Between commercial aircraft at 10 km and conventional satellites at 500 km lies a band of near-Earth space, called very low earth orbit (or VLEO), which until now, has not been accessible for commercial space flight.

A series of commemorative red plaques will tell the story of Beagle 2, the pioneering British spacecraft that, against all odds, made it to the surface of Mars.

The organisers of DSEI Germany have announced that, due to unprecedented industry demand, they will be opening a fourth exhibition hall ahead of its debut in March 2027.

One of Europe’s longest-running IPC Certification Centres, Advanced Rework Technology Ltd (A.R.T.), has partnered with Space East, the East of England’s space cluster organisation, to host the Connect, Collaborate, Launch networking event on 2nd July 2026.

The former CEO of the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, is joining the University of Surrey as a Professor in Practice and will support the newly established Surrey Space Institute to develop international partnerships.

Scottish space technology company Aurora Avionics has secured its first customer in the Asia-Pacific region after signing an agreement with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA).

Viasat has collaborated with TTP and Frequentis, under the European Space Agency (ESA) Iris programme, on an Iris Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) flight trial.

The UK’s first successful download of data from space using a deployable laser communications ground station has been achieved by Archangel Lightworks for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

CGI has supported the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for BOREALIS, six months ahead of schedule.

ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries, has announced the appointment of Andy Williams as Scotland Director.

King’s College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step towards a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027, which will support UK national capability and resilience.

Thirteen British businesses have been awarded contracts of up to £4 million to work with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to boost rapid procurement, drive innovation and deliver advanced technology for UK Armed Forces.

Northumbria University is leading a new project to improve the AI systems at the heart of modern collision avoidance in space.

UK scientists and companies are at the heart of the pioneering Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission - launched into orbit today - that will transform our understanding of how Earth is protected from the Sun.

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

Iridium Communications Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world's only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system, with the transaction unifying the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system with the satellite network it was ...

Ten years to the day since Tim Peake’s dramatic return to Earth, Britain’s most renowned astronaut will be returning to the National Space Centre to celebrate not only the milestone but also the continuation of his inspirational legacy.

The Ariel payload has cleared a major test milestone, paving the way for the mission that will uncover the secrets of over 1,000 alien worlds.

The Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Principals’ Board convened in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where senior representatives from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the UK and USA, addressed the rapidly evolving security dynamics of the space domain.

A spike in atmospheric radiation from a major solar flare in November 2025 was picked up by a global network of soil moisture sensors and a new rapid-response research project led by the University of Surrey will now analyse the data, offering fresh insight into how the impact of solar radiation storms varies across the Earth’s surface.

Today SatVu, the British thermal intelligence company, releases first light imagery from HotSat-2, the second satellite in its commercial high resolution thermal imaging constellation.

During his visit to Bermuda, His Majesty King Charles III toured the site which will be the first of the UK’s new global network of optical telescopes designed to protect the satellites that millions of people depend on every day.

Viasat today announced L2 Aviation has joined its Velaris ecosystem via Galaxy 1 Communications, bringing advanced avionics integration and certification expertise to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and uncrewed aviation.

A new guide has been published by Made Smarter to help manufacturers cut through the noise around artificial intelligence (AI) and focus on what actually works on the factory floor.

York Space Systems has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Reading headquartered ALL.SPACE, a provider of advanced satellite communications terminals and multinetwork connectivity solutions.

Online Oceans, a UK company building autonomous surface vessels and fleet software for defence and maritime security, has raised £4 million in funding led by Seraphim Space.

UK-based and European tech companies Excelerate Technology, Eutelsat (operator of the OneWeb satellite constellation) and Livewire Digital — supported by funding from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme within the Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) — ...

Bright Ascension has appointed John Baughn as its new Chief Executive Officer following a period in an interim CEO capacity, during a leadership transition.

Syensqo has signed a new long-term supply agreement with Avio, extending collaboration in support of advanced space launch systems, with Syensqo supplying high-performance composite and adhesive solutions for Vega-C launch systems and low earth orbit (LEO) missions.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency – has announced a new partnership with Finance for Forces to help more veteran-led businesses access the finance they need to grow internationally.

Airbus Defence and Space has been selected as technical partner in the Coffee Canopy Partnership, helping to provide detailed monitoring of coffee plantations with high-res satellite imagery.

Oxford based laser communications company, Archangel Lightworks, has successfully closed over £10 million of investment in a round led by Santander Alternative Investments, with participation from National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), Blackfinch Ventures, Oxford Capital, Lycka Limited and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), ...

London based space technology investment group, Seraphim Space, has announced the establishment of the Global Space Futures Advisory Council, created to address key strategic, commercial and geopolitical opportunities and challenges facing the space sector.

UK based provider of physical layer IP for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), AccelerComm Ltd, today announced the grant of its 56th international patent, marking a significant milestone as the company completes its 10th year of operations.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed the largest 3D map of the Universe.

BAE Systems has introduced its Ascent spacecraft, a new addition to the company’s Elevation spacecraft line that supports superiority and exploration missions across the space domain.

