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As Britain continues to grapple with an ongoing energy crisis, £3million will be injected into a space-based solar power project, which collects the Sun’s energy using solar panels orbiting the Earth. The exciting new initiative could hand the UK a lifeline as it aims to deliver clean energy day and night and would be unaffected by the weather.
The boost could see the UK on the path to becoming a “science superpower”.
It will also see the nation’s reliance on volatile fossil fuels decrease, while reducing the UK’s contributions to climate change.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said it was a “major milestone” for the UK’s National Space Strategy.
He said: “Space-based solar power could provide an affordable, clean and reliable source of energy for the whole world to benefit from, helping the move away from expensive fossil fuels.
“Today’s investment is an exciting example of how we can go even further in our ambitions to make the UK a science superpower.”
Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris has been appointed as the first-ever National Space Champion.
He said: “The UK space sector is fast becoming a world leader and I look forward to being a champion for the industry within government to ensure we are able to spearhead the industry to even further growth.”
Cutting-edge weather monitoring sensors will also be introduced to aid more accurate weather forecasts. The sensors will be put into orbit for the first time, helped by data and analytics company Spire Global.
The Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS), developed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space, will help meteorological agencies and businesses around the world involved with planning, shipping and flood warnings.
It is four times more powerful than the sensors used on existing satellites.
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