The UK has a world-leading position in space science and Earth observation, with deep involvement in major international missions including, for example in the space science area the Gaia, Solar Orbiter, Euclid and forthcoming PLATO and ARIEL missions. This strength rests on decades of investment in instrumentation, data analysis expertise, and international partnerships.
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The UK has a deep space heritage in academia and industry – and there is recognition throughout recent government strategies of the importance of the UK’s university base in underpinning our space sector, and the requirement to foster deeper relationships between industry and academia.
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Whitepaper on UK Space Policy and funding from an academic point of view - on funding gap implications, membership of ESA, need for a strong national and bilateral programmes along with comments on links to industry and some general points
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A summary of key points raised on behalf of academia. These points were also shared with Civil Servants attending and working on Space policy after the meeting.
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The Space Academic Network (SPAN) (206 members from 57 universities representing an academic view on space policy and funding) welcomes the Government plans for an Industrial Strategy (IS).
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This document expands the original concept of science targeted missions to all uses in Space. This document is a development of a SPAN White Paper put together in 2019 on so-called Sci-Sats.
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This paper outlines areas for further funding in academic institutions in the areas of Space Technology and Training under the auspices of the National Space Programme.
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This paper outlines a proposed strategy to address a critical lack of funding for UK university research in space science, engineering and technology.
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This paper describes the case for a Nano-Launcher programme of research and development and the case for student competitions in this area.
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To establish a National programme for the development of new World-leading science using small satellite technology and missions to accelerate and demonstrate UK leadership.
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A study into the nature and benefits of the UK's space science activity.
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SPAN hosted a workshop on potential dual use on December 5, 2022, at Leeds University. The workshop report is only available by sending a request to SPAN, specifying why you would like to view it.
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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:
10 August 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
24 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.