Amazon.com, Inc. and Globalstar, Inc. have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Globalstar, enabling Amazon Leo to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its low Earth orbit satellite network and extend cellular coverage to customers beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

Researchers at Northumbria University have been awarded £4 million to unlock the secrets of Earth's radiation belts and why they behave so unpredictably – information which is crucial for protecting satellites and forecasting space weather.

ALTEN has announced the opening of its newest UK office in Belfast, marking a significant strategic expansion into Northern Ireland.

During the Aircraft Interior Expo (AIX) today, Viasat announced it has entered Boeing’s technical evaluation process to assess and qualify Viasat AERA, the company’s next-gen electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, across all current Boeing commercial airplane programmes.

UK-based Pulsar Fusion, which is developing advanced propulsion technologies for satellite and deep-space markets, has revealed that its Sunbird fusion-powered space tug could reduce in-space propellant requirements for missions comparable to Artemis II by more than 90%, potentially reshaping the economics of deep-space exploration.

Topping out ceremony marks pivotal moment for centre backed by £50 million investment set to transform the region's space economy.

Bright Ascension's flight software has helped support the successful launch of two VIREON Earth observation satellites, developed by AAC Clyde Space.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen have taken off from Kennedy Space Center, bound for the Moon. More than 50 years after Apollo, this first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit marks a historic milestone for NASA’s Artemis programme. The stakes are twofold: to validate the Orion spacecraft's systems and hardware essential ...

Senior diplomats from 20 countries and some of Scotland’s most innovative space companies gathered in Edinburgh to turn international interest into tangible partnerships at 'Space Connects the World: Consular Corps Scottish Space Forum'.

As the world prepares for the launch of Artemis II - the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years - the Orion European Service Module (ESM-2) is fully integrated, fuelled and 'go' for flight.

Three new satellites built in Scotland have launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission, marking a significant step forward for UK leadership in laser communications, spacecraft manufacturing and the operation of satellite constellations.

UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £14.7 million in funding from the UK Space Agency, unlocking new opportunities to develop cutting-edge space technologies and strengthen the UK’s industrial capability.

The National Space Centre has won the Best Venue Hire Initiative category at the national Cultural Enterprises Awards.

UK based space propulsion company developing advanced propulsion technologies for satellite and deep-space markets, Pulsar Fusion, today announced it has achieved 'first plasma' in its Sunbird nuclear fusion exhaust test system.

New staff joining the Surrey Space Institute team have brought substantial space expertise to help deliver industry partnerships, space missions and positive impact.

Fiona Walters has taken up her role as CEO of the UK & Europe division of Serco, having joined Serco in September 2025 from G4S, where she was Regional CEO for the UK & Ireland, leading a team of more than 30,000 people.

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, specialists in delivering secure, reliable and resilient beyond line-of-sight communications for operations in denied and contested environments, has formally launched the production version of GENSS at the Satellite Show.

Scotland's space technology sector has received another boost as avionics developer, Aurora Avionics, expands into a state-of-the-art facility in Edinburgh.

British Airways’ first aircraft equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi took off to Houston last Thursday, the first flight operated by a UK airline featuring the innovative technology.

A landmark agreement between the UK Space Agency and State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) will open a new chapter in civil and commercial space cooperation between the two countries.

The Met Office have officially launched the Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service (MAVIS) - a next-generation aviation weather platform designed to support a rapidly evolving aviation landscape, from traditional crewed aircraft to emerging spaceport operations.

Viasat today announced that its advanced in-flight connectivity has been selected by charter operator National Airlines to enhance the passenger experience onboard a new fleet of three Airbus A330 aircraft.

Manufacturer of connector systems, ODU, has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest sustainability and corporate responsibility initiative.

AI is set to transform how South Africa’s astronomical observatories operate, as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre is working with the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), a centre for optical and infrared astronomy, to deliver the ‘Intelligent Observatory’ programme.

Researchers at Cranfield University have created WANDER-bot, a low-cost, 3D-printed robot that is powered by wind energy.

Orbit Fab are working with Airbus Defence and Space to assess the feasibility of incorporating Orbit Fab’s RAFTI refuelling valve into possible future Airbus geostationary satellites, as part of a project within the European Space Agency’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems, named RADICAL, funded by the UK Space ...

BAE Systems has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

As the Vera C. Rubin Observatory issues live alerts of changes in the night sky, a UK innovation allows us to observe millions of unfolding astronomical events.

Dr Noelia Noël, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Surrey, has been awarded this year’s Leadership Fellowship in Public Engagement from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The UK has established its first sovereign manufacturing capability for ultrahigh temperature materials - vital for space, hypersonic and propulsion systems.

ALL.SPACE today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access for government and defence missions.

IFS today announced the completion of its acquisition of Softeon, providing enterprises across manufacturing, logistics and retail, with access to a new category of supply chain technology.

South Yorkshire-based Metalysis has been awarded nearly €1 million, under a programme of and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), to develop a continuous or quasi-continuous sustainable process for titanium production using the patented Metalysis FFC Process.

A sensor has been launched into orbit, marking a significant step towards more accurate and timely weather prediction that could have worldwide benefits.

