UK Space Agency is a significant organization in the space industry. Detailed historical information will be added soon.
This page is under development. Please check back for comprehensive history, mission details, and achievements.
UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency was publicly announced by UK Minister of State for Science and Innovation Lord Drayson on December 10, 2009, officially established at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on March 23, 2010, and became a full executive agency on April 1, 2011. The agency replaced the British National Space Centre and consolidated various separate sources of space-related funding into a unified organization responsible for coordinating UK civil space activities. Headquartered at Harwell, Oxfordshire—part of the UK Space Gateway hosting start-ups, the Satellite Applications Catapult, RAL Space, and ESA's ECSAT Facility—the UK Space Agency also maintains offices in Cardiff, Leicester, and Edinburgh. For 2025-26, the agency received a £681.3 million allocation from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), representing a 10% increase from the previous year's £618.2 million. Over 80% of the budget supports UK participation in the European Space Agency (ESA), where Britain is a major contributor and program participant. The UK Space Agency has catalyzed significant private sector investment, generating £2.2 billion in 2024/25 and securing £844 million in ESA contracts for UK industry between 2022-2024 (with additional €134 million secured in 2024/25 alone). The agency is working toward delivering the UK's first domestic orbital launches from spaceports in Scotland and Cornwall by 2025-2026, advancing national active debris removal missions, and participating in major international programs including the International Space Station, Mars sample return, and lunar exploration. In August 2025, the UK government announced the agency would be absorbed into DSIT in April 2026, though it will retain its name and mission.
Core Capabilities
ESA program participation and coordinationSatellite manufacturing and operationsEarth observation and climate monitoringSpace science missions (Mars, lunar programs)Launch site development (Scotland, Cornwall)Active debris removal technologyCommercial space sector supportInternational Space Station operations
Active Missions
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Vehicles
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Completed Missions
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History & Development
Recent Highlights
- Budget increased to £681.3 million (2025-26) - 10% rise from previous year demonstrating UK government's commitment to space sector growth and international leadership
- Catalyzed £2.2 billion investment (2024/25) - Agency activities generated substantial private sector funding, with £844 million in ESA contracts secured for UK companies over 2022-2024
- First UK orbital launches approaching (2025-26) - Domestic spaceports in Scotland and Cornwall preparing for inaugural small satellite launches, establishing UK sovereign launch capability
- Active Debris Removal mission funded - £10 million invested in national mission to remove two defunct UK satellites, demonstrating leadership in space sustainability and debris mitigation
- Integration with DSIT announced (August 2025) - Will be absorbed into Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in April 2026 while retaining UK Space Agency name and mission
- Harwell Space Cluster growth - UK Space Gateway hosting expanding ecosystem of start-ups, research centers (RAL Space), innovation hubs (Satellite Applications Catapult), and ESA facilities
- Strong ESA partnership - UK is major ESA member state with over 80% of budget supporting European programs, securing substantial contracts for British space industry
- Regional office expansion - Established presence in Cardiff, Leicester, and Edinburgh alongside Harwell headquarters, supporting space sector development across UK
- ISS and international missions - Ongoing participation in International Space Station, ESA Mars sample return, BepiColombo to Mercury, and JUICE Jupiter exploration