Space at UKRI
Spanning research councils, national laboratories, and innovation programmes, UKRI supports the UK space sector across the full lifecycle of missions, from early-stage discovery and technology development to advanced manufacturing, commercialisation, and international collaboration.
Our vision is to deliver and influence space research and innovation, and use the resulting data to inspire, explore and exploit new opportunities across our Universe, protect our planet and the people on it.
Our mission is to support the UK space research and innovation ecosystem, to underpin national space capability and enable new discovery.
We deliver this through convening partnerships, catalysing new ways of working, and investing in research, innovation, skills, and infrastructure.
What is UKRI?
UKRI is the UK’s largest public funder of research and innovation. We invest more than £8 billion annually to advance our understanding of society and the world around us and deliver benefits for society, the economy and the environment.
Our organisation comprises nine councils which are responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England.
Through our Councils and the critical national capabilities provided by our centres, units and institutes, we deliver, support and champion the creativity and vibrancy of research and innovation in the UK, for the benefit of society.
UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Space activities in UKRI councils
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
STFC supports the academic community providing grant funding for astronomy, solar physics and space science and gives space businesses access to world-leading knowledge, unique facilities and the networks they need to succeed. Through its national laboratories, including RAL Space and UK Astronomy Technology Centre, STFC actively supports space technology transfer through commercialisation of intellectual property. Whether you’re space start-up, a high-growth SME or multinational organisation we have the breadth and depth of expertise to support your growth journey. Our clusters across the UK in Harwell, Edinburgh and Daresbury allow for local delivery to businesses with global ambitions.
RAL Space
RAL Space is the UK’s national space laboratory, with over 60 years of experience in space programmes. We enable space science and exploration, Earth observation and a more resilient society. We run some of the UK’s most advanced space and science facilities and our experts work throughout the lifecycle of space missions. From leading concept studies for future spacecraft; developing bespoke scientific instrumentation; providing space test and calibration services; operating ground-stations to processing and analysing data. We support UK academia through collaborations, services and technology development and partner the UK space industry through contract research and access to our world-leading facilities.
UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC)
The UK ATC is the national centre of excellence for the development of astronomy instruments. We deliver innovative and capable cameras, spectrometers and bespoke instrument & telescope systems for ground and space-based astronomy. We also apply our capabilities in areas like Earth Observation and ophthalmology. The Higgs Centre for Innovation at the UK ATC provides business incubation and testing facilities for small satellites and components.
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
NERC is the driving force of investment in environmental science in the UK. Space related research is an essential and integral component of environmental research and innovation and NERC has a diverse research portfolio including several, specific space-related fields such as space weather and processes in the upper atmosphere. Earth Observation (EO) data underpins research helping to making significant advances in important areas of science such as understanding the extent and pace of climate change, mitigating against natural hazards such as floods and forest fires and the sustainable use of natural resources by society. UK environmental EO scientists, supported by NERC, are leaders in many international space missions. NERC also provides UK scientific oversight of EO as a space-enabled activity and provides national capabilities and facilities.