The Server Labs has been selected by the SKA Observatory (SKAO) to deliver an Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosted high-performance computing cluster for software development and testing.

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) today announced its role as a key industrial collaborator in the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System’s Lazuli, a pioneering initiative that will deliver one of the most ambitious privately funded space telescopes ever conceived.

Six UK space tech startups have joined the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre UK (ESA BIC UK) to develop technologies that deliver practical benefits in space and on Earth, applying space technology to some of today’s most urgent challenges, from clearing space junk to detecting wildfires in seconds.

The UK’s first National Microgravity Research Centre has been completed at Swansea University, marking the successful delivery of a £13 million project part-funded by the UK Space Agency.

The UK Space Agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are working collaboratively to provide a supportive regulatory environment to space, biopharma and pharmaceutical ...

British companies developing satellite communications technology are to receive £30 million in government funding, Space Minister Liz Lloyd announced yesterday, as the UK looks to secure a larger share of a global market worth £40 billion.

British robotics autonomy company, Mutable Tactics, has closed a pre seed funding round of $2.1 million led by Seraphim Space, with support from the UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund, Koro, Entrepreneurs First and Transpose.

Galaxy 1 Communications is working with Viasat to enhance delivery of Velaris, Viasat’s dedicated satellite communications service for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.

GMV has been awarded a contract by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to develop advanced algorithmic capabilities for space launch monitoring, supporting the analytical requirements of the UK National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC).

Bright Ascension has announced the launch of HELIX Edge, a mission-ready payload software package designed to dramatically reduce the time, effort and risk involved in developing spacecraft payload software.

This week Finland brought together senior UK defence and aerospace stakeholders at the Finnish Ambassador’s Residence in London for a high-level strategic dialogue focused on Earth Observation (EO), Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and resilient space-enabled situational awareness.

The UK Space Agency has announced that Rebecca Evernden has been appointed as Director of the new UK Space Agency.

Space-Comm Expo Europe has confirmed the final list of speakers, including Tim Peake and Sir Richard Branson joining global leaders from government and business at the Europe’s biggest ever commercial space industry event at ExCeL London, 4th-5th March.

The University of Portsmouth, as part of Space South Central (SSC) - one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters - is leading a new international partnership with Saudi space-tech company SARsatX, to develop the concept for an Earth observation satellite mission, aimed at supporting a range of sectors, including climate science and ...

A landmark joint European-Chinese space mission, with significant UK involvement, has departed Europe for its launch site in French Guiana ahead of a planned April launch.

The largest space event in the UK, Space-Comm Expo Europe, has revealed the confirmed line-up of speakers featured at this year's event, taking place in just two weeks’ time at ExCeL London, 4th-5th March.

UK space rocket manufacturer Orbex has released new, previously unseen, photographs of its microlauncher, Prime.

East Grinstead based Rhopoint Components, a specialist design-led distributor of precision electronic components, sensors, connectors and modular systems, together with their strategic partner ISOCOM, will be showcasing a range of solutions at Space-Comm Expo Europe, being held at the ExCeL, London, on 4th – 5th March 2026.

The UK Space Agency is launching Skills for Space, a new internship programme offering 50 paid placements across the UK space sector to give young people hands-on experience and industry exposure.

The UK home-grown orbital launch services company and space rocket manufacturer, Orbex, is in the process of appointing administrators after fundraising, merger and acquisition opportunities all concluded unsuccessfully.

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the UK Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.

The UK Space Agency has awarded contracts to three UK companies to investigate producing advanced materials in Low Earth Orbit, where the conditions – including microgravity, natural vacuum and extreme temperatures – can create products that are difficult, expensive, or impossible to manufacture on Earth.

To coincide with the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9th – 15th February), one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, BAE Systems, has analysed Censuswide’s survey of the latest attitudes of young people and parents.

A new laboratory that will help UK companies develop and test the engines powering the next generation of satellites has opened at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

Spirent Communications has partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead an initiative aimed at increasing the resilience of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems used in Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).

The Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association (ITSA) has revealed its members reported sales in 2025 were up by 5% over 2024 but that orders and business to business sales, were flat.

In four weeks time, London will serve as the host city for the largest and most influential space industry event ever held in the UK, with global policymakers and business leaders gathering at Space-Comm Expo Europe, taking place 4th-5th March at ExCeL London.

Kingston-Upon-Thames based European Engineering Consultancy Ltd (EECL) has been awarded a £1.5 million contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to deliver ground support equipment and environmental and space-qualification testing for a next-generation digital satellite payload.

Returning to STEM industries after a career break is now harder than ever, according to new research by STEM Returners, with bias against gender, age, ethnicity and a lack of recent experience penalising highly qualified people from getting a job.

Joint investments will advance quantum technology, boost digital connectivity and strengthen network resilience against cyber threats.

GMV are to lead the development of a secure Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer system under the TOUCAN project - funded by the UK Space Agency through the European Space Agency's Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (ESA NAVISP) - which is an important part of the UK Government's Framework for Greater PNT Resilience.

Dr Paul Bate will be stepping down as Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency at the end of March 2026.