Whitepaper on UK Space Policy and funding from an academic point of view - on funding gap implications, membership of ESA, need for a strong national and bilateral programmes along with comments on links to industry and some general points
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A summary of key points raised on behalf of academia. These points were also shared with Civil Servants attending and working on Space policy after the meeting.
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The Space Academic Network (SPAN) (206 members from 57 universities representing an academic view on space policy and funding) welcomes the Government plans for an Industrial Strategy (IS).
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This document expands the original concept of science targeted missions to all uses in Space. This document is a development of a SPAN White Paper put together in 2019 on so-called Sci-Sats.
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This paper outlines areas for further funding in academic institutions in the areas of Space Technology and Training under the auspices of the National Space Programme.
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This paper outlines a proposed strategy to address a critical lack of funding for UK university research in space science, engineering and technology.
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This paper describes the case for a Nano-Launcher programme of research and development and the case for student competitions in this area.
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To establish a National programme for the development of new World-leading science using small satellite technology and missions to accelerate and demonstrate UK leadership.
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A study into the nature and benefits of the UK's space science activity.
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SPAN hosted a workshop on potential dual use on December 5, 2022, at Leeds University. The workshop report is only available by sending a request to SPAN, specifying why you would like to view it.
Request Publication14 July 2025
For immediate release – Monday 14 July 2025 The UK Space Academic Network (SPAN) is pleased to announce that Professor Anna Hogg has been nominated to serve as its next Co-Chair. This nomination has the support of the current SPAN Co-Chairs, as well as the Working Group leads and deputies, and reflects the strategic continuity […]
06 December 2024
The SPAN team attended the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) – UK Community Workshop at The Open University, led by Martin Barstow and Jesper Skottfelt. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is NASA’s next flagship space astronomy mission, building on the legacy of Hubble, Webb, and Roman, to search for Earth-like planets and potential signs of life. […]
07 October 2024
The Whitepaper, now available from SPAN, covers and I hope reflects academic views on funding gap implications, membership of ESA, need for a strong national and bilateral programmes along with comments on links to industry and some general points.
