• The UK has a growing role in Europe’s spacecraft ecosystem, contributing to over 1,000 launched spacecraft through 28 core entities across ownership, integration, and manufacturing.

• While commercial activity dominates by volume, civil and military missions speak to a more balanced and diverse national capability, especially when excluding megaconstellation programs.

• Companies such as SSTL, Airbus UK, and Alba Orbital illustrate the UK’s strengths in smallsat innovation, vertically integrated mission delivery, and emerging interplanetary infrastructure.

• Download the full UK Spacecraft Market Map for detailed data on sector distribution, program timelines, and the organizations contributing to the UK.

As the global space economy moves towards distributed infrastructure, national resilience, and commercial constellations, the United Kingdom has gained strategic prominence within Europe’s spacecraft landscape. While not yet a manufacturing powerhouse on the scale of the United States, the UK has steadily expanded its role in spacecraft development, particularly in smallsat production, mission integration, and dual-use capabilities spanning the commercial, civil, and defense sectors. Building on its historic strength in satellite services and downstream applications, the UK is now advancing toward a more integrated position in the broader space value chain.

Space Insider’s UK Spacecraft Market Map identifies 28 primary entities responsible for Spacecraft Ownership, Operations, System Integration, and Bus Manufacturing. Collectively, these organizations have contributed to the launch of over 1,000 spacecraft since 2010, speaking to a well-developed and growing industrial footprint.

For this market map, we include only primary contractors—UK-based entities (or UK subsidiaries) that take on end-to-end responsibility for spacecraft ownership, operations, system integration, or bus manufacturing. The scope is limited to missions launched between 2010 and June 25, 2025. We exclude subcontractors, payload and component manufacturers, launch providers, and any companies whose spacecraft have not yet launched, including planned or upcoming missions.

A Spacecraft Ecosystem in Motion

Space Insider tracks more than 1,000 organizations across the UK space ecosystem, spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. Within this larger network, our focused analysis surfaced 28 central entities involved directly in delivering complete spacecraft missions. These include commercial giants, government collaborators, and integrated smallsat developers whose contributions collectively define the backbone of the UK’s orbital output.

These companies have driven the launch of 1,018 spacecraft between 2010 and mid-2025, speaking to the UK’s capability to both support international missions and lead them. From high-throughput broadband satellites to agile CubeSats and lunar communications relays, the UK spacecraft sector is increasingly diverse in both technical output and mission type.

Mission Segmentation: Communication Connectivity Leads the Way

The lion’s share of UK spacecraft activity across civil, military and commercial sectors has centered on communications missions, with significant UK involvement in global programs such as Eutelsat OneWeb. Between 2019 and 2024, Eutelsat OneWeb launched 656 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as part of its first-generation broadband constellation. While manufacturing was based in the United States, the company maintained operational and strategic presence in the UK prior to its merger with France-based Eutelsat. Eutelsat OneWeb’s scale and partial UK footprint reflect the country’s broader role in enabling commercial satellite constellations, even when final integration occurs abroad.

In the Earth observation category, Alba Orbital stands out for its PocketQube platforms, which are ultra-compact 5 cm pico-satellites used for Earth imaging, remote sensing experiments, and educational missions. Through its Unicorn satellite platform and Albapod deployers, Alba also enables third-party payloads to reach orbit, allowing for ultra-low-cost access to space.

As the world’s leading PocketQube rideshare provider, Alba has launched over half of all PocketQubes ever flown, helping democratize access to orbit for universities, startups, and emerging space nations. Alba’s integrated model spans ownership, bus development, system integration, and operations, making it one of the few vertically aligned spacecraft companies in Europe.

Sector Breakdown: Commercial-Led by Volume, Civil and Military by Mission Diversity

Commercial Sector

• Over three-quarters of spacecraft launched with UK involvement fall under the commercial category.

• Airbus UK and Spire Global UK lead the manufacturing effort, contributing both to large-scale constellations and agile cubesat missions.

