The UK Space Agency and Axiom Space have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could see UK astronauts fly on future missions.
The astronauts would spend up to two weeks on orbit to carry out scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and participate in education and outreach activities.
The mission would build on the UK government’s National Space Strategy and the UK Science and Technology Framework, which highlights the important contribution of international relationships to the UK’s capabilities.
Commenting on the MOU, George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said, “The prospect of a historic UK mission with Axiom Space has the potential to inspire a whole new generation to reach for the stars, while supporting our efforts to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world, so I look forward to seeing the next stage of this exploratory work develop.
“We want to put the UK at the forefront of the global race for commercial space investment, continue to support scientists and engineers to test new technologies and carry out important research and, ultimately, bring the benefits back to people and businesses across the country.”
Mission ideas
The UK Space Agency is calling on UK universities, research institutions and industry to share their ideas for experiments and technology demonstrators which could be conducted by the crew on orbit over a two-week period.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, commented, “This agreement paves the way for UK astronauts to conduct scientific research in orbit, and to inspire millions of us here on Earth. It takes thousands of people to complete a crewed space mission and return the astronauts safely home, highlighting the huge variety of careers available in the UK space sector right now.
“There is much to do, and this agreement is the springboard for the UK Space Agency, Axiom Space and the mission sponsors to assess how we best push forward the frontiers of knowledge and innovation, and showcase the power of space to improve lives on Earth.”
Axiom Space is the commercial space industry’s only full-service orbital mission provider, conducting end-to-end crewed missions to the International Space Station.
Image: Tejpaul Bhatia, chief revenue officer at Axiom Space (left) and Dr Paul Bate, chief executive officer at the UK Space Agency (Credit: UK Space Agency)
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