The UK Space Agency has announced a fresh wave of investment aimed at strengthening international collaboration, enhancing national capabilities, and driving economic growth through space innovation. A total of 23 new projects have been awarded funding under the second round of the International Bilateral Fund (IBF), representing a £6.5 million commitment to UK-led partnerships with global allies.
The projects span a wide range of cutting-edge technologies—from autonomous 3D printing and lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection, biotech manufacturing, and deep space radar. These initiatives involve collaboration with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, and the United States.
The UK’s space sector, which employs over 55,000 people and contributes £18.6 billion annually to the economy, is set to benefit from this strategic investment. The projects cover key areas such as life sciences, communications, in-orbit servicing, Earth observation, and advanced materials.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:
"This £6.5 million boost shows Britain leading the way in space innovation.”
“From improving mobile coverage to monitoring Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with our allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It's an exciting time for our space sector and great news for British businesses reaching for the stars."
The announcement was made during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, underscoring the UK’s commitment to global cooperation in space. It also aligns with the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which prioritises international research and development partnerships as a driver of innovation and economic resilience.
The IBF plays a pivotal role in this strategy, offering targeted support for UK-led international collaborations and helping to build long-term capabilities across the global space ecosystem.
This funding round follows recent milestones in UK-US space cooperation, including a new agreement between NASA and the UK Space Agency to develop AI models for future exploration missions under the Transatlantic Tech Prosperity Deal. UK scientists also contributed a key instrument to NASA’s IMAP mission, successfully launched on 23 September.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:
"These new projects span the full spectrum of UK space expertise, from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change how we develop treatments for deadly diseases using microgravity. By combining home-grown talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support growth, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation.”
The announcement comes at a significant juncture for the UK Space Agency, which is set to be integrated into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) from 1 April 2026. The merger will create a unified civil space unit, streamlining strategy, policy, and delivery to better support the sector’s ambitions.
Image credit: UK Space Agency
