Better WiFi on remote trains and access to cutting edge tech for British farmers through £13m boost to drive next-gen satellite communications
More reliable broadband on remote Scottish railways and affordable sensors which help farmers grow more food are among a raft of new projects which will bring the benefits of space technology into everyday life.
The UK Space Agency is funding 16 projects through a £13m government investment, supporting the companies and workers developing the satellite communications systems the UK will depend on for decades to come.
Satellites are the backbone of modern life, powering the navigation apps we rely on, the weather forecasts that keep us safe from storms and extreme heat, and the broadband connections that keep friends and family in touch.
Among the projects receiving support, CGI’s SODOR will trial satellite broadband on ScotRail’s West Highland Line, one of Scotland’s most scenic but remote routes. This will bring reliable connectivity to passengers and commuters in areas where traditional mobile networks struggle to reach. This trial will support the government’s wider work to introduce satellite connectivity on all mainland trains – improving availability and connection speeds for passengers across the country.
In agriculture, Farmer Charlie’s GAUFF project is developing affordable satellite-enabled sensors that will give farmers real-time data on their land and crops. That will help deliver better harvests and reduce waste through smarter, more targeted farming, with the technology expected to be available by the end of next summer.
Space minister Liz Lloyd said: “This investment shows how innovations in the UK’s satellite sector can improve lives, with better connectivity delivering internet access for more train journeys, and smarter farming.
“By backing brilliant British companies, we are not only furthering our status as one of the world’s leading space powers, but creating high-quality jobs and new opportunities across the UK.”
Betty Bonnardel MBE, CEO of Farmer Charlie said: “We are delighted to receive the support of the UK Space Agency, through the European Agency, as it helps Farmer Charlie bring the benefits of precision agriculture to farmers across the UK.
“By combining affordable sensors with satellite connectivity, we are making it easier for growers to make informed decisions, improve productivity and farm more sustainably anywhere in the UK.”
The 16 projects will be delivered as part of the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, backed by £13m in UK government funding.
The space sector is one of our strongest drivers of growth and opportunity – employing more than 55,000 people and bringing £18.6bn into the economy every year. This investment will take UK space to the next frontier – backing the innovators developing the faster, smarter and more secure satellite systems which will keep us safe and our economy moving.
Other projects winning backing today include Exobotics Ltd’s STARS project, which will develop ultra-fast satellite communications technology. This will deliver the first satellites in a planned network designed to relay data between satellites and the ground much more quickly.
Further projects will also improve the UK’s capabilities in deep space and lunar communications, supporting future missions which explore our universe.
These investments will boost the UK’s ability to shape the curve of progress in space technology – backing the companies who will deliver jobs, investment, and opportunities that will support communities across the country for decades to come.