The UK government is eyeing up the possibilities for satellite-powered broadband and 5G coverage with a potential £160 million on the table for companies working in the field.
The fund would mark the UK’s most significant ever investment in satellite communications, possibly creating services that that could rival SpaceX’s StarLink product. The satellites could be key to offering connectivity in remote and rural parts of the UK, lessening the divide in internet connectivity.
The Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit scheme (CLEO) would build on Britain’s established and growing satellites industry by providing UK researchers and businesses with critical support to drive the development of new constellations. This includes the launch of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that the government hopes would provide resistance against interference of communication infrastructure by hostile parties.
The potential funding would be split between a grant up to £100 million to expand the space sector. The government suggest the remaining £60 million would go to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) UK-backed Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, which supports UK industry in delivering commercial satellite communications infrastructure. Michelle Donellan, UK Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, said: “Tackling the digital divide is at the heart of empowering our citizens wherever they live, and by investing in the vital research and development that would facilitate, we can level up our country while growing the economy through high-quality jobs.”
Harshbir Sangha, missions and capabilities delivery director at the UK Space Agency, said: “Today’s announcement is a vital step towards the delivery of a key priority of the UK Space Agency – to maximise the potential of low Earth orbit and become a global leader in next generation satellite communications technologies by building our ability to service future high-volume constellations.”
This announcement follows the reintroduction of the government’s National Space Council. Co-chaired by the Science and Defence Secretaries, the Council is responsible for coordinating government policy on space and ensuring that the UK has the ability take advantage of the opportunities presented by the space sector in an effort to drive job creation and grow the economy.