UK Space Agency

A supermoon rising above trees. Credit: NASA/Bill Dunford

It’s Supermoon Season! 🌕

The first of 3 supermoons of 2025 - the full Harvest Moon - will appear tonight, rising at 6:20 pm BST. 🔭

It will be the largest and brightest full Moon this year.

If you miss this one, don't worry - two more supermoons are coming in November and December. 🌕

#WSW2025

Helen Sharman and Tim Peake with Road to Stars book. Credit: Stuart Hollis for the UK National Space Centre / ESA

It's World Space Week and this year's theme: 'Living in Space'.

We'll be marking #WSW2025 by looking at how astronauts live and work in space, and highlighting the UK's human spaceflight achievements - from Helen Sharman's Mir mission to Tim Peake's flight to the International Space Station. 👩‍🚀👨‍🚀

UK–Australia Space Bridge strengthens ties at International Astronautical Congress The UK Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency have renewed their Space Bridge partnership today at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney.

The UK Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency have renewed the Space Bridge partnership at #IAC2025. 🤝

The framework builds on the initial Space Bridge established in 2021, designed to strengthen collaboration across both nations’ space sectors.

Read more 👉 space.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/01/u...

Sunrise viewed from space over the Earth's horizon.

We’re boosting 23 international projects with £6.5m! 🚀

These collaborations with global partners span cutting-edge areas from lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection - demonstrating the UK's commitment to global partnerships and innovation. 🤝🌍

Read more 👉 gov.uk/government/n...

✨Inspiring to talk to British Paralympian, surgeon, astronaut (and namesake!) John McFall.

He's set to be the 1st 👨‍🚀 with a physical disability to take part in a long-duration mission to the International Space Station, a landmark for human space exploration 🚀 @ukspaceagency.bsky.social @esa.int 👇

Milestone for MicroCarb: First Earth Observations On 28 August, the MicroCarb satellite captured its first view of Earth, marking a major milestone following its 25 July launch.

The MicroCarb satellite has captured its first view of Earth, marking a major milestone following its July launch. 🛰️ 🌍

The satellite from a UK - @cnes.fr partnership is helping to tackle climate change from space. 🌳🌊

Read more in @nceoscience.bsky.social's blog. 👉 space.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/26/m...

ESA selects WIVERN as 11th Earth Explorer mission After meticulous preparation and rigorous evaluation, ESA’s Member States have selected WIVERN to become the 11th Earth Explorer mission to be implemented through the agency’s prestigious FutureEO pro...

Fantastic news that @esa.int has chosen WIVERN – Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope – as its next Earth Explorer mission!

Developed in the UK, it will be the first satellite to measure wind inside clouds, helping improve forecasts for storms and flooding globally. 🌧️

Read more 👉 esa.int/Applications...

UK technology launches into space aboard NASA’s IMAP mission A British-built instrument has launched today as part of NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which will help scientists better understand the protective magnetic bubble ...

UK tech has launched on NASA IMAP! 🚀

The mission will help to protect satellites and ensure safer human space exploration.

@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social’s MAG instrument, funded by us, will provide crucial data to improve our understanding of space weather. ☀️

👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

Tomorrow, NASA’s IMAP mission will liftoff from Kennedy Space Center at 12:32 pm BST.🚀

@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social’s MAG instrument, funded by us, will measure the interplanetary magnetic field and identify the waves that scatter particles in the solar wind.☀️

Read more 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

🚀Delighted to meet my namesake John McFall who's set to be the 1st astronaut with a physical disability to go to the International Space Station on a long-duration mission. We spoke of how microgravity experiments advance science, engineering and medicine @esa.int @ukspaceagency.bsky.social

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With £1.5 million of funding from us, 6 innovative projects will use satellite technology and AI to deliver real-world impact across a range of Britain's sectors. 🛰️🚅🌱

We're bringing the benefits of space down to Earth. 🌍🔭

👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

An artist impression of Plato. Credit: OHB System

The UK is playing a huge role in the mission, from leading on the science to the design and build of the camera electronics. 📸

Read more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

Plato has arrived!

ESA's planet-hunting spacecraft has safely arrived at ESTEC, where engineers will attach its solar panels and sunshield before running critical tests to ensure everything's ready for launch. 🚀

Big Mars news! 🔴

While more data is required, these findings could represent the most promising evidence yet of ancient life on Mars. 🧬

We supported scientists at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social on the work, putting UK science at the heart of this discovery. 🔭

Blood Moon total lunar eclipse: How to see it in the UK A total lunar eclipse will be visible from the UK on Sunday evening, weather permitting.

UK stargazers, there will be a total lunar eclipse at moonrise this Sunday evening! ☀️ 🌍🌕

The eclipse will begin while the Moon is below the horizon, reaching its maximum 20 minutes before moonrise, meaning we'll catch totality before the Moon exits Earth's shadow. 🔴

👉 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Artist impression of Solar Orbiter. Credit: Airbus.

