Welcome

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

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.

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.

Get involved

About SPAN |Links |

Publications |

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 Summer Engagements – 2026

Over the summer Anushka Sharma had the privilege of moderating discussions and speaking on panels across the UK space sector, from security and defence at Farnborough International Airshow, to running a session on SPAN at the National Astronomy Meeting in Birmingham, and most recently joining a panel on DWC Resilience forum hosted at Fieldfisher

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.