Specifically, two new funding calls have opened: one for science and another for technology demonstrators. This is in preparation for an agreement being reached to fly a team of four British astronauts on a commercially-sponsored mission, potentially to the International Space Station.
“While the commercial funding for projects is dependent on the mission proceeding, the UK Space Agency is giving scientists, innovators, and businesses the opportunity to submit proposals now to maximise the benefits of a mission in the near term,” writes the UK government.
You can read the call for proposals here.
The announcement follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space in October 2023, which outlined the plans to pursue a commercially-sponsored UK astronaut mission, and an initial request for ideas for science and technology.
The science and tech projects could fly to space with a team of British astronauts as part of the Axiom mission.
Note, however, that funding for the “Science and Technology demonstrator calls” is dependent on the proposed mission going ahead.
“We want to keep the UK space sector at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation, so this has been front and centre of our work with Axiom Space since October,” said Annelies Look, UK Space Agency Deputy CEO.
“To deliver the maximum potential benefits to the UK, we are opening funding calls for science experiments and technology demonstrators today, ahead of the potential UK astronaut mission.”
Axiom
In August of last year we reported that Axiom Space, has secured $350m in its Series-C round of funding, to help build the first commercial space station from the legacy of the International Space Station.
Axiom Space – along with Orbital Reef and Starlab – is one of Nasa’s three competing commercial space station partners. They are all working on the design and development of possible new “orbital destinations” to replace the current International Space Station.
The UK Space Agency is working with the European Space Agency for the commercial mission.
See also: Nasa builds towards new space stations