New funding calls worth €17.5 million were opened on Tuesday for British science and technology to fly into space if the proposed mission with Axiom Space goes ahead, the UK Space Agency announced.
The agency is seeking proposals for the best British science and technology that could fly into space with a team of British astronauts, funded by commercial sponsorship. Axiom Space confirms that active discussions are ongoing with commercial sponsors about the mission concept.
Two new calls for funding, one for science and one for technology demonstrators, have been opened in preparation for reaching agreement on this It carries a team of four British astronauts on a commercially sponsored missionAnd perhaps to the International Space Station (ISS).
While commercial funding for projects depends on mission development, the UK Space Agency is offering scientists, innovators and companies the opportunity to submit proposals now to maximize the mission's short-term benefits.
Andrew Griffiths, MP and Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “There is huge potential for UK companies to play an increasingly important role in space exploration and the development of new technologies. The €17.5 million funding requests represent an important step in our collaborative mission with Axiom Space I urge the UK science and technology community to seize this opportunity to drive discovery and unleash innovation in biotechnologies.
Tuesday's announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space in October 2023, which outlined plans for a commercially sponsored British astronaut mission and an initial request for ideas for science and technology.
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