T-Minus Space Daily: UKSA Announces £17M in New Funding for Space Innovation

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Alice Carruth (N2K Networks)

Episode Overview

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily centers on the announcement by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) of £17 million in new funding to advance space sector innovation in the United Kingdom. The news ties into broader discussions about the UK's growing space industry, recent funding efforts in both the US and Europe, and the latest updates in space operations, regulation, and security. The episode also touches on a cyber-related automotive malfunction in Russia, illustrating the real-world intersection of space-based technologies and everyday life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. UKSA’s £17 Million Funding Announcement

[02:20–04:45]

• National Space Innovation Program Investment:
  The UK Space Agency is allocating £17 million to 17 projects to accelerate breakthrough technologies, commercialization, and reinforce UK leadership in space innovation.

• Five Focus Areas:

  • Space domain awareness
  • In-orbit servicing and manufacturing
  • Earth observation
  • Satellite communications
  • Position, navigation, and timing

• Intended Outcomes:
  Projects aim to enhance climate monitoring, improve connectivity, ensure sustainable satellite operations, and strengthen national security.

• Scottish Sector Boost:
  Scottish universities and partners nationwide will split £3.8 million for secure communications, environmental monitoring, and navigation technologies.

• Regional Space Cluster Funding:

  • £1.1 million earmarked for space clusters in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
  • Space Scotland to receive £350,000 to foster academic, industry, and government partnerships, focusing on Earth observation and in-orbit servicing.

• Enabling Cross-Sector Innovation:
  Some funding targets “non-space companies” to help pivot their technologies into the space sector.

“The investment aims to accelerate breakthrough technologies, boost commercialisation and reinforce the UK's global leadership in space innovation.” — Alice Carruth [03:10]

2. US Updates: NASA Leadership Nominee and Nuclear Energy Startup

[04:45–06:12]

• NASA Leadership Hearing:
  Jared Isaacman (billionaire private astronaut) appeared before Congress as the nominee for NASA Administrator.

  • Focus: Expand nuclear propulsion investment and ensure US returns to the Moon before China.
  • Notable quote from testimony (as reported):

    “America will return to the moon before our great rival and we will establish an enduring presence to understand and realize the scientific, economic and national security value on the lunar surface.” — Read by Alice Carruth, paraphrasing Isaacman’s testimony [05:25]

• Antares Nuclear Energy Startup:

  • Raised $96 million in Series B (total $130M since launch two years ago).
  • Funds directed to hardware, subsystem testing, fuel fabrication, and manufacturing for a reactor intended for defense, space, and critical industries.
  • Platform is also intended to scale up to higher power applications.

3. International Developments and Space Security

[06:12–07:48]

• China: Landspace Rocket Test Failure:

  • Landspace’s Juchui A3 maiden reusable rocket test failed to complete a controlled landing due to abnormal combustion.
  • The cause under investigation; mirrors challenges faced by new-entrant commercial space players.

• Russia: ITAR Violation Incident:

  • Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev removed from next SpaceX ISS mission for alleged ITAR breaches.
  • Allegations: Photographing SpaceX engines and internal materials, exporting classified data offsite.
  • Importance of strict ITAR compliance for everyone in the global space hardware/software supply chain.

“Don’t be tempted, folks. There’s a reason for having to do the background checks before you go into facilities and the reason behind them banning for photos inside them.” — Alice Carruth [07:47]

4. The Human Angle: Space Dependency Hits the Road

[10:43–12:01]

• Porsche Outage in Russia:
  • Hundreds of Porsche owners in Russia found their cars disabled due to a factory-installed satellite security system losing connectivity.
  • Outage coincided with ongoing geopolitical tension and Porsche’s restricted operations in Russia.
  • Some drivers managed temporary fixes via battery resets; speculation about “deliberate interference” unconfirmed.

“Hundreds of Porsche owners across Russia found their high performance machines reduced to very expensive lawn ornaments last week as a factory installed satellite security system abruptly stopped talking to the cars it was meant to protect.”
— Dave Bittner [11:01]

• Takeaway:
  The incident underscores the everyday dependencies on space-based infrastructure and the intersection between geopolitical issues and consumer tech.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On UK’s momentum in space:

  “Congrats to all. I may be a wee bit biased, but it's great to see the UK starting to flex its space abilities.”
  — Alice Carruth [04:34]

• On enforcement of export controls:

  “And here’s a cautionary tale for all of you dealing with ITAR. I guess that’s pretty much everyone working with space hardware and software.”
  — Alice Carruth [07:15]

• On satellite-linked vehicle vulnerabilities:

  “So be sure that when you buy a high end vehicle that your nation doesn't fall out of favor with the manufacturer. You wouldn't want to lose the ability to drive said vehicle because of space connection issues, would you?”
  — Alice Carruth [12:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• UK Space Agency funding overview: [02:20–04:45]
• NASA nominee & Antares funding: [04:45–06:12]
• Landspace rocket failure: [06:12–06:46]
• ITAR and cosmonaut incident: [06:47–07:48]
• Porsche satellite security fiasco: [10:43–12:01]

Additional Notes

• Regular listeners are reminded of Q&A and expert segments on law, cybersecurity, policy, and innovation—submissions welcomed [08:11–09:15].
• The host briefly notes her co-host Maria Varmazes is away covering a NATO cyber exercise in Estonia and will return next episode.

Summary:
This episode showcases how global space investments, regulatory compliance, technology cross-pollination, and even luxury automobiles are all redefined by developments in space. The UK’s robust funding commitment, the US focus on lunar leadership, and both regulatory missteps and cyber disruptions reveal that the space industry is not only powering critical infrastructure but is also outright transforming daily life for businesses and consumers alike.