While most people look at the big players like NASA or SpaceX, the UK has been carving out its own very specific and impressive niche in the space industry. It’s not just about sending people into orbit; it’s about the massive amount of tech and science happening right here on the ground that keeps the global space sector moving.
From building some of the most advanced satellites in the world to developing brand new ways of launching from our own soil, the British space scene is actually a lot more active than you might think. We’ve moved away from just being a supporting act and are now leading the way in things like clearing up orbital junk and tracking climate change from above. These 10 points show exactly what the UK is currently up to among the stars and why we’re a much bigger deal in space than many realise.
1. Building the UK’s first vertical launch spaceports in Scotland
SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands received its licence in December 2023, making it the UK’s first licensed vertical launch site and the first fully licensed vertical spaceport in Western Europe. The site can host up to 30 launches per year, and multiple rocket companies are preparing to launch from there.
Rocket Factory Augsburg received its launch licence in January 2025 and the first vertical orbital launch from UK soil is expected in 2025. Scotland now has several spaceports under development, positioning the UK as a serious European competitor in the commercial launch market. The northern location is perfect for reaching polar and sun-synchronous orbits that most satellites need.
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2. Investing £20 million in Orbex to launch British-built rockets
In January 2025, the government invested £20 million directly in Orbex, a UK rocket company developing the Prime rocket. This will be the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket, designed to launch small satellites into orbit from Scotland.
The rocket is pioneering in its sustainability, powered by renewable bio-propane fuel that cuts carbon emissions significantly compared to other rockets. It’s also designed to be reusable, with components recovered and refurbished after launch. The investment supports 140 highly skilled jobs and positions Britain as a leader in environmentally sustainable space launch technology.
3. Spending over £1.6 billion on European Space Agency programmes
Over 80% of the UK Space Agency’s budget goes to participation in ESA, which wasn’t affected by Brexit because ESA isn’t an EU organisation. The UK committed £1.6 billion to ESA programmes over five years in November 2022, and by March 2025, the UK had secured ESA contracts worth £80 million more than what the government contributed.
This means British companies are winning more work than the UK is paying in, generating real economic returns. Britain is the second largest contributor to ESA and plays a major role in satellite development, telecommunications, and Earth observation programmes.
4. Developing the National Space Propulsion Test Facility that helped land on the Moon
The NSPTF in Westcott has been fully booked since opening in 2021 and provides crucial testing capabilities for rocket engines. The facility supported Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander mission that successfully landed on the Moon in March 2025.
The main engine that powered the lander from Earth orbit to the Moon was designed, built, and tested at the NSPTF by British company Nammo UK. This demonstrates that British engineering and testing facilities are directly contributing to international lunar missions, even if the UK doesn’t have its own crewed space programme.
5. Leading international efforts on space debris and sustainability
The UK chairs the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee from April 2025 to March 2026, taking a leading role in global efforts to address the growing problem of space junk. Britain is actively involved in UN discussions on long-term space sustainability and funds capacity building work on these issues.
The UK also leads work on the Long-Term Sustainability Working Group at the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. As orbital debris becomes a critical threat to satellite operations, Britain is positioning itself as a leader in developing international frameworks to keep space accessible.
6. Building more satellites in Glasgow than any other European city
Glasgow has become a satellite manufacturing powerhouse, producing more satellites than anywhere else in Europe. The UK space industry generated £18.9 billion in income in 2021-22 and supports over 52,000 jobs across the country.
Almost half of UK space jobs exist outside London and the South East, with Scotland hosting 228 space organisations that generated £298 million in 2021-22. Britain’s strength in satellite design, manufacturing, and data applications means the country could become an end-to-end provider, building satellites, launching them from UK soil, and processing the data they collect.
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7. Launching satellites through horizontal spaceport technology
Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay conducted the UK’s first orbital launch attempt in January 2023 using Virgin Orbit’s horizontal launch system, where a rocket is carried to altitude by an aircraft before launching. Although that particular mission failed, it marked a historic moment as the first orbital launch attempt from UK soil.
The horizontal launch approach offers different advantages to vertical launches and demonstrates the UK is exploring multiple paths to space access. Cornwall continues developing its capabilities, while vertical launch sites in Scotland prepare for their first attempts.
8. Catalysing £2.2 billion in private space investment
In 2024-25, the UK Space Agency’s activities generated £2.2 billion in investment and revenue from the £581 million it distributed to the space sector. The Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund alone catalysed over £700 million in projected private investment.
This shows government space spending is leveraging significant private sector investment, with every pound of public money generating multiple pounds of economic activity. Regional space clusters across the UK are receiving funding to build infrastructure and support companies, creating a network that connects research, manufacturing, and launch capabilities.
9. Developing advanced telecommunications and Earth observation satellites
The UK is investing heavily in satellite communications through programmes like the Connectivity in Low-Earth Orbit Programme, which provides up to £160 million over four years to develop innovative satellite communications technology.
The UK is also deeply involved in Earth observation through ESA partnerships, with a dedicated Earth Observation Climate Office developing capabilities for monitoring climate change, environmental issues, and disasters. The UK’s ECSAT facility hosts over 100 jobs in telecommunications and integrated applications, with emphasis on developing new markets for satellite-based services. These satellites provide crucial data for everything from weather forecasting to disaster relief.
10. Attempting to position Britain as Europe’s leader in small satellite launch
The National Space Strategy aims to make the UK “the best place in Europe to launch satellites” and establish Britain as a leader in commercial small satellite launch by 2030. The strategy specifically targets the growing market for small satellites, which are cheaper to build and launch but provide enormous capabilities for communications, Earth observation, and scientific research.
With multiple spaceports under development, British rocket companies preparing to launch, and Glasgow’s satellite manufacturing strength, the UK is building an integrated ecosystem where satellites can be designed, built, and launched entirely within Britain. If successful, this could capture a significant share of the global small satellite market, estimated to be worth billions.