Southampton secures UK Space Agency Funding to advance space sustainability

The University of Southampton has been awarded significant funding through the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), reinforcing its position as a national leader in space sustainability and innovation.

The total awarded value from UK Space Agency is £813k, and the total project value is £1.286M, which includes match funding from the University and its project partner, the plasma aerodynamics company, Cranfield Plasma Solutions.

This investment will drive the development of an advanced plasma torch system, a cutting-edge technology designed to enable realistic re-entry testing in the UK. Such testing is essential for understanding how spacecraft behave during atmospheric re-entry, helping to ensure safer and more environmentally responsible disposal of satellites and other space hardware.

Professor Minkwan Kim from the School of Physics and Astronomy, who leads the research project commented:
“Securing this funding from the UK Space Agency NSIP programme marks a significant achievement that strengthens the University’s position as a national leader in space sustainability. The development of our advanced plasma torch system represents a critical step toward enabling realistic re-entry testing in the UK and supports our long-term commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible space operations.”

The NSIP initiative is part of the UK Space Agency’s broader strategy to foster innovation and maintain the UK’s competitive edge in the global space sector. By supporting projects like this, the programme aims to accelerate technologies that address key challenges such as orbital debris and sustainable mission design.