Civil Sector

• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) remains the UK’s most prominent civil spacecraft provider. Its portfolio includes:
  • FORMOSAT 7-01 to 7-06, part of the COSMIC-2A constellation, developed in collaboration with Taiwan’s NSPO and the US NOAA.
  • These spacecraft support essential functions in global weather forecasting, climate modeling, and space weather monitoring.

Military and Dual-Use Missions

• SSTL has also contributed to the UK’s defense space architecture, delivering two spacecraft for national defense, including one commissioned by the Ministry of Defence.

• This dual-use capability speaks to a broader trend of integration between commercial innovation and military-grade space assets.

Who’s Who: Key Players in UK Spacecraft Development

The UK spacecraft market is overall defined by a mix of legacy expertise and agile upstarts:

• SSTL: A early of small satellite development, SSTL has led dozens of government and international missions.

• Airbus UK: The country’s largest aerospace manufacturer, Airbus is driving major national programs such as Skynet 6A.

• In-Space Missions: Known for rapid mission development and hosted payload services, now operating under BAE Systems.

• AAC Clyde Space: A specialist in small and nanosatellite technologies, AAC Clyde Space designs, manufactures, and operates advanced spacecraft for commercial, institutional, and scientific customers worldwide.

• Open Cosmos: Offers end-to-end mission delivery, targeting affordability and rapid deployment for emerging markets.

• Alba Orbital: A vertically integrated developer of ultra-compact satellites, launching multiple picosats per year.

• Spire Global UK: Provides weather, maritime, and aviation data services through its constellation of small satellites.

Each of these firms plays a unique role across the spacecraft value chain, whether through high-throughput bus manufacturing, systems integration, or hybrid mission support models.

Upcoming Programs to Watch

Set to launch soon, two high-profile missions will elevate the UK’s profile in global space leadership:

Skynet 6A

• A next-generation military communications satellite, built by Airbus UK for the Ministry of Defence.

• Launch expected between 2025–2026.

• Will notably upgrade the UK’s secure satcom capabilities, replacing the aging Skynet 5 constellation.

Lunar Pathfinder

• Led by SSTL, this mission will be the first dedicated lunar communications relay in orbit around the Moon.

• Pathfinder will support ESA’s Moonlight initiative, enabling sustained surface missions and deep-space connectivity.

Together, these projects speak to the UK’s expanding ambitions in both defense-grade assets and interplanetary infrastructure, both of which are domains previously dominated by superpowers.

Infrastructure on the Horizon: UK Launch Capability

UK-built spacecraft have historically depended on international launch providers, most notably U.S.-based giants like SpaceX. But that dynamic is beginning to shift. With Spaceport Cornwall and SaxaVord in active development, the UK is investing in domestic launch infrastructure that promises more responsive, accessible, and sovereign access to orbit.

Once operational, these launch sites will:

• Shorten mission timelines by removing reliance on foreign launch manifests

• Support sovereign satellite constellations and national security goals

• Attract international customers seeking reliable launch-from-Europe options

• Lower the barrier to entry for smaller players, eliminating the need to compete for limited rideshare slots on overseas rockets

While UK launch costs may remain higher than those of SpaceX or Rocket Lab in the near term, government incentives and strategic subsidies can offset pricing gaps, especially for missions aligned with public objectives like defense, science, or infrastructure monitoring.

Ultimately, the convergence of onshore launch, end-to-end spacecraft production, and national mission mandates positions the UK as one of the few countries in Europe pursuing vertical integration across the space value chain, from design and development to lift-off.

Strategic Implications

The UK’s spacecraft market is now at an inflection point. With a proven diversified mission portfolio and increasing investment in sovereign infrastructure, several strategic themes are visible:

• Vertical Integration: UK companies are increasingly owning more of the spacecraft lifecycle—design, bus, integration, and operations.

• Defense-Civil Synergy: Technology crossover between government and commercial missions is deepening, accelerating innovation.

• Platform-as-a-Service Models: Smallsat companies are shifting from hardware-only to mission-as-a-service offerings, democratizing access to space.

