UK Space Agency

UK Space Agency We set the national direction on space. Part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

We provide technical advice on governmentโ€™s space strategy, and guide the UK space sector to deliver governmentโ€™s vision. We design and deliver programmes that implement governmentโ€™s strategy, including as a sponsor of national capabilities and an early-stage investor in space research and development. We promote the UK space sectorโ€™s interests and achievements, make connections to join up industry and academia, and represent the UK in international space programmes.

03/06/2026

The UK government has signed an agreement with Vast that could send UK astronaut John McFall to Haven-1 space station as early as 2027. ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธHear from John and Vast's Vice President, Private Crew Recruitment, Tom Shelley.

02/06/2026

Big news! ๐Ÿš€

The UK government has signed an agreement with US space company Vast that could send UK astronaut and former Paralympian John McFall to space as early as July 2027. ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿš€

If the mission goes ahead, John would become the first person with a physical disability to reach orbit, where heโ€™ll conduct ground-breaking research into human physiology, prosthetics in microgravity, and movement onboard Vastโ€™s Haven-1 โ€“ the worldโ€™s first commercial space station. ๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ

Last year, John became the first astronaut with a physical disability to be medically cleared for a long-duration mission.

Read more - link in the comments. ๐Ÿ‘‡

This Sunday we'll see a second full Moon in our night sky this month, also known as a 'Blue Moon'. ๐ŸŒ•But this one's a lit...
30/05/2026

This Sunday we'll see a second full Moon in our night sky this month, also known as a 'Blue Moon'. ๐ŸŒ•

But this one's a little different. It's also a micromoon, which means it'll appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, because the Moon will be near its furthest point from Earth in its orbit.

Congratulations to Meganne Christian and John McFall on completing their reserve astronaut training! ๐Ÿ‘ The ESA - Europea...
29/05/2026

Congratulations to Meganne Christian and John McFall on completing their reserve astronaut training! ๐Ÿ‘

The ESA - European Space Agency Astronaut Reserve Training programme gives reserve astronauts the technical, operational and scientific skills needed to support future human spaceflight opportunities. ๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ“ธ: ESA โ€“ G. Zito

On this day in 1991, Dr Helen Sharman OBE became Britainโ€™s first astronaut when she launched to the Mir space station as...
18/05/2026

On this day in 1991, Dr Helen Sharman OBE became Britainโ€™s first astronaut when she launched to the Mir space station as a research cosmonaut. ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Helen was also:

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿš€ The first Western European woman in space
๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ The first woman to visit the Mir space station

Her mission lasted nearly eight days, during which time she conducted medical and agricultural experiments, and returned to Earth on 26 May. ๐ŸŒ

Image credit: ESA / Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks tonight, which occurs as Earth passes through the material left behind comet C/1861 G1 Tha...
22/04/2026

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks tonight, which occurs as Earth passes through the material left behind comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. โ˜„๏ธ

To get a good view:

๐ŸŒ† Get as far from light as possible
๐Ÿ‘€ Let your eyes adjust to the dark
๐Ÿ•› Spot more meteors after midnight.

๐Ÿ“ข Attention, Edinburgh-based science fans!The Edinburgh Science Festival is in full swing and runs until 19 April. ๐Ÿš€Enjo...
10/04/2026

๐Ÿ“ข Attention, Edinburgh-based science fans!

The Edinburgh Science Festival is in full swing and runs until 19 April. ๐Ÿš€

Enjoy a series of exhibitions, workshops, and talks taking place throughout the city, including An Evening with UK astronaut Helen Sharman.

Learn more ๐Ÿ‘‡

We at Edinburgh Science are an education charity behind the annual Science Festival, making science engaging and accessible for all ages.

History made.The Artemis II crew are heading home after completing their loop around the Moon, travelling further from E...
08/04/2026

History made.

The Artemis II crew are heading home after completing their loop around the Moon, travelling further from Earth than any humans ever have - beating a record of 248,655 miles (400,000km) held since 1970 by the Apollo 13 mission. ๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ ๐ŸŒ”

The first flyby images of the Moon captured by the crew include a rare in-space solar eclipse, and the Earth slowly setting behind the Moon's horizon - a breath-taking mirror image of the iconic Earthrise photo from Apollo 8. ๐ŸŒ

NASA is targeting 11 April for splashdown off the coast of San Diego.

UK companies, scientists and engineers have played important roles in the Artemis programme, while Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall has been tracking the Integrity capsule carrying the astronauts for NASA, with more to come. ๐Ÿ“ก

๐Ÿ“ธ: NASA

Heading to central London this Easter?Check out Our Fragile Space - a free photography exhibition exploring the threat o...
04/04/2026

Heading to central London this Easter?

Check out Our Fragile Space - a free photography exhibition exploring the threat of space debris and the future of our night skies โ€“ now open in Burlington House courtyard, Piccadilly, until 10 May. ๐ŸŒ

Today is the last day to apply for our Skills for Space programme! ๐ŸŽ“Running for 8 weeks this summer, the programme gives...
02/04/2026

Today is the last day to apply for our Skills for Space programme! ๐ŸŽ“

Running for 8 weeks this summer, the programme gives undergraduates and FE students hands-on experience in the UK space sector. ๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ

Learn more and apply before midnight tonight ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://orlo.uk/z0PwQ

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