The UK government has revealed more than £19 million in funding to accelerate the development of advanced space technologies, with a focus on in-orbit manufacturing, satellite safety and space infrastructure
The announcement was made at London Tech Week by the UK Space Minister, reinforcing the country’s ambition to remain a global leader in the rapidly expanding space sector.
British companies are expected to benefit from scale, innovative ideas, attract private investment and develop space technologies that could shape the future of space operations, including how materials are manufactured, returned to Earth and managed in orbit.
10 million of the funding has been awarded to Cardiff-based company Space Forge, a pioneer in in-space manufacturing. The company is developing advanced semiconductor production techniques in microgravity, where materials can form with fewer defects and improved performance compared with Earth-based manufacturing.
The investment will support the development of “Pridwen,” a reusable, deployable heat shield designed to protect spacecraft during re-entry. Unlike traditional rigid heat shields, Pridwen expands during descent to provide a larger protective surface, reducing stress on the spacecraft and enabling safer, more efficient returns of manufactured materials and payloads.
The system is intended to make space-based manufacturing more commercially viable by improving the reliability and frequency of return missions, which is an essential step for scaling production in orbit.
Strengthening the UK’s wider space ecosystem
Alongside the Space Forge investment, a further £9.25 million is being directed to early-stage UK space companies through the Space Portfolio of the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital. The initiative aims to help promising start-ups grow, secure private funding and bring new space technologies to market.
The UK Space Agency and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have highlighted that previous investments through the fund have been highly effective at attracting private capital, helping to multiply public funding several times over.
Start-ups advancing satellite safety and navigation
Several companies are already benefiting from the UKI2S Space Portfolio. Among them is Silicon Microgravity, which develops precision sensors used in navigation and defence systems. A relatively small public investment helped the company secure several million pounds in private backing.
Another recipient, Optera, specialises in sensors for tracking objects in orbit and has recently expanded its operations to the UK. Its funding has supported additional private investment in developing tools to monitor space activity and reduce collision risks.
Spaceflux is also contributing to orbital safety by tracking satellites and space debris, helping improve awareness of objects in crowded orbital regions. Additional funding has enabled the company to secure substantial private investment to scale its systems.
Building a sustainable future in space
The latest funding round reflects the UK’s broader strategy to support space technologies that make space activities safer, more sustainable and commercially viable. From reusable spacecraft components to advanced satellite tracking systems, the investments aim to strengthen both scientific capability and economic growth in the UK’s space sector.
Officials say the combined effort will help position the UK at the forefront of in-orbit manufacturing and space sustainability, while supporting high-skilled jobs and encouraging continued private sector growth in one of the world’s fastest-evolving industries.
