UK Space Agency and Axiom Space sign historic partnership for space exploration

Lion Herald Newsletter | Issue #4 -Wednesday October 25, 2023 | Lincoln, UK

October 25, 2023

Hey there! Welcome to the Lion Herald Newsletter. We're all about tech and innovation – the cool stuff! Whether you're an entrepreneur, forward-thinking business leader, change-maker or just curious, the content of this newsletter aim to spark your ideas, and inspiration to transform innovative concepts into practical solutions for your community.

Dear Lion Herald Reader,

This Wednesday, the UK Space Agency announced that it has entered into a historic agreement with the US space technology startup Axiom Space, charting an ambitious course for British astronauts to embark on commercially sponsored missions. This landmark initiative, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), ushers in a new era of space exploration for the United Kingdom.

Axiom Space, based in Houston, holds a unique position in the commercial space industry, as it is the sole company with the privilege of connecting its modules to the International Space Station (ISS). This strategic connection empowers Axiom Space to extend its services seamlessly to the multinational user base of the ISS National Laboratory, ensuring that research and manufacturing initiatives can continue uninterrupted.

The construction of Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station, is well underway, with the recent completion of preliminary and critical design reviews in collaboration with NASA. Thales Alenia Space, the project's partners, have commenced welding and machining activities for the primary structures of Axiom Station's first module. This remarkable endeavor is preparing for a 2026 launch, marking the beginning of a new chapter in low-Earth orbit operations.

Axiom Station, with its development in full swing, will serve as a hub for a wide range of activities, including hosting astronauts, facilitating cutting-edge research, and advancing manufacturing processes. What sets it apart is the unique microgravity environment it offers, enabling development for numerous industries by harnessing the benefits of this extraordinary setting.

The station is also poised to support the growing infrastructure and solutions operating in space, providing a versatile platform for private companies and national governments to pursue groundbreaking innovations in research and development.

The UK Space Agency has extended an invitation to UK universities, research institutions, and industry organizations to share their ideas for experiments and technology demonstrations to be conducted during the mission. Additionally, the agency is exploring the possibility of a national space education and public engagement program to inspire future generations and highlight the array of rewarding careers available in the space sector.

This mission aligns with the broader UK Space Agency's vision, which includes a multimillion-pound program, "Unlocking Space for Business," aimed at fostering the growth and innovation of UK businesses by leveraging space data and services.

The return of British astronaut Tim Peake is another exciting development on the horizon. Peake led a team of UK astronauts on an independent space mission, a historic endeavor facilitated by the UK Space Agency in collaboration with Axiom Space and the European Space Agency (ESA). This mission dispatched British astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), where they conducted experiments, promoted educational activities, and inspired future generations.

Peake's return to space and the partnership between the UK Space Agency and Axiom Space exemplify the UK's expanding role in the global commercial space industry. These initiatives not only advanced the frontiers of space exploration but also served as an inspiration for the next generation to reach for the stars and embrace the vast potential of space technology.

Space for Everyone Tour: Inspiring the Next Generation

The UK Space Agency's "Space for Everyone" tour left a significant impact, having reached over 160,000 young people during its journey across the UK. This remarkable STEAM tour, featuring a 72-foot replica rocket and interactive exhibits, aimed to inspire the next generation of space professionals.

The tour emphasized the pivotal role of space technology in improving life on Earth and showcased the diverse career opportunities in the space sector. The UK Space Agency's commitment to education and outreach was evident as the tour welcomed not only individual participants but also 130 school, youth, and community organizations. These special tours enriched the educational experiences and knowledge of the UK's spaceflight sector.

Thanks for Reading

Fabrice Iranzi, Lion Herald

Tech Headlines Today

Tandem, the Blackpool-based challenger bank, has opened a London office, underscoring its confidence in the city's finance and fintech sector. Situated in Bloomsbury Way, the new office will serve as the operational hub for Tandem's marketing, treasury, risk, and strategy teams. Tandem's CEO, Alex Mollart, views this move as a milestone following a year of robust growth and achieving its first-ever underlying profit. The bank, committed to green finance, sees London as a crucial location, emphasizing its role in supporting the broader UK fintech landscape. Tandem's sustainable banking services, including investments and loans for clean energy transition projects, have contributed to its recent financial success, with a rare operating profit of £4.5 million in June, further bolstered by a £20 million investment from Quilam Capital in July.

Sheffield Hallam University's Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre is launching a pioneering medtech and digital health accelerator program offering early-stage startups access to resources, non-dilutive R&D capital of up to £25,000, and facilities for testing and product development. This initiative, a collaboration with Barclays Eagle Labs and supported by the Government's Digital Growth Grant, will be based at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The program, in its third year, has already supported 40 medtech SMEs, and applications are now open for up to 12 more companies worldwide. It offers mentoring, NHS adoption guidance, compliance assessments, and a Demo Day for securing follow-on funding. The AWRC aims to promote physical activity, accelerate company growth, secure investment, and drive commercial success, contributing to Sheffield's status as a digital health tech hub.

Thanks for joining us in this edition of the Lion Herald Newsletter. We hope you've found inspiration and valuable insights to fuel your tech and innovation journey. Remember, every idea counts, and together, we can turn them into real-world solutions. Stay curious, stay innovative, and stay tuned for more exciting stories in our next issue!

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