• Global Market Positioning: UK spacecraft firms are increasingly competitive in international tenders, securing export potential.

However, challenges remain. The transition from bespoke builds to scalable spacecraft production, ongoing supply chain dependencies, and the delay in operational domestic launch infrastructure could limit near-term growth if not strategically addressed.

Explore the Full UK Spacecraft Market Map

Our UK Spacecraft Market Map is a preview of the available data on the Space Insider Market Intelligence Platform. Our platform provides structured insights into:

• The 28 core UK entities across the spacecraft lifecycle

• Detailed mission and launch statistics

• Sectoral trends across commercial, civil, and defense categories

• Strategic partnerships and national infrastructure investments

Want access to the full dataset? Contact our team to request a demo of the platform or receive the complete intelligence package.

Why Choose Space Insider?

Space Insider delivers real-time, data-backed insights into the global space economy. Unlike static reports, our intelligence platform continuously ingests and structures data from over 100,000 sources, empowering industry leaders to move with clarity and speed.

Whether you’re tracking spacecraft trends, seeking commercial partners, or evaluating policy impacts, Space Insider offers the data depth and strategic context to guide your next move. Explore our intelligence platform today.

• The University of Glasgow has unveiled the world’s first dedicated facility, the NextSpace Testrig, to test materials for in-space manufacturing under simulated space conditions.
• Developed by Dr. Gilles Bailet and backed by the UK Space Agency, the system evaluates structural integrity of 3D-printed materials across extreme vacuum and temperature cycles ranging from -150°C to +250°C.
• The facility aims to prevent debris-causing failures in orbit by stress-testing polymers, ceramics, and metals, supporting the safe advancement of space-based manufacturing and strengthening the UK’s growing role in the global space industry.

A new testing facility in Glasgow could play a critical role in making 3D printing in space safer and more viable.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow‘s James Watt School of Engineering have developed the NextSpace Testrig, the first dedicated platform for testing the structural integrity of materials intended for in-space manufacturing, according to the university.

Funded by the UK Space Agency, the project is led by Dr. Gilles Bailet in collaboration with the Manufacturing Technology Centre. The facility uses a custom-built vacuum chamber that simulates space conditions, cycling between temperatures from -150°C to +250°C. These extreme conditions help assess how 3D-printed polymers, ceramics, and metals hold up under orbital stress.

“3D printing is a very promising technology for allowing us to build very complex structures directly in orbit instead of taking them into space on rockets,” Bailet noted in a press release. “It could enable us to create a wide variety of devices, from lightweight communications antennas to solar reflectors to structural parts of spacecraft or even human habitats for missions to the Moon and beyond.”

In-space manufacturing could transform how space missions are equipped by allowing structures to be built in orbit, reducing payload weight and cost. However, without rigorous testing, the risk of structural failure increases. Imperfections such as microbubbles or weak welds, benign on Earth, could cause parts to shatter in space, the university pointed out. Any resulting debris would contribute to the growing problem of space junk, posing a threat to satellites and spacecraft.

The NextSpace Testrig is designed to mitigate these risks. It applies up to 20 kilonewtons of force to test breakage points and includes an autonomous magazine system to evaluate multiple samples in a single run. The goal is to create a data foundation for setting future safety standards in orbital manufacturing.

“The NextSpace TestRig is open to academic colleagues, researchers and commercial clients from around the world to help them ensure that any materials they plan to 3D print in space will work safely,” Bailet added. “We also expect that the data we’ll be gathering in the years to come, which can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world at the moment, will help regulatory authorities to make safety standards for in-space manufacturing, informed by real-world testing.”

Bailet’s team has also developed a prototype space-ready 3D printer, tested aboard a reduced-gravity aircraft, as part of broader research into additive manufacturing in microgravity.

“We are proud to have supported the University of Glasgow in developing the world’s first facility for testing 3D-printed materials in space-like conditions,” Iain Hughes, Head of the National Space Innovation Programme at the UK Space Agency said in a statement. “This innovation will help to drive UK advancements in space manufacturing, unlocking numerous benefits and meeting the government’s growth ambitions while ensuring safe and sustainable space use.”

