We’re pleased to share a personal message to the community from Professor Carole Mundell, ESA’s Director of Science. Along with some key updates from the UK Space Agency’s ESA Policy & Operations (EOP) Team.
Communication to SPAN From European Space Agency Director of Science
We have had a letter from Prof. Carole Mundell, Director of Science – view here.
I am pleased to invite you to respond to the Announcement of Opportunity for Membership of the Science Board of the Martian Moons eXploration mission (MMX).
The Announcement of Opportunity, containing the information needed by the proposers, can be found at: https://cosmos.esa.int/web/mmx-ao-sb-2025
The deadline for submission of proposals is 16 September 2025 at 12:00 (noon) CEST.
Proposals must be submitted electronically to ESA as indicated at: https://cosmos.esa.int/web/mmx-ao-sb-2025
News and Updates:
UK Space Agency ESA Policy & Operations Team
We are pleased to inform you of the ESA Proposal Advice Service (ESA PAS) – a free, 12-month pilot initiative run by the ESA Policy & Operations Team in conjunction with our service provider, KI Bid Consulting. The service is designed to help UK organisations prepare stronger, more competitive bids for European Space Agency (ESA) contracts.
What is ESA PAS?
ESA PAS provides tailored, non-technical feedback on draft ESA bids, supporting improvements in quality, compliance, and strategic fit. Support is available across all ESA contract types, domains, and programmes, with the aim of increasing UK success rates and enhancing geo-return.
Eligibility Criteria:
To access the service, organisations must:
How to Apply:
To access the service, organisations must complete the triage form available here:
👉 ESA PAS Triage Form
Submissions will be reviewed weekly by a triage board, and eligible, successful, organisations will be onboarded promptly.
Further Information:
Please see the attached briefing document for full details. For any other questions please contact: EPO@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
The 2nd Call for the Business In Space Growth Network (BSGN) Advanced Materials and In-Orbit Manufacturing Accelerator is Now Open!
The space sector has long been a catalyst for breakthroughs in material science, enabling innovations that deliver widespread economic and societal value. Today, the emergence of a commercial in-orbit economy — including autonomous research platforms, next-generation space stations, and dedicated microgravity labs — is unlocking entirely new frontiers for materials R&D.
The ESA BSGN Advanced Materials Accelerator offers your business the chance to lead these advances. Selected projects will gain access to technical support, funding opportunities, and a growing ecosystem of commercial and institutional partners at the cutting edge of in-space innovation.
💡Following the success of its first call and the support of its initial cohort of projects, the second call for proposals is now open!
We are delighted to offer your organisation early access to register for the Estonia–UK Bilateral Space Cooperation Event, taking place 9–11 September 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia, before the event is published to the wider UK space ecosystem on 23 July 2025.
Following the resounding success of a similar event with Cyprus in early 2025 – where UK attendees forged valuable partnerships and secured new contract opportunities – this high-level gathering brings together leading voices from the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Cypriot Government, and key players across academia and industry.
Why Attend?
This is a targeted, outcomes-driven event that offers real commercial value, particularly for organisations interested in cross-border growth and sector positioning.
Event Details:
📍 Location: Tallinn, Estonia
📅 Dates: 9–11 September 2025
🎟️ Registration closes: 16:00 on Friday 15 August 2025
🗓️ Register now to secure your place
Spaces are strictly limited, and registration will open to the wider UK space ecosystem on 23 July 2025 so don’t miss your chance to register early and position your organisation at the heart of UK-Estonia-European space cooperation.
We look forward to welcoming you in Estonia and supporting meaningful commercial and academic engagements that deliver lasting value.
If you have any questions about the event please direct them to EPO@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
26 October 2026
SPAN is seeking academics and research representatives to speak with Access Partnership about the potential implications of the EU Space Act for their institutions, research activities and international collaborations. These interviews form part of a study commissioned by the Space Partnership.
14 September 2026
SPAN meetings offer key opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and hear updates on papers in development. Your input is welcome and vital to shaping this work.
08 September 2026
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:
