Dear Reader,
As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, things are sizzling at Space South Central! June has been a whirlwind of innovation, collaboration, and cosmic discovery across our cluster.
This month, Surrey Nanosystems joined forces with the University of Surrey to tackle a growing challenge in the night sky: satellite reflectivity. Their partnership is taking bold steps to reduce satellite brightness, safeguarding the future of ground-based astronomy and ensuring our view of the universe remains crystal clear.
Our latest case study zooms in on Ohm Space, a trailblazer in satellite propulsion. Their cutting-edge technology is setting new standards for high-performance space travel, propelling the industry—and our imaginations—forward.
The University of Southampton hosted a dynamic webinar, "Synergising EO and In-Situ Data for Crop Stress Detection and Monitoring." This event brought together top scientists, academics, UK Space Agency representatives, and public sector leaders to explore how space technology can revolutionise agriculture and food security.
It’s celebration time for astronomers at the University of Portsmouth! Their team played a pivotal role in capturing breathtaking new images of the cosmos, thanks to the most ambitious sky survey ever undertaken. The universe has never looked more spectacular.
In a stellar milestone, the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter—equipped with instruments crafted at UCL—has snapped the first-ever images of the Sun’s elusive south pole. This unprecedented view promises to unlock new mysteries about our closest star.
We also have plenty of news from the Space South Central community, as well as, our monthly update from our ESA Ambassador Elizabeth Clutton and all the latest events and funding.
For all the latest updates on our work and the Space South Central cluster, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Ebony Desposito
Digital Marketing Officer
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Surrey NanoSystems and University of Surrey partner to combat satellite reflectivity and protect astronomy
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Surrey NanoSystems has joined forces with scientists at the University of Surrey, led by astrophysicist Dr Noelia Noel, to tackle the increasing issue of satellite brightness, which threatens ground-based astronomical research.
More than 8,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites already orbit Earth and projections estimate a rise to 60,000 by 2030, partly driven by the development of mega-constellations. The rate of growth means the issue of light reflecting from satellites back to Earth is pressing for astronomers and star gazers, as images from the Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile have highlighted.
To combat this problem, satellite operators have begun experimenting with mitigation strategies including dark coatings and changes to satellite position, though the negative impact on ground-based measurement persists. Surrey NanoSystems, with a heritage in ultra-black technologies, have developed an innovative new solution: Vantablack 310 is a handleable, customer applied coating, resistant to the challenging LEO environment.
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OhmSpace: Revolutionising satellite propulsion with high-performance technology
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Ohm Space is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in space: delivering fast, efficient, and sustainable satellite propulsion systems.
Founded by Dr Federico Romei, the company builds on a decade of innovative research in electric propulsion, which began during Federico’s time at the University of Southampton in 2013. His work evolved from Pulsed Plasma Thrusters to pioneering research on high-temperature resistojets under the mentorship of the late Dr Angelo Grubisic. This research culminated in the UKSA-funded STAR project and an EPSRC prototype programme, laying the technological foundation for OhmSpace.
After years of development, Federico was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship in 2022. This allowed him to fully dedicate himself to the commercialisation of OhmSpace’s core technology. Following initial challenges with UK investors, he secured backing from Italian investors and co-founded OhmSpace in Rome, while retaining strong R&D ties in Southampton. In late 2022, Federico was joined by Matteo Careddu, whose automotive background added vital expertise in manufacturing and scale-up. Together, they raised their first major round of funding in late 2023.
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University of Southampton international webinar: “Synergizing EO and In-Situ Data for Crop Stress Detection and Monitoring," 20 May 2025
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The event brought together scientists from academia, a global scientific network, the Space Agency, and the public sector, to discuss this joint initiative by EO4CerealStress and the European Space Agency (ESA) (https://eo4cerealstress.org/ ).
EO4CerealStress is an ESA-funded project aimed at developing EO-based products to understand and monitor the effects of individual and multiple stressors on cereal crops. The project is led by the University of Southampton and has a consortium of four institutes: the University of Seville, Spain, the University of Guelph, Ontario, the University of Twente in the Netherlands, and the global fintech company, BOKU.
