The space industry is a major catalyst for driving R&D and innovation both for exploration but also terrestrial applications providing economic and societal benefit.

With access to Space increasing, alongside a growing number of future infrastructure providers and satellite operators, the In-Orbit Service, Assembly and Manufacturing (IASM) economy is set to grow and provide further opportunities for R&D. With the UK Governments focus on building a resilient, inventive and sustainable economy it is crucial to build the evidence of potential and supporting infrastructure to enable this opportunity.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and innovation has a mission to discover the secrets of the universe, drive advance technologies and solve real world challenges. One of the mechanisms STFC has deployed to enable this mission is a Cross Cluster Proof of Concept Fund which stimulated engagement and collaboration between organisations to drive development of technologies, products or services.

This grant call compliments the wider fund and is specifically designed to build the evidence base for the opportunity for the IASM economy. It will provide a pump priming grant of up to £10k to a UK Registered business to support the formation of a long-term collaboration with partners (either Industry, Academia or wider public sector) through delivery of a proof of principle project. Funding may be used for networking and travel costs, but can also include some modest research, such as paying for consumables or access to specialist equipment for research to gather preliminary data.

This call is in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult aligning to the Beyond Earth Mission. The mission is driving a thriving, equitable and sustainable in-space economy. To achieve this, we are working to advance the UK’s in-orbit capabilities to unlock emerging economic opportunity, bolster our safety and security and help solve the grand challenges on Earth. We provide facilities, expertise, collaboration on projects and convene the sector to accelerate progress and elevate the UK’s position in the global space market.

The scope of Beyond Earth includes In-Space Manufacturing and R&D and In-Space Logistics and Services. In-Space Manufacturing and R&D focuses on the development of new technologies and novel materials and products to exploit the unique qualities of the in-orbit environment. The advances in In-Space Logistics and Services we are driving, will expand the space economy, create commercial opportunities for UK organisations and take us all towards a more sustainable use of space.

This initiative builds on previous collaborations between the Satellite Applications Catapult and STFC including the publication of the Why Space Paper for Materials Innovation earlier this year

Why Space? Paper PDF

Why Space? the Opportunity for Materials Science and Innovation

If you have any questions please contact philip.carvil@stfc.ac.uk

Launch Webinar: Grant Call - In Orbit Service, Assembly & Manufacturing