United Kingdom: The UK will build and fund a new satellite that will help scientists monitor climate change and natural disasters.
The country is set to join Portugal and Spain in the Atlantic Constellation project, working on a cluster of satellites aimed at Earth monitoring.
The UK Space Agency is contributing $3.7 million for a brand-new pioneer satellite in partnership with Open Cosmos, based at the Harwell Space Campus in Oxfordshire.
This satellite aims to deliver essential, frequently updated information about the planet. Additionally, it will assist in identifying, observing, and mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
Mr. Andrew Griffith, UK minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, stated that,”Earth observation will play an absolutely vital role in tackling global challenges like climate change and disaster relief, providing the data we need at speed, while supporting key UK industries like agriculture and energy.”
“By working with Open Cosmos on a new satellite and supporting our Atlantic partners, Spain and Portugal, we can harness space tech for our shared goals, while creating new skills opportunities and jobs for the future to grow the UK economy,” Mr. Griffith added.
The announcement arrives as the UK Space Conference kicks off in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Earlier in the year, the UK Space Agency forged an agreement with Axiom Space, a company from Texas. Axiom is pioneering what they claim will be the world’s inaugural commercial space station.
In an upcoming mission, British astronauts are set to spend around two weeks in orbit. During this time, they’ll conduct scientific experiments and engage in educational endeavors.
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