UK Space Agency opens £42m LEO satellite grant call

UK Space Agency this week opened a £42 million grant call for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications technologies in the UK.

TL;DR

• The UK Space Agency launched a £42 million funding call focused on LEO satellite communications.
• The programme is managed through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
• Eligible projects target optical links, active antennas, regenerative processing, and advanced user terminals.
• Individual grants will range from £4 million to £25 million and require matched industry funding.
• The first stage of applications closes on 7 September 2026, with final decisions due by December 2026.

The UK Space Agency said the £42 million call is intended to support innovation in satellite communications and strengthen the UK's role as a supplier to global low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations. LEO refers to satellites operating in low Earth orbit, typically closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites.

The third call is managed through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It targets high-volume constellation technologies including optical links, active antennas, regenerative processing, and advanced user terminals.

The UK Space Agency said it expects to award between £4 million and £25 million per project. Applicants must provide matched industry funding to qualify. The first stage of applications closes on 7 September 2026, and the agency expects to notify final outcomes by December 2026.

Related questions

• What technologies are eligible under the UK Space Agency's third LEO grant call?
• How much funding is available per project in the UK Space Agency programme?
• When is the application deadline for the UK LEO satellite innovation grant call?