SPAN Town Hall – November 2025 Summary

Thank you to everyone who joined our November SPAN Town Hall. Below is a brief overview of the key updates shared across the community.

Sector & Policy Updates

• SPAN Co-Chairs Mark Sims and Anna Hogg provided an update on sector changes, including UKSA–DSIT integration and preparations for the upcoming ESA Ministerial.
• SPAN continues to advocate for academic priorities across government, UKspace, and the Space Partnership.
• Anna Hogg welcomed by community as SPAN Co-chair

White Papers & Publications

SPAN whitepaper: Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Academia – led by myself and Professor Mark Sims  (University of Leicester / SPAN) is available as a publication on our website.

Thank you to members who have submitted feedback and comments. This is a live paper and will evolve. Please share any comments to info@span.ac.uk

Government Engagement & Opportunities

Ann Fielding from DSIT joined us to speak about the Space Horizon Scanning Network.

The SHSN welcomes academic speakers and participants. To find out more please email: ann.fielding@dsit.gov.uk

Copernicus Impact Study

We were joined by Will Lecky from know.space who are conducting the survey which is seeking evidence from data users and researchers. Find out more here

• Complete the Survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/copernicus-data-survey The deadline to complete the survey is 9 December.
• General queries / to set up an interview: copernicus@know.space

DSIT Space Technology Taxonomy

Miro board is is now open for our community comment, to find our more about how to join the group to submit comments please email as1300@leicester.ac.uk and I will coordinate the next steps as we seek inputs.  Thank you to Joe Pacey for joining our session.

UK Space Frontiers 2035 Update

UKSA Chief Scientist Professor Adam Amara provided an update on the UK Space Frontiers 2035 programme, a strategic exercise focused on STFC/UKSA intersections (Astronomy, Helio, Planetary).

Key information:

• Steering Committee has formed thematic panels (Astro, Helio, Planetary)
• Open call for white papers: six pages max; science-led with mission concept framing closing on 28th Dec!
• High community interest: 154 attendees at the recent UKSA Town Hall.
• Future ambition to expand the model to Earth Observation and Microgravity/Life Sciences.
  White paper submission link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-space-frontiers-2035-astro-planetary-and-helio
• Have questions about the call? Check out the handy FAQs page

Additional Updates

• Ella Brown joined us from Satellite Applications Catapult to highlight the Facilities for Academia Fund which is open until 1 December 2025.
• Space Partnership has commissioned a study on the Impact of Academia on the UK space sector by know.space. The study is underway and is due to be completed next year.

That’s the update of our November SPAN Town Hall, we are planning to hold our next one in January 2026.

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