By Clara Bullock & Ben PraterBBC News, Wiltshire
Getty ImagesThe UK Space Agency is offering £15m of funding to groups who want to do science experiments in space.
The Swindon-based agency is planning a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) made of an all-UK astronaut team.
The funding is for science experiments and technology demonstrators that will fly on the mission, should it go ahead.
“There would be so many exciting areas that would be welcomed,” Dr Natalya Zavina-James told BBC Radio Wiltshire.
“We think experiments could range from biological science, medical science, to engineering, pharmaceutical development and communications.
“We are really excited to see what might come through.”
NASAWhile the mission is not yet fully confirmed, Dr Zavina-James said they are “fairly confident” of the progress they are making with American company Axiom.
“Although the funding is dependent on the mission proceeding, we’re hoping to give scientists and innovators, businesses, the opportunity to put in proposals now,” she said.
She added that this would “maximise the benefit” of a potential mission in the future.
Minister for space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Andrew Griffith, said: “There is huge potential for UK businesses to play an increasingly important role in space exploration and the development of new technologies.
“The £15m funding calls mark a significant stride in our collaborative mission with Axiom Space, and I urge the UK science and technology community to use this opportunity to drive forwards discovery and unleash innovation in critical technologies.”
The UK Space Agency is working with Axiom Space on plans for a commercial mission to the ISS, with the support of the European Space Agency.
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The UK Space Agency, based in Swindon, offers an exhilarating opportunity for research groups interested in conducting scientific experiments in space. They are earmarking a whopping £15m of funding for such ventures. The agency is in its advanced stages of planning for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with the team completely composed of British astronauts (“all-UK astronaut team”).
The funding is aimed at scientific experiments and technology demonstrators that will be part of the mission, provided it is given a green light. “There would be so many exciting areas that would be welcomed,” exclaimed Dr Natalya Zavina-James during an interview on BBC Radio Wiltshire. Their enthusiasm, it seems, is rooted in the potential diversity of experiments that might come from this initiative. They envisage a range of experiments, spanning from biological and medical sciences, through to engineering, pharmaceutical development, and even communications.
Although the mission is not fully confirmed yet, they are “fairly confident” of the progress with American company Axiom. Speaking about the funding, Dr Zavina-James explained that although it is dependent on the mission’s approval, they are hoping to give scientists, innovators, and businesses the opportunity to submit their proposals now, as this would “maximise the benefit” of a potential mission in the future.
The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s Minister for Space, Andrew Griffith, highlighted the significant stride in their collaborative mission with Axiom Space. “There is huge potential for UK businesses to play an increasingly important role in space exploration and the development of new technologies,” he said, urging the United Kingdom’s science and technology communities to capitalize on this opportunity which could drive forwards discovery and unleash innovation in critical technologies.
The UK Space Agency, in conjunction with Axiom Space, is working on the plans for a commercial mission to the ISS. They are also receiving support from the European Space Agency in this venture. Given the astounding pace of technological advancement and growing interest in space exploration, this potential mission certainly promises to be a momentous step forward for the UK’s involvement in space sciences. The anticipation for innovative experiments from varying research areas in the UK is nothing short of sky-high.
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