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Dear Reader,
It’s been an action-packed month here at Space South Central!
First up, some fantastic news straight from the heart of our cluster: we’ve just secured fresh UK Space Agency funding! This new backing will supercharge our mission to drive innovation, boost regional skills, and foster collaboration across international borders.
Meanwhile, our student trailblazers were on a stratospheric adventure in Oman. Representing three of Space South Central’s partner universities, this talented team designed, built, and tested cutting-edge equipment for a suborbital launch. Their jewel in the crown? Jovian-O - a compact cubesat no bigger than a shoebox, carrying DAVE, a high-tech earth observation instrument.
Not to be outshone, researchers from UCL, Aberystwyth University, and Surrey Space Centre took centre stage at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting 2025. There, they unveiled the Moon-Enabled Sun Occultation Mission (MESOM).
And in the ever-mysterious realm of spacetime, scientists from the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton, and University College Dublin have broken new ground. Their innovative method promises to sharpen our analysis of gravitational waves - the very ripples in space and time unleashed when cosmic giants like black holes collide!
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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Space South Central awarded new UK Space Agency funding to drive regional growth, skills and international collaboration
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Space South Central has received £160,000 from the UK Space Agency as part of a £1.6 million investment programme distributed equally among ten UK space clusters.
The funding was announced at the UK Space Conference 2025 in Manchester, where the cluster is showcasing its impactful work.
This support will allow Space South Central to continue its operations until March 2026, with a focus on developing the regional space economy, maintaining international partnerships, and supporting skills development within the sector.
Space South Central is arguably the UK's largest regional space cluster and is home to over 200 renowned space industry organisations across Hampshire, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight. It has generated billions in space-related income, provides employment for 14,000 people, and contributes significantly to the local and national economy.
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UK students contribute to international space mission
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A team of students from the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton are working to fit equipment they designed, made and tested to a suborbital launch vehicle which aims to launch 500km into space.
Six students travelled to the Etlaq Spaceport in the region of Duqm in Oman, from where their Jovian-O payload is scheduled to launch on the KEA-1 Stellar Kinetics’ launch vehicle, part of the Duqm-2 mission.
Jovian-O is a 6U CubeSat – a type of small satellite, roughly the size of a shoebox – consisting of a prototype deploy pod designed by students at the University of Surrey and built on campus. The payload also contains DAVE (Dual Aperture for Viewing Earth), the Earth observation instrument delivered by students from the three universities. DAVE incorporates two small cameras, one of which aims to take images and videos of the Earth, and one which will attempt to use a space-facing camera to look for space debris.
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University of Surrey launches Space Institute to drive the UK's small satellite boom and tackle urgent global challenges
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With the UK's £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent – yet more than half of space organisations report critical shortages, a challenge now being tackled by the newly launched Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey.
The Institute will convert the University's 45-year small satellite leadership into mission-ready solutions for climate, resilience and secure global connectivity.
The Institute will build on the legacy of the Surrey Space Centre, where Professor Sir Martin Sweeting pioneered the design and manufacturing of small satellites. Sir Martin would go on to found the highly influential Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), a university spin-out that helped reshape how satellites are built across the global space sector and has since earned £1billion in satellite exports for the UK.
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Artificial solar eclipses in space could shed light on Sun
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Recreating artificial solar eclipses in space could help astronomers decipher the inner workings of our Sun much quicker than if they had to wait for the celestial show on Earth. The plan, part of a UK-led space mission unveiled at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting 2025 in Durham, would involve the use of a mini-satellite and the Moon’s shadow to achieve the closest-ever views of the Sun’s atmosphere.
The Moon-Enabled Sun Occultation Mission (MESOM) proposes a novel way to study the inner solar corona – the innermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, which is usually only visible during fleeting total solar eclipses on Earth.
It was presented by researchers from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London (UCL), Aberystwyth University, and the Surrey Space Centre.
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New breakthrough could sharpen our view of colliding black holes
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A new method to analyse gravitational-wave data could transform how we study some of the Universe’s most extreme events - black holes smashing into each other.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and University College Dublin have created a method to more accurately analyse gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime generated when massive objects like black holes collide.
The approach, published in Nature Astronomy, doesn’t offer new discoveries about black holes yet. But by improving how scientists compare gravitational wave data to existing models, it lays important groundwork for future breakthroughs.
Ever since the Nobel-prize winning detection of gravitational waves in 2015, the study of these ripples has revolutionised our understanding of the Universe, driven largely by the detection of colliding black holes which are almost impossible to observe with standard optical telescopes.
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Could a paint stop 'motorway of satellites' in sky?
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Scientists are testing a black paint they hope will stop the night sky turning in to a "motorway of satellites".
Noelia Noel, an astrophysicist at the University of Surrey, is working with a team carrying out tests on Vantablack 310, a black paint developed by Surrey NanoSystems which can be applied to satellites.
She said light reflecting from the devices was obstructing astronomical ground-based telescopes and "ruining" images for research, including at the Vera C Rubin observatory in Chile.
