Satellite Gateway Services Programme

UKSA has an objective to grow the UK ground segment market to act as a resilient capability to support civil and defence applications. The number of in-situational and commercial missions is continuing to increase over the next few years with the capacity of existing institutional systems not being able to meet demand. The UK Space Agency supports the use of commercial providers to support institutional services.

UKSA invests in a wide range of space programmes through the European Space Agency, bilaterally with key partners such as NASA, JAXA and the CSA, and nationally within the UK. To support these investments and maximise return to the UK across the value chain, a healthy UK-based commercial ground segment is a requirement, particularly for the emerging Low-Earth Orbit economy.

In supporting LEO activities, the Satellite Gateway Services (SGS) programme will align itself with the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, which uses grant funding and ESA contract funding to support the UK supply chain to access new and emerging opportunities in global connectivity markets in LEO satellite communications.

The SGS programme intends to support the commercial development of the UK ground segment market by procuring services from UK-based commercial organisations and acting as an anchor customer. This will allow UK entities to be well-placed to showcase their expertise with government customers and use this to maximise additional revenue opportunities.

UKSA intends to award up to 3 contracts of £100,000 within this programme, though this Request for Information exercise is intended to inform this and these values may therefore be subject to change. Contract durations are indicative and subject to change.