• UK-based Space Forge has raised £22.6 million ($30 million) in Series A funding, marking the largest Series A round in UK space tech history, to scale its reusable orbital manufacturing platform for advanced materials.
• The round, led by the NATO Innovation Fund and supported by public and private investors including World Fund, NSSIF, and the British Business Bank, positions Space Forge to demo its returnable manufacturing satellite platform in orbit by 2025 and develop its next-generation ForgeStar-2 satellite.
• By leveraging microgravity and vacuum conditions, Space Forge aims to manufacture semiconductors, quantum components, and clean energy materials in space, potentially cutting CO₂ emissions by 75% and energy use by 60% in critical infrastructure sectors.

PRESS RELEASE – Space Forge, pioneers in space-based advanced materials manufacturing and return technology, announced the completion of its record-breaking £22.6 million (c. $30 million) Series A funding round-the largest Series A in UK space tech history.

The round was led by the NATO Innovation Fund, with significant support from a strategic global consortium including World Fund, the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) and the British Business Bank through its Regional Angels Programme.

By harnessing the unique conditions of space-including microgravity, vacuum, and extreme temperature differentials-Space Forge is unlocking the ability to manufacture materials that are impossible to produce on Earth. These advancements have wide-reaching applications in semiconductors, quantum computing, clean energy, and defence technologies.

Research suggests space-made materials could cut CO₂ emissions by 75% and energy use by 60% in key infrastructure, offering a powerful tool for strengthening climate resilience.

This investment will accelerate the development of ForgeStar®-2- Space Forge’s next-generation returnable manufacturing satellite while supporting the company’s first in-orbit demonstration mission, ForgeStar-1, set to launch in 2025.

Together, these missions will demonstrate a scalable, reusable platform for manufacturing high-performance materials in space-delivering breakthroughs for security, clean energy and infrastructure. The technology offers a promising pathway to strengthen supply chains for semiconductor production, reducing dependence on vulnerable Earth-based manufacturing systems.

Joshua Western, CEO & Co-Founder, Space Forge, said: “This funding marks a significant milestone-not just for Space Forge, but for the entire space economy. With the backing of our investors, we’re accelerating our mission to make space a practical and accessible platform for industrial-scale manufacturing. Our upcoming launches will prove that the future of materials innovation lies beyond Earth, helping us build a more secure, sustainable, and technologically advanced world.”

The calibre of investors backing this round reflects Space Forge’s growing importance in advancing secure, sustainable technologies – across defence, aerospace, and clean tech sectors globally.

Chris O’Connor, Partner, NATO Innovation Fund, said: “We are excited to be supporting Space Forge – a company that is innovating material manufacturing, while also advancing Europe’s access to space, supply chain independence and long-term resiliency. We look forward to working with the Space Forge team to leverage their technological breakthroughs in order to secure the future of NATO nations.”

Daria Saharova, General Partner at World Fund, commented: “Demand for computing power is doubling every two months. Europe imports 80% of its chip supply, with 90% of the world’s most-advanced semiconductors coming from Taiwan. A geopolitical escalation there could have catastrophic consequences for Europe. We urgently need a resilient, homegrown supply of the next-gen supermaterials required for the future of compute. We also need this homegrown chip supply to be produced sustainably. Space Forge’s in-space manufactured semiconductors can reduce energy usage by 75% – by harnessing unique space conditions of microgravity, vacuum and low temperatures. We first backed Space Forge in 2021, long before the link between climate and computing was obvious. This link is clear as day now. We’re thrilled to continue supporting them as they scale, and we’re excited to welcome the NATO Innovation Fund on this journey.”

A spokesperson from the National Security Strategic Fund said: “We are pleased to participate in this funding round which recognises Space Forge as an exciting engine for growth in the UK’s semiconductor and space sector. As strategic investors, NSSIF is focused on shaping the dual-use technology ecosystem and looks forward to supporting Space Forge’s next stage of growth, in line with the ambitions of both the National Space and Semiconductor Strategies.”