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Join the World Space Week Schools’ Space Expo - Portsmouth
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Unlock the Potential of the Next Generation: Join Us at Portsmouth Guildhall for World Space Week!
This full day event at Portsmouth Guildhall offers space sector businesses and organisations a golden opportunity to engage directly with local schools and young people as part of the University of Portsmouth’s World Space Week programme.
Up to 1000 school children, from primary up to sixth form ages, are expected to attend, with exhibition stands, talks and interactive workshops throughout the day. The event is aimed at informing local, young people about the inspiring opportunities in space organisations in our region and beyond.
If you or your organisation would like to take part in this event then we would love to hear from you. Send us an expression of interest email to the Outreach and Public Engagement (OPE) Team at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation [email protected].
If you can, let us know whether you would offer a specific type of activity, such as a presentation, an exhibit stand or an interactive workshop. If you’d like to be involved but need advice or support, our experienced OPE Team members are available to help you with developing an activity. Members of the team have trained many STEM Ambassadors from space sector organisations in the region and have a wealth of experience to share with anyone new to outreach work.
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Airbus Apprenticeship Survey
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Do you run apprenticeship schemes - or want to start one? Airbus wants to hear from you!
Airbus Defence and Space is exploring how to support and grow apprenticeship opportunities across the sector, and is asking organisations to complete a short survey to help us understand:
- If you currently offer apprenticeships
- Whether you have urgent recruitment needs, that can be filled through apprenticeships
- What challenges or barriers you face in setting up new apprenticeship schemes
- How Airbus might support you in developing new apprenticeship opportunities
Help shape the future of apprenticeships in our industry - complete the survey below:
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UK launches tender for mission to clean up space and safeguard vital services
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The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation’s first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit. This marks a pivotal step in the UK’s efforts to protect vital space infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety of the orbital environment.
At the heart of the proposed Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, a specially designed spacecraft, equipped with cutting-edge British robotic and autonomous navigation technology, will capture and safely de-orbit two non-functioning UK-licensed satellites from low Earth orbit.
The spacecraft will guide the defunct satellites into Earth’s atmosphere, where they will burn up—eliminating potential threats to the satellite networks that power essential services such as GPS, weather forecasting, and emergency communications.
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OhmSpace announce partnership with HEX20
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OhmSpace are thrilled to announce their partnership with HEX20 to launch the first In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of STAR-Water-nano, their pioneering water-based electric propulsion system for small satellites.
This mission is more than a milestone. It’s a bold step from ground-based innovation to space-proven technology. Designed for CubeSats and nanosatellites, STAR-Water-nano uses water as a propellant, offering a safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient solution for in-space mobility.
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Developing sovereign resilience in defence and security: a space-based perspective
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Discover how space-based technologies are transforming national defence and security in Earth-i’s latest blog, “Developing Sovereign Resilience in Defence and Security: A Space-Based Perspective.” If you’re curious about ways that Earth Observation and geospatial insights empower governments and industries to strengthen their strategic autonomy and resilience, this insightful article is a must-read. Stay ahead of the curve in understanding how space capabilities underpin security in an increasingly complex world.
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Craft Prospect and SSTL sign new Teaming Agreement
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Craft Prospect Ltd and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) have signed a new Teaming Agreement, formalising and expanding the close working relationship developed between our two companies over years of collaborating and working adjacently to one another within the space industry. Craft Prospect’s experience delivering secure enabling products and applications for space missions is complemented by SSTL’s expertise in manufacturing space and ground infrastructure for operational satellite systems, as well as related services including comprehensive training in support of commercial and government end-users.
The agreement comes after a period of particularly successful collaboration between the two companies under the ESA-funded InCubed project, Flexible and Intelligent Payload Data Chain (FIPC), which brought Craft Prospect’s machine learning (ML) expertise and AI-powered Astral Intelligence Toolbox (AITB) together with an onboard software-defined data processing architecture and adaptive downlink chain developed by SSTL.
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NKT Photonics Fiber Lasers enable groundbreaking Deep-Space Communication
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On July 7, ESA, the European Space Agency, successfully established Europe’s first deep-space optical communication link with NASA’s Psyche mission using a high-power fiber laser system from NKT Photonics. This groundbreaking achievement, conducted with NASA/JPL’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) demonstrator, marks a significant leap forward in high-data-rate communication across vast interplanetary distances.
This achievement was the result of collaboration between ESA, NASA/JPL, and a consortium of leading European companies including NKT Photonics. The major technical challenges that were addressed were to create a laser with enough power to be detected at extremely large distances, a pointing system with enough precision to aim accurately at the spacecraft, and an equally precise receiver system sensitive enough to detect the extremely faint return signals.
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Satellite tracker Spaceflux reaches lift-off with £5m funding boost
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A British space surveillance company which has won a string of government contracts will this week announce a £5.4m fundraising to expand its global network of advanced telescopes.
