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Our Impact

For more than sixty years, we’ve advanced the frontiers of science through pioneering space missions, cutting-edge technologies, and global collaboration. From supporting the first British satellite, Ariel-1, in 1962 to contributing instruments for landmark missions like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and ESA’s Rosetta, our work drives new knowledge, enables innovation that improves lives, and fuels sustainable growth across the UK space economy.

Our research and engineering continually demonstrate the space science impact UK organisations can achieve – showing how space technology accelerates discovery, enhances national capability, and delivers long-term space technology benefits for society.

MIRI image

1500+

users supported by JASMIN to explore topics including climate change, oceanography and more

578

environmental test campaigns hosted over the last 5 years

63%

of all solar missions using a camera use RAL Space technology

Our impact in action

Working across 250+ space and ground-based missions, RAL Space has a long-standing heritage of supporting national and international programmes to further our understanding of Earth, our closest neighbours, and deep space. We are not only actively involved in developing missions, but we also support the development of new technologies and methods to enhance the next-generation of missions.

View missions and case studies
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ExoMars 2016

ExoMars (2016) was a combination of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the landing Demonstrator Module Schiaparelli. They flew to Mars in search of methane and other trace gases.
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SpeQtre

SpeQtre aims to test communications so secure that any attempt to intercept them is instantly detectable – a fundamental law of physics that makes the technology unhackable even by future...
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PUNCH

The Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission is a NASA small-explorer (SMEX) mission: its primary science goal is to fully discern the cross-scale physical processes that unify...
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MicroCarb

MicroCarb, developed in partnership between the UK Space Agency and French Space Agency CNES, is Europe's first dedicated carbon dioxide (CO₂) monitoring satellite, marking a major milestone in the global...
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STEREO

The STEREO mission studies the structure and evolution of solar storms as they emerge from the Sun.
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Solar Dynamics Observatory

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is a NASA mission which has been observing the Sun since 2010.
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CASSIOPE

Observing space weather with a hybrid satellite carrying several payloads.
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SOHO

The SOHO mission, a joint programme between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, studies the Sun’s interior, the Sun’s atmosphere and the solar wind.

Our work

RAL Space's work and outputs are driven by scientific curiosity and technological advancements that improve lives and drive growth.

Earth observation

Harnessing Earth observation to monitor, understand, and protect our planet for future generations.

Resilient society

Protecting our planet and infrastructure by turning space science into real-world resilience.

Space science and exploration

Exploring the Universe to unlock its secrets and inspire innovations that transform life on Earth.

Public Engagement

Inspiring the next generation of space explorers

We’re opening up space to everyone. By showcasing our exciting missions, facilities, science, technologies and real-world impact, we aim to engage young people, the public and our communities with our exciting discoveries and the value of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in their lives. We aim to inspire the next generation to shape the future of space and innovation.

Public engagement
School children taking part in HOW schools day

Enquiries

If you’re looking for support to discover more about our planet and the Universe, get in touch with our team of experts.

Get in touch
Team member