner with a UK higher/further education institution, research and technology organisation (RTO) or Catapult. Applicants are encouraged to design KTP projects that can be delivered within 24 months.
 
The KTP partnership brings new skills and the latest academic thinking into the business partner to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. The knowledge base partner (HE or FE education institution, RTO or Catapult) recruits the ‘associate’ to work on the project. The associate has the opportunity to lead a strategic development within the business, developing new skills and gaining valuable experience.
 
Read more here.
 
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Investor Partnerships – ACT and Semiconductors
 
Deadline: Wednesday, 14th October 2026
 
This funding opportunity is a £15m joint call, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) to develop Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) and Semiconductor solutions. These are both frontier technologies in the Digital & Technologies Sector Plan of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
 
Read more here.
 
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Advancing atmospheric and aerial autonomy
 
Deadline: Wednesday 21st October 2026
 
Apply for proof-of-concept funding to develop, integrate, deploy, and demonstrate innovative autonomous solutions for atmospheric science or autonomous aerial systems for environmental applications. Projects must deliver demonstrator capability, high-quality environmental data, and pathways towards wider use and adoption.
 
Read more here.
 
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National Materials Innovation Programme CR&D competition
 
Deadline: Wednesday, 28th October 2026
 
This is an opportunity for UK-based advanced material innovators to secure grant funding for projects that speed the translation of advanced materials innovations in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme toward industrial adoption across the eight growth driving sectors identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy (IS-8).
 
This funding is part of the National Materials Innovation Programme, which was announced as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy. This competition is the first round of collaborative industrial research projects under the programme, designed to speed the translation of advanced materials innovations toward industrial adoption in three prioritised high growth themes and one strategic opportunity theme.
 
Read more here.
 
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Orbit South Central October 2026

On Wednesday 21st October 2026, Space South Central is delighted to host our monthly networking event, Orbit South Central at Surrey Technology Centre.

Learn more about how to join UKspace and what members have to gain from joining. As well as an in-depth look at what the new UK Space Strategy means for your business. Plus a frontline account of UKspace’s presence at the Labour Party Conference.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. You can follow our Twitter and LinkedIn accounts, where we share regular updates about our work and events.

By applying for tickets, you will automatically be registered for our monthly newsletter. Should you wish to opt out, please email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Sign up here.

Business South 2026 Annual Conference

The Business South Annual Conference is the flagship business event in the Central South region’s calendar. Attracting over 200 senior business leaders and key stakeholders from the private and public sector it enables new connections to be established and new collaborations to take place.

The title of the Business South Annual Conference for 2026 is Shaping Tomorrow Together, they look forward to welcoming our champions and guests.

The Central South is home to a world-class defence and aerospace sector, with outstanding strengths in innovation, engineering, technology, and highly skilled talent, the sector is worth an estimated £1.5 billion in Hampshire alone. At this year’s Business South Annual Conference, their Defence & Aerospace panel will explore the sector’s significant contribution to the region and its potential to drive future economic growth.

Find out more here.

Space Tech Expo Europe

From November 17-19, 2026, the global space community will converge in Bremen, Germany, for Space Tech Expo Europe. As Europe’s largest B2B exhibition for the space supply chain, this event is the premier hub for discovering the next generation of satellite technology and space-bound innovations.

The expo is the ultimate meeting point for engineers and decision-makers. It offers a unique look into the full space supply chain, from advanced manufacturing and testing services to the high-performance materials that make missions possible. It’s where the industry connects to solve the challenges of modern space exploration.

Following last year’s success, Space South Central will be exhibiting again at this year’s Space Tech Expo in Bremen. If you are attending the event, please get in touch so we can include you in Space South Central communications and any SSC-related activities taking place during the expo. If you are not attending but would like to be represented, please also contact us. Send all enquiries to our Business Engagement Officer, Victoria May-Chamberlain, at [email protected].

Find out more here.

From Space to Place

Connecting Space Technology and Spatial Planning for a Resilient Future: a joint event by Space4Climate and Digital Task Force for Planning

Tackling the grand challenges of climate change and biodiversity decline, and finding practical solutions for more resilient places, are shared responsibilities. Both the space technology and spatial planning communities have a significant role to play. FROM SPACE TO PLACE will bring these two innovative sectors together, connecting leading UK expertise in Earth Observation, satellite technology and climate intelligence with leaders in spatial planning, digital innovation and planning services.

The event marks the launch of a new partnership between Space4Climate and the Digital Task Force for Planning, creating opportunities to share knowledge, showcase expertise and services, understand the challenges and opportunities across both sectors, and build new collaborations.

Sign up here.

Want to become a member of the Space South Central regional space cluster?

Join our growing community of innovators, investors, researchers and space‑enabled businesses. As a member, you’ll gain access to dedicated support, curated opportunities, and a powerful regional network.

Get involved and help shape the future of the South Central space economy.

The UK space sector is a vibrant ecosystem comprising diverse stakeholder communities, renowned for numerous innovative and globally recognised projects and programmes. However, the sector has traditionally lacked a cohesive systems approach to unite these varied forces and foster collaboration towards a shared vision for the future.

The Space Enterprise Community (SEC) platform has been designed to help address this challenge and support the UK Space Ecosystem to connect and thrive, offering users a selection of tools, resources and groups that connect stakeholders from different communities to enable collaboration while providing support and real-time updates on the latest news, events and opportunities.

As physical anchors for the UK Space Ecosystem and complementing the Space Enterprise Community platform, the Space Enterprise Labs (SELs) bring communities together, both locally and nationally.

They include free access to resources, virtual demonstrations and expertise, as well as technology including:

• Large interactive touch screens and virtual canvas with full connectivity capabilities, enabling seamless delivery of meetings, business support sessions, capability demonstrations, and opportunity development workshops.
• Video conferencing licenses and professional webcams to run high-quality webinars and engage the community.
• Virtual Reality Headsets for demonstrations of space capability (1-on-1 or at events) such as the bespoke Virtual Reality Satellite 101 demonstration featuring the launch, deployment, and operation of a satellite.