Following the publication of the UK’s National Space Policy, the Government intends to provide support for research into spaceflight. On behalf of the UK Space Agency, the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation and Space Technology (CEOI-ST) invites proposals for industrial research and development projects that will contribute to the introduction of sub-orbital flight and satellite launch operations in the UK, as part of the National Space Technology Programme (NSTP). 

In particular the UK government has the ambition to establish a spaceport in the UK and is examining the case for commercial spaceflight and small satellite launch activities, as set out in the recently published National Space Policy. This Call aims to develop the growth of the UK space sector by funding research into commercial sub-orbital flight and small satellite launch systems that may be able to operate from the UK within the next 5 years. 

The objective of the call is to identify technical challenges with the introduction and operation of such services in the UK, to investigate solutions that could be commercially viable and to start development of the underpinning technologies required to support these activities. 

Proposals should involve research projects that will: 

• determine how sub-orbital or small satellite launch vehicles primarily designed for operation outside of the UK can be adapted to operate on a commercial basis in the UK 
• develop capabilities in the UK that will increase the UK's ability to operate sub-orbital or small satellite launch services 
• develop UK technology and demonstrate components to TRL 5 that can be used for sub-orbital and small satellite launch systems 

The Call seeks proposals for research and development projects with grants typically in the range of £150,000 to £250,000 that will complete within 6 months. Additional PV funds will be required from industrial bidders. 

This Open Call will be released on 5th January 2016. The closing date is 16th February 2016 at noon, with projects able to start during March 2016. If you expect to submit a bid, you should register your intention to do so by 29th January 2016 at noon, following the instructions contained in the Announcement of Opportunity document.

If you are not intending to lead a bid, but would like to be considered as a potential partner in a bid led by another organisation, you should do so by 22nd  January 2016 at noon, following the instructions contained in the Announcement of Opportunity document.

This document together with full details of the Call are available here on the CEOI website.

The Call will be issued on behalf of the UK Space Agency by the CEOI-ST Partners (Airbus DS Ltd, QinetiQ Ltd, STFC/RAL Space and University of Leicester), who will also manage the selected projects on behalf of the Agency. 

For further information contact: Mr Chris Brownsword, CEOI-ST Technical Director