Axiom Space and UK Space Agency seek innovative projects for upcoming mission

Axiom Space and UK Space Agency seek innovative projects for upcoming mission
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Feb 21, 2024

The UK Space Agency has announced the opening of two new funding calls, targeting science experiments and technology demonstrators, as part of the groundwork for a possible collaboration with Axiom Space. This initiative could see a team of four British astronauts embarking on a commercially-sponsored mission, potentially to the International Space Station (ISS).

This announcement is a significant step following the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Axiom Space in October 2023, paving the way for a UK astronaut mission underpinned by commercial sponsorship. The initiative underscores the UK's ambition to remain at the cutting edge of space exploration and technology development.

Andrew Griffith MP, the Minister for Space, emphasized the importance of this opportunity for UK businesses and the science community. He stated, "There is huge potential for UK businesses to play an increasingly important role in space exploration and the development of new technologies." He further encouraged the UK science and technology community to leverage this chance to advance discovery and innovation in critical technologies, highlighting the Pounds 15 million earmarked for these funding calls.

Annelies Look, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, echoed this sentiment, underlining the agency's commitment to keeping the UK's space sector at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. The early opening of these funding calls, ahead of the confirmed mission, aims to maximize the potential benefits for the UK.

Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist for Microgravity Research at Axiom Space, expressed enthusiasm for supporting impactful projects that align with human space exploration goals and offer terrestrial benefits. Axiom's missions have facilitated global research in microgravity, contributing to national priorities in research and technology development.

The science funding call seeks UK-based research leveraging microgravity and the space environment, encouraging proposals that align with the National Space Strategy and other strategic frameworks. The technology demonstrator call aims to test innovative technologies in space, focusing on areas critical to the UK's exploration goals, such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, and Advanced Manufacturing.

UK astronaut Tim Peake highlighted the importance of commercial human spaceflight, referencing the Ax-3 mission as a benchmark for scientific achievement in space. He lauded the UK Space Agency's efforts to capitalize on this new era of space exploration.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, emphasized the UK space sector's global leadership and the importance of continued investment in developing cutting-edge capabilities. He encouraged engagement from companies across the space value chain, noting the UK's longstanding reputation for technological innovation.