Mark Barry, Senior Investment Director, British Business Bank, said: “We’re delighted to be following on in our investment with Space Forge. We’ve been early investors through our partners but this new investment marks our first direct deal under the programme. Josh is one of the best leaders we have had the pleasure to work with and the team’s tenacity to ship product is commendable. We look forward to the launches later this year and being one step closer to enabling this critical technology for the UK.”

This round also includes investment from Innovation Investment Capital Limited Partnership, backed by Cardiff Capital Region, Gaingels, SpaceVC, Unruly, with additional contributions from Helium Three, Stellar and TypeOne, and London Technology Club.

Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “This is great news for the UK’s space industry, and a vote of confidence in the cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technology Space Forge is pioneering in Wales. Our modern Industrial Strategy will drive growth in these sectors even further, giving businesses the confidence they need to commit to investing in the UK and ensuring we remain a partner of choice for space agencies around the world.”

Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “This landmark investment in Space Forge is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK’s growing space economy and its global leadership in space-enabled innovation. Based in South Wales, Space Forge exemplifies how cutting-edge space technology is thriving across all corners of the UK. By transforming the way we manufacture high-performance materials, Space Forge is not only pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in orbit, but will also deliver real-world benefits on Earth — from cleaner energy to more secure supply chains. We’re proud to support pioneering companies like Space Forge as they grow and help secure the UK’s position at the forefront of the space and semiconductor sectors.”

With key industry collaborations underway – including partnerships with Sierra Space and Northrop Grumman – Space Forge is poised to lead the commercialisation of in-space manufacturing from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• A British-built satellite called Biomass is set to become the world’s first mission to map Earth’s forests in 3D from space, launching April 29 from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana.
• Developed by academics at the University of Sheffield and engineers at Airbus UK, Biomass will help scientists track carbon storage and loss with unprecedented detail, aiding global climate strategies and supporting the UK’s “Plan for Change.”
• The project has supported around 250 jobs, secured €91 million in ESA contracts for the UK.

Arianespace’s Vega C rocket streaked across the skies above the Amazon rainforest as the Biomass satellite built by British engineers to measure Earth’s forests in three dimensions from space began it’s mission April 29.

Developed by British academics and manufactured by Airbus UK, the Biomass satellite lifted off at 11:15 CEST from the European Space Agency’s spaceport in French Guiana. The mission aims to create detailed maps of tropical forests, providing scientists with the most accurate data yet on how much carbon is stored in trees and how forests are changing over time, according to the British government.

“Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change,” Sir Chris Bryant, the UK’s Minister for Space said in a statement.

Led by Professor Shaun Quegan of the University of Sheffield, Biomass was conceived to tackle the shortage of accurate global data on forest carbon levels. Unlike existing satellites that largely capture only the tops of forest canopies, Biomass uses advanced radar technology that can penetrate dense foliage and persistent cloud cover to map entire forest structures.

The satellite will create its first full 3D map after 17 months in orbit and continue producing updated two-dimensional maps every nine months during its five-year mission. Scientists expect the data will improve global carbon budgets by providing a clearer picture of carbon sinks and sources, essential for shaping net-zero strategies.

“It’s been a privilege to have led the team in the development of a pioneering mission that will revolutionize our understanding of the volume of carbon held in the most impenetrable tropical rainforests on the planet and, crucially, how this is changing over time,” noted Quegan. “Our research has solved critical operational scientific problems in constructing the Biomass satellite.”  

Currently, measuring forest biomass requires difficult, costly ground expeditions, particularly in remote tropical regions. Biomass offers a way to regularly monitor vast areas from space, helping scientists assess both carbon storage and biodiversity health.:

The project also delivers an economic boost to the UK. Around 250 highly skilled jobs were supported during construction at Airbus’ Stevenage facility, reinforcing the UK’s 52,000-strong space workforce. The mission is seen as a flagship achievement under Britain’s “Plan for Change,” which seeks to pair technological leadership with climate action.

Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, pointed out, “With more than 50 companies involved across 20 nations, the team in Stevenage has shown exceptional leadership in delivering this flagship ESA mission.”    

Since 2016, the UK has secured nearly €91 million in contracts for the Biomass mission through its membership in the ESA.

The satellite’s observations are also expected to help track rates of deforestation and habitat loss, giving scientists better tools to understand how biodiversity is being impacted worldwide. By identifying where forests are shrinking and how quickly, the mission could inform conservation efforts and policymaking.

• Rocket Lab has been selected to provide hypersonic launch and engineering services under major defense development programs for both the United States and United Kingdom.
• The company will support the U.S. Air Force through its $46 billion EWAAC contract and the UK Ministry of Defence through its $1.3 billion Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework.
• Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital launch vehicle, adapted from its Electron rocket, will be used to test advanced hypersonic and re-entry technologies at high speeds and rapid launch cadence.

PRESS RELEASE – Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, announced it has been selected to provide hypersonic test launch capability with its HASTE launch vehicle, engineering expertise, and other services through its participation in two multi-billion dollar government development programs for the United States and the United Kingdom.

Rocket Lab has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to participate within its Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), a $46 billion indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract designed for the rapid acquisition of innovative technologies, engineering services, and technical solutions that develops the Air Force’s new capabilities. The program has a contracting period through to 2031 and is designed to be broad in scope, flexible in funding, and agile for maximum use to enable the Air Force to quicky procure services and technologies across various domains.

Further, Rocket Lab has also been selected by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) for its Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), a ~$1.3 billion (£1 billion) framework to rapidly develop advanced hypersonic capabilities for the United Kingdom. As a newly-selected supplier to the HTCDF, Rocket Lab is now eligible to bid to provide services, technologies, and testing capabilities that support the UK’s development of sovereign hypersonic technology.

Across both programs, Rocket Lab intends to bid for contracts and task orders served by its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) launch vehicle, as well as other engineering, design, and launch services. A suborbital variant of Electron – the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket – HASTE includes much of the same innovative technology as Electron, including carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed rocket engines, but has a modified upper Kick Stage tailored for hypersonic technology tests and a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs. HASTE can deploy technologies at speeds of more than 7.5km per second to test air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, as well as technologies to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. Successful missions to date include three launches for the U.S. Department of Defense – including twice within just 21 days – from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 launch site located on Wallops Island, Virginia. Combined, Rocket Lab’s HASTE and Electron launch vehicles have deployed 200+ payloads from its United States and New Zealand launch sites to date.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “The ability to contribute toward the collective security of the United States and the United Kingdom across both of these important programs is a proud moment for the HASTE team, and a demonstration of Rocket Lab’s commitment to lead from the front when it comes to innovative and unique solutions for hypersonic technology development. Keeping pace with global developments means more affordable tests at a higher rate that expands the boundaries of hypersonic technology – and that’s a capability we’re already providing all in one platform with HASTE, at a commercial price and cadence that serves the mission of both nations.”

• Blue Skies Space has secured a contract from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to design a fleet of CubeSats that could orbit the Moon and detect faint radio signals from the early universe.
• Named RadioLuna, the mission aims to use the radio-quiet far side of the Moon to study the universe’s “dark ages,” a period before stars formed, by detecting low-frequency radio emissions obscured on Earth by man-made interference.
• The study will assess the feasibility of using simple, cost-effective CubeSats with commercial components, with Blue Skies Space Italia leading the project and OHB Italia defining the satellite platform for lunar orbit operations.

PRESS RELEASE – Blue Skies Space, a leader in the provision of space science data to the global research community, has secured a contract from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to design a fleet of satellites that could orbit the Moon and map the early universe.