Since its launch in 2020, the UK-built Solar Orbiter has performed unprecedented Sun observations, allowing us to better predict solar weather to safeguard the satellites and tech we rely on. 🛰️

Learn more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

Solar Orbiter's ground-breaking research demonstrates why science is at the heart of space weather forecasting.☀️

Using UK-built instruments to identify solar energetic electron events, we're building the knowledge needed to protect satellites, astronauts and space infrastructure. 🛰️

Jupiter icy moon explorer (JUICE) UK involvement in the mission to make detailed observations of the giant gaseous planet Jupiter and three of its largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

Juice will make observations of Jupiter and its large moons – Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. 🔴🌕🌕🌕

The UK Space Agency has invested £9 million in the science instruments on board. 🛰️

Learn more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 www.gov.uk/government/c...

On Sunday, #ESAJuice will pass its closest point to Venus at 6:28 am BST as it completes the second of four gravity assists. 🌕

The spacecraft will use Venus' gravity to bend its orbit around the Sun and gain speed without using fuel. 🛰️

Read more 👉 esa.int/Enabling_Sup...

🎥: @esa.int

Promotional image stating 'Two weeks to go' for The King's Awards for Enterprise. Features a stylised crown and a looping ribbon graphic. Text encourages to 'Apply now online' with an accompanying cursor icon.

Do you know someone who’s made a significant contribution to the UK space sector? 🚀

Now is your chance to ensure they are celebrated for their outstanding achievements! 🏆

Nominate them for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 by 9 September 👉 www.gov.uk/kings-awards...

The UK under aurora. Credit: ESA/NASA

Read the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2024 report 👉 gov.uk/government/p...

Read the UK Space Agency Annual Report 👉 gov.uk/government/p...

Infographic about the UK Space Sector, detailing its economic impact, employment statistics, and various activities such as exploration, observation, and telecommunications. It includes figures like a £16.6 billion income generated and over 55,550 people employed. Also shown is a map of the UK highlighting spaceport locations. The infographic is branded with the UK Space Agency logo.

Following publication of our Annual Report and recent Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2024, see our new factsheet demonstrating the value of space in the UK. 🛰️

Read more 👉
gov.uk/government/p...

UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape UK Space Agency to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry.

Read more here 👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said: “I strongly welcome this improved approach to achieving the Government’s space ambitions. Having a single unit with a golden thread through strategy, policy and delivery will make it faster and easier to translate the nation’s space goals into reality. “In coming together, the UK Space Agency and space policy colleagues are building on the firm foundations of economic growth and capability development laid in recent years, including cutting-edge missions, major national programmes, and the regulations that enable UK launch and leadership in space sustainability. “We will continue to deliver, while reducing duplication and ensuring we work even more closely with Ministers to support the UK space sector, and the country.”

Our CEO Paul Bate welcomes the news that the UK Space Agency will become part of DSIT from April 2026. 🤝

This is a major step to boost support for the space sector and deliver for the country, building on firm foundations to drive economic growth and national security. 🚀

BONUS - What Shape is Space? Podcast Episode · The Supermassive Podcast · 08/12/2025 · 19m

Ever wondered about the shape of space? 🌌

Join Izzie Clarke & @robertmassey.bsky.social as they tackle listener questions in the latest Supermassive Podcast. ✨

Plus, UK @esa.int astronaut Rosemary Coogan shares her journey from astrophysicist to astronaut! 👩‍🚀

🎧: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

🚀Rocket launch alert!

Europe’s first MetOp Second Generation, MetOp-SG-A1, weather satellite - which hosts Copernicus Sentinel-5 as part of its instrument package - is set to launch tomorrow morning at 1:37am BST. 🛰️

Grab a coffee and watch the launch live 👇

Watch: MetOp-SG-A1 and Sentinel-5 launch Europe’s first MetOp Second Generation, MetOp-SG-A1, weather satellite – which hosts Copernicus Sentinel-5 as part of its instrument package – is set for liftoff on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Sp...

📺 Watch live on 13 August at 01:37 BST/02:37 CEST as MetOp-SG-A1 and #Copernicus #Sentinel5A are launched on Ariane 6 flight #VA264 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana!

UK Astronaut, ESA DG and the Forge Awakens Plus, the inside story on a jet pack used by a NASA astronaut...

Recorded at the #UKSC2025, Space Boffins chat with UK
@esa.int astronaut Rosemary Coogan on life at ESA and waiting for her first mission.👩‍🚀

Plus, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher discusses Europe's space ambitions & Space Forge gives an update on ForgeStar®-1.

🎧: www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/ast...

Space Scotland Appoints New CEO as Country Prepares for Orbital Launch - Space Scotland Edinburgh, 6 August 2025 – An industry-led body that represents Scotland’s fast-growing space sector has appointed Dr Natasha Nicholson as its new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive and h...

Congratulations to Dr Natasha Nicholson, who has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Space Scotland!

We look forward to working together to capitalise on the opportunities ahead for Scotland’s thriving space sector. 🚀🛰️

Read more 👉 spacescotland.org/space-scotla...

UK Space Frontiers 2035:  a strategic vision for the future of UK space science The Frontiers programme, led by the UK Space Agency’s Chief Scientist Professor Adam Amara, sets out to define the UK’s long-term vision for space science, positioning the nation as a global leader in...

The UK Space Agency, in partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council, has launched UK Space Frontiers 2035. 🚀

Led by our Chief Scientist Prof Adam Amara, the programme will define the UK's long-term vision for space science. 🌌

Read more 👉 space.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/06/u...