The Space Exploration
Technology Roadmap will guide research and development
activity and future funding decisions over the next decade,
putting the UK’s growing space sector in a stronger position to
collaborate with international partners including NASA, the
European Space Agency and JAXA (Japan’s space agency).
The roadmap identifies a number of gaps to be addressed as well
as areas of existing strength which should be built upon for the
UK to fully benefit from the increasing commercialisation of
space exploration and the global space economy, which is
estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2040.
UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said:
Discovery is fundamental to the work of the UK Space Agency, and
we are entering a new era of space exploration where governments
and commercial operators are working closer than ever before.
By setting out this roadmap, we are giving clarity to industry
and researchers across the space sector, and positioning the UK
as a partner of choice for future space exploration missions to
the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance the
capability and efficiency of missions. As you move further away
from Earth, autonomous navigation helps spacecraft explore
planets and moons without the need for direct, continuous control
by human crews back on Earth or in orbit. The technology is also
important for the growing number of commercial satellites in low
Earth orbit.
As humans return to the Moon and develop the infrastructure to
travel to Mars, nuclear power will provide a reliable and lasting
source of energy for activities such as construction, power,
heating and life support.
A simplified list of the technologies recommended in the roadmap
is below.
The roadmap supports the aims of the National Space Strategy to
grow and level-up the space sector and put the UK at the
forefront of pioneering research and development. It is informed
by consultation with the space sector, to identify the most
appropriate technologies for the UK to focus on. The roadmap will
act as a brochure of UK technological capabilities for investors
and customers around the world.
Further consultation and collaboration with UK organisations
active in these fields will help develop detailed analysis on
each specific technology area, while regular reviews of the
roadmap will ensure it keeps pace with new technological and
commercial developments, as well as the UK’s growing ambitions in
space.
It follows the first meeting of the newly reinstated National
Space Council yesterday (19th July), which saw ministers discuss
government space policy, including ambitions to become Europe’s
leading provider of small commercial launch by 2030. The release
of the new National Space Strategy in Action was also announced
during the meeting, outlining the UK space sector’s progress
since the launch of the National Space Strategy in 2021, as well
as plans for the establishment of more regional space clusters
and a review of space regulations to boost effectiveness and
innovation.
Major projects featured in the roadmap include Lunar Pathfinder,
a spacecraft designed, owned and operated by Surrey Satellite
Technology to trailblaze the European Space Agency’s Moonlight
project to create a network of satellites that would provide
communication and navigation services for exploration on the
Moon.
The UK-led Rosalind Franklin Rover, due for launch to Mars in
2028 is also highlighted, along with Nammo’s satellite propulsion
system and the University of Glasgow’s novel pulse elevator
technology that can be used to extract solid materials with less
impact that traditional drilling.
