Welcome

SPAN provides a voice for space-related research in the UK in the fields of Earth Observation, Space Engineering and Space Science.

The network is actively looking to grow and expand to provide a single body to represent the academic community working in research either of or from space. SPAN operates a Board and Working Group structure. The Board meets three times per annum with representatives of the UK Space Agency, Research Councils and UKSpace in attendance. Moreover, it acts proactively to coordinate a balanced response to current imperatives such as government or parliamentary consultations or more general issues. The working groups meet approximately four times per year and welcome new members.

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Latest News |

08 September 2026

New UK Space Strategy

We shared yesterday the news that the Government has published the new UK Space Strategy, alongside its Technical Delivery Annex. Ahead of publication, SPAN was invited to provide a response from our Co-Chairs, Professors Anna Hogg and Mark Sims. Their statement has been included in the Government's announcement:

SPAN Town Hall Summary – June 2026

SPAN Town Hall reinforced SPAN's role as the national voice of the UK space academic community and highlighted the growing recognition across government that academia is central to delivering the UK's ambitions in space through research excellence, innovation and strategic collaboration.

SPAN Space Data White Paper

SPANS’s Space Data White Paper This paper generated to review space data state of the art and areas where policy and investment can underpin the UK ambitions in Space