• Space debris is a major threat to the satellite services we rely on
• 13 projects involve industry and academia across the UK

SWINDON, UK (UK Space Agency PR) — The UK Space Agency is providing £1.7 million [US $2.3 million] for new projects to support sustainable space operations, Science Minister George Freeman announced today.

The 13 new projects will help track and remove dangerous debris in space. They include an AI-based tool which can take autonomous action to avoid a collision and another which will see multiple small spacecraft fired at debris before taking it into the atmosphere to dispose of it.

ABINGDON, UK (Reaction Engines PR) — Reaction Engines is delighted to announce the launch of a conceptual study to develop a flying Hypersonic Test Bed (HTB) concept for the in-flight demonstration of SABRE technology. 

The study was initiated through the UK Space Agency and will be conducted under the European Space Agency General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).  It involves a consortium consisting of Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (including Cranfield University), Reaction Engines, BAE Systems and Frost & Sullivan.

Fluid flow highlighted with dye. (Credit: Magna Parva)

LEICESTER, England (Magna Parva PR) — Our Acoustic Fuel Manipulation (AFM) technology development has culminated in the achievement of controlled movement and positioning of fluids using acoustic waves. This technology could be applied to fuel on board Spacecraft to save significant mass by reducing waste fuel and ancillary fuel tank elements such as baffles.

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UKSA PR — Twenty-two innovative British companies are to share £2.5 million ($3.97 million) of government support for the design and development cutting-edge space products and technologies.

As part of the UK Space Agency’s National Space Technology Programme (NSTP), twenty-nine projects are receiving grant funding to develop commercial products and services using space technology or space-derived data. These ‘fast-track projects’ applied as part of the ‘Space for Growth’ competition, and each will last between 6 and 9 months. The projects will carry out research and development in: Satellite Telecommunications; Sensing; Position, Navigation & Timing; Robotics & Exploration and Access to Space.

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