Speakers included ESA’s Science Coordinator, Dr. Espen Volden from Italy, Dr. Catherine Champagne from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Prof. Victor Galiano (University of Seville), Dr. Roshanak Darvishzadeh (University of Twente), Prof. Jadu Dash (University of Southampton, UK), Dr. Alice Laborte (IRRI, Philippines), Dr. Omid Ghorbanzadeh (BOKU), and Mr. Emanuel Büechi (TU Wien) from Austria. Dr. Zaib-un-Nisa, Research Fellow at the University of Southampton and EO4CerealStress Project Manager, was the session moderator. More than 30 experts from around the world participated.
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Portsmouth astronomers celebrate role in capturing stunning images of our Universe
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University of Portsmouth (UoP) researchers are celebrating their role in the most ambitious sky survey to date, as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory showcases its stunning first images today (June 23).
Located on a mountaintop in Chile, the telescope is capturing the cosmos in exquisite detail. Using the largest camera ever built, Rubin’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST, will repeatedly scan the sky for 10 years and create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of our Universe.
Enabled by an investment of £23 million from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), UK astronomers and software developers have been preparing the hardware and software needed to analyse the petabytes of data that the survey will produce to enable groundbreaking science that will enhance our understanding of the universe.
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First ever look at the Sun’s south pole
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The European Space Agency-led spacecraft Solar Orbiter, which carries instruments designed and built at UCL, has captured the first ever images of the Sun’s south pole.
The Sun as seen by Solar Orbiter's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, with the south pole visible
All previous images of the Sun were taken from directly above the Sun’s equator. This is because Earth, the other planets, and spacecraft orbit the Sun within a flat disc called the ecliptic plane. Following a slingshot flyby of the planet Venus in February this year, Solar Orbiter has tilted out of this plane, revealing the Sun from a whole new angle.
This new viewing angle will help change our understanding of the Sun’s magnetic field, the solar cycle (an 11-year cycle of solar activity) and the workings of space weather.
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Free Space-Themed Coding Adventure for 5-8-Year-Olds
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Thanks to funding from UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, Get with the Program has funding to offer 200 schools a FREE Moon Landing Coding Adventure to be run remotely on a date of their choice between April 2025 and February 2026! This opportunity would usually cost each school £360!
The fun Moon Landing Coding Adventure explains more about the original moon landing, and helps 5-8 year-olds (e.g. Years 1-3) learn practical coding skills and create algorithms to code a robot to explore the moon – while covering the computing curriculum – for FREE! It also smashes stereotypes around ethnicity and gender, highlighting STEM role models from less well-represented groups, including Katherine Johnson and Margaret Hamilton.
The package includes:
- An exciting, streamed video assembly (30 mins)
- Engaging follow-on activities (45 mins each)
- Worksheets designed to help increase diversity in aerospace careers
- A variety of practical teaching support resources
Nominate a school or volunteer to help: www.getwiththeprogram.org.uk/reach-for-the-sky
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ispace-EUROPE and the European Space Agency Sign Agreement for Phase 1 of Lunar Exploration Rover Mission (MAGPIE)
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ispace EUROPE S.A. (ispace-EUROPE), a lunar exploration and resources development company based in Luxembourg, has signed an extension to its Pre-Phase A contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) that further funds the Mission for Advanced Geophysics and Polar Ice Exploration (MAGPIE).
The agreement comes in the context of the Small Missions for Exploration initiative launched by ESA. This initiative called for innovative and short-term mission ideas for lunar exploration. ispace’s MAGPIE concept was selected and awarded a pre-phase A contract on Dec. 12, 2024. Under the Phase 1 extension agreement, ispace-EUROPE will collaborate with ESA on the implementation of the lunar exploration mission. In aggregate, the value of the contracts for the two phases is €2,695,000 (approximately ¥437 million JPY).
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Spaceflux Labs launches PhD & Internship Programme with UCL
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Spaceflux Labs has kicked off a new partnership with UCL’s Centre for Doctoral Training - UCL Centre for Data Intensive Science and Industry. This marks a major step forward in connecting academic research with real-world applications in AI-powered Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
This collaboration is designed to create a strong pipeline between academia and industry, offering PhD students hands-on experience in the UK Space Sector while accelerating the development of cutting-edge SSA capabilities.
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The Invisible Economy: How thermal imaging reveals industrial & energy market trends
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When assessing the pulse of an economy, macro indicators only tell part of the story. The deeper truth lies within industrial processes - the engines that drive productivity and trade. We believe that this level can only be achieved by tracking global measurements hidden from view. With space-based thermal imaging, you can do just that.
