The UK Space Agency announced 20 February that it could make up to £15 million in funding available for science and technology payloads should the country proceed with a proposed Axiom mission.
In October 2023, the United Kingdom signed an agreement with the Houston-based private astronaut transportation company Axiom Space. The agreement set out plans for the two organizations to work towards a commercially sponsored mission that would be crewed entirely by British astronauts.
If a firm contract follows this exploratory agreement in the future, the result would be a two-week mission to orbit where the crew of four would conduct scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and participate in outreach and education activities. The destination for the mission is not yet confirmed, with UKSA stating that it may “potentially” be the International Space Station.
The 20 February announcement included two separate calls, one for science experiments and another for technology demonstrators. While the commercial funding for projects will be dependent on the mission proceeding, this initial call is seen as an opportunity “to maximize the benefits of a mission in the near term.”
“The £15m funding calls mark a significant stride in our collaborative mission with Axiom Space, and I urge the UK science and technology community to use this opportunity to drive forward discovery and unleash innovation in critical technologies,” said Minster for Space Andrew Griffith.
While the science call is fairly broad, the call for proposals for technology demonstrators is particularly interested in technologies that support the country’s National Space Capability Goals, the UK Science and Technology Framework, and its five critical domains: AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, and quantum technologies. Proposals may also examine elements of the UKSA’s Space Exploration Technology Roadmap, which includes advanced manufacturing, in-situ resource utilization, crew performance, and life support.