Sky News understands that Spaceflux, which was founded three years ago, has secured the injection of capital in a round led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), which is managed by Future Planet Capital, as well as Foresight Group and Blackfinch Ventures.
Seraphim Space, the listed specialist investor in space-related companies, is also contributing funding.
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After a whirlwind of travel last month, July has felt a little more... serene. While things tend to slow down over the summer, applications are still coming in steadily—and we’re always here if you have any questions about your ESA BASS application (no out-of-office replies from us just yet!).
Just yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending another round of brilliant talks at Space South Central’s Orbit event, held at the University of Portsmouth's Future Technology Centre. As always, it was a fantastic chance to connect with the ever-inspiring space innovation community—and yes, Portsmouth once again set the gold standard for event catering. (Seriously, we might need to nominate their buffet for a space mission.)
At the tail end of last month, I co-hosted an ESA BASS event at the Cambridge Belfry, alongside our wonderful partners at Space East. We had a strong turnout and plenty of fruitful conversations (some even bordering on genius!). A big thank-you to Dr. Kavitha Muthu, who presented on the Smart Cities Task Force and ESA’s priority areas—definitely a highlight. We also heard from Abbasi Ghandi of TWI, who shared how the ESA Technology Broker Programme is helping organisations tap into ESA support for innovation.
That’s it from me for now. As always, if you have questions, ideas, or just want to talk tech over coffee, I’m only an email away.
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 the 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.
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
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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.
Coming Soon!
Space for Underwater Radiated Noise Management
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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ARTES Call – General Summer 2025
Deadline: Thursday, 31st July 2025
The UK Space Agency is inviting proposals from applicants looking to develop technologies, products and services in satellite telecommunications. These can cover the development of components, systems or services and any aspect or combination of the space, ground or network segments.
Read more here.
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Hubble Space Telescope Call for Proposals
Deadline: Thursday, 14th August 2025
The Hubble Telescope invites scientists to participate in Cycle 33 of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The telescope and its instruments were built under the auspices of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Management of HST’s scientific programme is carried out by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).
Read more here.
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Advanced agricultural monitoring and management solutions
Deadline: Wednesday, 20th August 2025
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites companies to participate in the Advanced Agricultural Monitoring and Management Solutions initiative. This opportunity aims to support the development of innovative services that leverage space technology to enhance agricultural monitoring and management. The Call for Proposals welcomes submissions for feasibility studies and demonstration projects. Please refer to the ‘Authorisation of Funding’ section below to determine your team's eligibility for funding.
Read more here.
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Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Deadline: Sunday, 24th August 2025
The European Commission has pre-published all of the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programmes, which list the funding opportunities under the 2025 call topics.
No matter your field – whether you’re a business, university, research institute, charity, or not-for-profit – you could be eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funding to advance your cutting-edge research and innovation, fostering lasting impact and meaningful change.
Their Innovate UK European Team and UK National Contact Points can support you with these exciting potential funding opportunities and help you get the most out of Horizon Europe.
Read more here.
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Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship
Deadline: Thursday, 4th September 2025
The objectives of the Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships are to:
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enable UK universities and research institutions to strategically recruit and attract outstanding research leaders to the UK from overseas by offering long-term support and flexible funding to conduct high-quality research;
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and strengthen research and help build a critical mass of excellence in the UK’s best university departments and research institutions in fields considered to be strategically important by the institution.
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 - September 2025
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On September 10th 2025, Space South Central will be hosting our monthly networking event, Orbit South Central at Surrey Space Centre.
The event was 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. It’s also a chance to hear the latest news, and funding opportunities whilst listening to experts across the sector share their thoughts and ideas.
Speakers include:
Grab your tickets here.
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CySpace CCN UK Cyber and Space Domain Awareness Capability Mapping Workshops
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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 Connections UK mission is 'to advance and preserve the art, science and application of wargaming' and this year's Conference will introduce a diverse range of themes including innovation & best practice, resilience, historical wargaming, research, military education and much more - details here.
Grab your tickets here.
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DSTL Searchlight SME Showcase
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The Searchlight SME Showcase will take place at Porton Science Park, Porton Down, Wiltshire on Wed 24th September, 1000 – 1500hrs. The event provides an excellent opportunity to explore innovative solutions and network with a diverse range of suppliers, from S&T industries and non-traditional Defence providers to Government partners. The event is designed to promote technology transfer, drive collaboration, and introduce new suppliers who can contribute to science and technology. The event is sponsored by Dstl and supported by Porton Science Park & UK Health Security Agency. Registration: You must register to attend by 23rd September.
Register your interest here.
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Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environment Symposium 2025
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The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) hosts its sixth Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environment (OFEME) symposium from 18th to 20th November 2025 in Newport, Wales. The event, supported by the Electromagnetic Environment (EME) Hub, is designed as an in-person event, but there will be options to join virtually if you are unable to join us in Wales.
Pre-register for this event: You must pre-register your interest online if you would like to attend this symposium, by Friday 3rd October 2025. You will then receive a link to complete the symposium delegate registration process.
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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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