Thermal imaging: the next-generation economic barometer
Unlike traditional optical and SAR data, which rely on what’s visible (like smoke from a factory or coal stockpiles), thermal imagery captures signals of what’s happening inside an industrial facility. This means we can monitor heat-intensive industries such as metal production, refineries, data centers and energy plants and get a direct view into how facilities are actually operating:
- Is the facility operational?
- Is there an anomaly?
- Is an asset operating at higher capacity? And how much is being produced?
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Hello!
It’s been a whirlwind month of travel and events before the summer break officially kicks in! I kicked things off with London Tech Week, which had a strong focus on AI this year. One of the highlights was hearing Professor Brian Cox speak—he drew fascinating parallels between how astronomers map the universe and how quantum computers identify patterns. I’ll admit, some of it went a bit over my head, but it was captivating nonetheless!
Next stop was the MSK Crossover Meeting at the University of Southampton: “Mechanobiology and Cellular Responses to Physical Stimuli.” I was there to spotlight ESA funding opportunities through CASE (Commercial Applications Enabled by Space Environments)—a great chance to connect with researchers exploring innovative applications in space and health.
After that, I headed to Harwell to welcome the newest ESA BIC inductees and explore follow-on opportunities with BASS. It’s always inspiring to meet the next wave of space-enabled startups.
This week, I’ve been at Reset Connect in London, where BASS had a strong presence. We hosted several talks on accessing funding, and my colleague Pier and I were busy holding down the ESA stand. We had a steady stream of enquiries, so I’m looking forward to some promising follow-ups!
And just yesterday, I attended the latest round of insightful talks at SSC Orbit in Southampton—another great opportunity to engage with the space innovation community.
Here’s to a productive end to the month—and hopefully a slightly quieter July!
I’ll be in Cambridge with Space East next Monday to highlight funding opportunities’, and I’ll be joined by ESA Technical Officer Kavitha Muthu from the Smart Cities task force to share upcoming funding calls. Please do join us if you are in the region, lunch is on us!
Now for ESA themed calls;
Just launched; Enhancing Port Safety and Efficiency through Space
Ports face various challenges, including congestion, infrastructure limitations, safety and security, digitalisation, connectivity and environmental concerns. These challenges can lead to delays, disruptions, and increased costs. Ports worldwide are increasingly implementing policies and strategies that enhance the efficiency, safety and security of their operations, recognising the added value offered by digitalisation and related technologies.
Innovative solutions which enhance marine environment monitoring, improve operational efficiency, and bolster safety and security measures are required. These solutions will rely on seamless connectivity within the port digital ecosystem and will seek to integrate he diverse platforms and vehicles into a cohesive system.
Topics of Relevance
The following topics are examples of relevant themes that could be addressed within this Call for Proposals. Other topics can also be proposed if supported by the user community.
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Port safety
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Port Security
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Port Automation
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Movement of passengers
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Movement of Goods
ESA will co-fund 50% of the acceptable cost, up to €500K for feasibility study or, €5M for a Demonstration project, per awarded study.
Advanced agricultural monitoring and management solutions
Agricultural monitoring and management are essential for sustainable farming practices and regulatory compliance. Innovative solutions leveraging space technology can enhance crop classification, soil property mapping, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and afforestation monitoring. The growing market for these solutions is driven by increasing food demand, precision farming techniques, and technologies like AI, IoT, and big data, which enable real-time monitoring and optimised resource allocation
The Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative focuses on leveraging space technology to enhance various aspects of agricultural management. Key topics include:
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Crop Classification
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Soil Property Mapping
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Greenhouse Gas Emission Mapping
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Peatland Delineation
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Afforestation Monitoring
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Bare Soil and Plant Cover Ratio
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Catch Crop Monitoring
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Grazing Activity Detection
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Management of Buffer Zones Surrounding Water Bodies
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Risk Assessment
ESA will co-fund 50% of the acceptable cost, up to €500K for feasibility study or, €5M for a Demonstration project, per awarded study.
Coastal resilience to climate change
Please sign up for the webinar online to find out more about this upcoming call.
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in the Coastal Resilience to Climate Change initiative. This opportunity aims to support the development of innovative services that leverage space technology to address the challenges posed by climate change to coastal cities, rural coastal regions, and ports.