The project, named RadioLuna, aims to uncover whether a fleet of small satellites in a lunar orbit could detect faint radio signals from the universe’s earliest days—signals that are nearly impossible to pick up on Earth due to man-made radio interference. These signals, in the FM radio range, come from a time before the first stars formed, when the universe was mostly hydrogen gas. By listening from the far side of the Moon, free from Earth’s radio noise, scientists could use the satellites to uncover a missing piece of the puzzle in our understanding of the cosmic “dark ages.”

Dr Marcell Tessenyi, CEO and Co-founder of Blue Skies Space, said: “The idea for this project stemmed from the global efforts to develop the lunar economy. Programmes by space agencies such as ESA Moonlight or NASA Artemis can provide the transport, communication and timing infrastructure to projects such as RadioLuna. We are grateful to the Italian Space Agency for funding this activity with our project partner OHB Italia to explore novel ways of delivering exciting science.”

The study will establish the viability of operating simple and cost-effective CubeSats equipped with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components orbiting the Moon and will be led by Blue Skies Space Italia S.r.l., a subsidiary of UK-based Blue Skies Space Ltd. Project partner OHB Italia will be responsible for the definition of a viable platform in a Moon orbit.

“RadioLuna is a challenge where scientific ambition meets engineering pragmatism,” stated Roberto Aceti, Managing Director of OHB Italia. “We are proud to contribute to the development of an observatory that could open new frontiers in our understanding of the early universe, bringing to the mission our expertise and our M3 platform.”

Dr Tessenyi continued: “We started Blue Skies Space to capitalise on the changes brought by the NewSpace economy. RadioLuna is an excellent opportunity to showcase the benefits these bring to science.”

• German space and technology firm OHB has launched a new subsidiary in the United Kingdom, establishing a presence in Bristol to develop innovative space products and systems for national and European markets.
• The investment, which will create up to 50 specialist jobs, aligns with OHB’s strategy to expand its collaborations with UK-based companies and institutions in the European Space Agency (ESA) ecosystem.
• The Bristol-based operation aims to enhance Europe’s sovereignty in space technology, with a focus on security-related programs and partnerships with entities such as SaxaVord Spaceport and Rocket Factory Augsburg.

German space and technology group OHB is expanding into the United Kingdom with a multi-million pound investment in a new subsidiary. The Bristol-based operation is expected to focus on developing space products and systems for national and European markets, according to OHB.

“I am truly glad that we have finally established a presence in one of Europe’s key space markets. The Bristol region, with its high-tech cluster, provides a great environment for OHB to develop innovative and competitive space products and systems from the UK for the national and European markets.” OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said in a statement.

The South West will benefit through the creation of up to 50 specialist jobs in Bristol working on satellites and exploration spacecraft, according to the UK’s Department of Business and Trade. Industry Minister Sarah Jones will announce the investment in a speech to the Farnborough International Space Show this week and is considered by the government as a “major win for the South West’s world-leading aerospace cluster, and the latest vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment.”

The move bolsters OHB’s position in the European space sector, particularly in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). UK industries have been significant players in the ESA space environment, and OHB aims to deepen its partnerships with these companies to enhance industrial cooperation, the company noted in a statement. The company sees its expansion as a step towards strengthening European sovereignty and resilience in space technologies, especially in security-related programs.

As part of NATO, Germany and the UK share strong defense ties, and OHB’s new subsidiary plans to contribute to security and defense-focused space programs. Additionally, the company aims to develop critical knowledge in various space domains and take on system-level responsibilities to enhance Europe’s technological superiority in space.

OHB’s move to the UK builds on existing partnerships such as its cooperation with SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German launch services company.

The decision to base operations in Bristol was driven by the region’s well-established high-tech ecosystem and innovation-driven environment. The West of England Combined Authority played a role in securing OHB’s investment through collaboration with Invest Bristol & Bath, Space West, the UK Space Agency, and the Department for Business and Trade.

“The arrival of such a prestigious space prime will have a profound impact on both the regional and national space ecosystem,” Space West, a regional consortium of academic and industry partners promoting growth and innovation in the space sector, noted in a statement.