Topics of relevance
Here are some examples of potential services that could be developed under this initiative:
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Monitoring and Early Warning Systems
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Monitoring Coastal Erosion and Sea-Level Rise
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Water and Ecosystem Management
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Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
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Urban and Infrastructure Planning
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Adapting Coastal Agriculture
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Disaster Response and Recovery
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Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)
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Port Solutions
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Tourism
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Insurance
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Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD
ESA will co-fund 50% of the acceptable cost, up to €500K for feasibility study or, €5M for a Demonstration project, per awarded study.
Contact Information
For further enquiries, feel free to email me at [email protected] and reach out with any questions.
For funding visit ESA Business Funding. If you’re interested in the ESA BASS open call, please see Direct Negotiation.
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Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer
Deadline: Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
The aim of the competition is to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum sensors (QS) and quantum position, navigation, and timing (QPNT) products and services. These will prime the National Quantum Strategy Missions 3, 4, and 5. Examples include sensing-enabled solutions for healthcare, navigation systems and clocks, and sensors for critical national infrastructure in the transport, telecoms, energy, and defence sectors.
Read more here.
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International Bilateral Fund – Call 2
Deadline: Monday, 7th July 2025
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for projects through the second iteration of the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) that will help strengthen the UK space sector’s international partnerships.
Read more here.
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Unlocking Space for Business: Call 2
Deadline: Monday, 7th July 2025
The UK Space Agency invites proposals from end-user business-led consortiums, with a space supplier and any relevant integrator organisations, for innovative pilot projects to commercialise space solutions within the Financial Services or Transport & Logistics sectors in the UK.
Read more here.
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National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) Call 2
Deadline: Wednesday, 23rd July 2025
The UK Space Agency invites proposals for UK-based research and development projects that will deliver innovative space technologies, applications and services through the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). NSIP provides co-funded grant support to de-risk high-reward projects with a clear target market.
Read more here.
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ESA ITTs
The latest list of open and intended ESA and Non-ESA ITTs is now available and published on ESA STAR. This includes all contracts currently open for bids, as well as those in the intended phase prior to publication. All opportunities listed are accessible to UK companies, though some caveats may apply.
Read more here.
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Orbit South Central - July 2025
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On Wednesday 23rd July 2025, Space South Central is delighted to host our monthly networking event, Orbit South Central.
Created with the aim of connecting key players in the UK space industry and providing an opportunity to discover the region’s space-related activities, whilst discussing the sector on both a local and national level. Our monthly networking events are an occasion in which we can meet to share our knowledge and skills. A chance to hear the latest news, and funding opportunities whilst listening to experts across the sector share their thoughts and ideas.
Speakers for this month include:
- Toby Moore from Hello Possible
- Stephen Woodhouse from Innovate UK
- Richard Jacklin from Plextek
Grab your tickets here.
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CySpace CCN UK Cyber and Space Domain Awareness Capability Mapping Workshops
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UK Space Conference - 2025
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In July innovators and experts from a surprising range of sectors are convening because they understand the role that space plays in the next wave of human technological innovation. Join the UK Space Agency to understand why working and investing in the UK Space Sector is critical for the next decade of renewal and economic growth. We can all be part in the UK Space Mission, in Manchester on July 16th and 17th 2025!
Find out more here.
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Satellite Ground Segment Conference (SSGS)
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The Satellite industry’s only exclusively Ground Segment-focused conference and exhibition returns to London in October (8th and 9th). Organisers Satellite Evolution Group and TalkSatellite are inviting companies and organisations from Space South Central to get involved.
The inaugural Strategies in Satellite Ground Segment conference (SSGS), was held in London last September and was a resounding success, drawing industry leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders from across the satellite communications sector. The conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions in satellite ground segment technologies. Companies and organisations involved included the Ministry of Defence, Airbus, the European Defence Agency, the European Space Agency, UK Space Agency the GSMA and many more.
SSGS is happy to hear and invite either individual Space South Central members or groups of companies wanting to become involved. Speaking submissions or panel suggestions are welcome and in addition to cost-effective exhibition stand prices, there are a range of sponsorship offerings.
Visit https://www.ssgsconference.com for more information.
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The SpaceCraft initiative at Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey makes it easier for organisations to create space-flight equipment and conduct space experiments, plus it enables students and companies to develop practical engineering skills.
Businesses can use Surrey's facilities to make and/or test space-related prototypes, with dedicated space engineers available to advise on early design, development, material choices and prototyping of innovative new space projects.
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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.
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As part of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s national network of 14 Space Enterprise Labs across the UK, this facility in Guildford provides a critical platform for businesses and researchers to accelerate space innovation.
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.
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