UK-Beyond Earth Network Launches to Drive the Adoption of In-Space Logistics, Services and Manufacturing
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This month marks the launch of the UK-Beyond Earth Network (UK-BEN) – the fourth Connected Capability Network (CCN) funded by the Satellite Applications Catapult to strengthen collaboration across the UK Space Ecosystem. The CCNs are designed to connect communities across the UK space clusters, supporting the translation of research and development into commercial opportunities, and establishing links to adjacent sectors.
Launched at the In Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Conference 2025, UK-BEN aligns with the Catapult’s Beyond Earth Mission, aiming to develop the UK’s participation in the in-space economy by strengthening networks and catalysing activity around in-space manufacturing and R&D, with a focus on life sciences and advanced materials, as well as in-space logistics and services, particularly on technology development and adoption.
By connecting and engaging UK space clusters, adjacent sectors, and research communities across the UK, this CCN will play a critical role in accelerating growth and innovation for In-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM). The Beyond Earth Network will be led by the North West Space Cluster and supported by Harwell Space Cluster, Space Wales, Space East, Hertfordshire Futures, and Westcott Space Cluster.
Click here to join the Beyond Earth Network group on the Space Enterprise Community.
By bringing together academia, industry, and regional clusters, UK-BEN creates a shared platform to accelerate innovation, reduce duplication, and address one of the key challenges facing the UK today: fragmentation of capability and effort across regions and sectors. The immediate focus for UK-BEN will be to map relevant national capabilities, both in space and adjacent sectors, and start engaging with these communities through events and workshops, with the ultimate aim of identifying and coordinating early collaborative projects that demonstrate the UK’s readiness to deliver R&D and servicing in orbit.
Alan Cross, North West Space Cluster Manager at STFC-UKRI commented:
“UKRI-STFC is proud to lead UK-BEN, a significant milestone aligned with our Cluster Strategy to catalyse UK innovation through regional strength and national coordination. This initiative builds on the momentum of our recent ISAM Pump Priming Call, which fosters early-stage projects in future-facing capabilities essential to the UK’s global leadership in space technologies. With the combined convening power of the North West Space Cluster, Harwell Space Cluster, Space Wales, Space East, Westcott Space Cluster, and Hertfordshire Futures, this network exemplifies the UKs commitment to connect capability, unlock collaboration, and accelerate the commercialisation of cutting-edge in-space applications.”
Dr Phil Carvil, Head of North West Clusters:
“Thriving clusters help drive economic growth and prosperity. By establishing cross-cluster networks we further drive the growth agenda, by brokering partnerships and fostering collaborations between local space ecosystems and adjacent critical sectors for the UK, including life sciences and defence. We look forward to working with partners across the UK to deliver this initiative.”
What is a Connected Capability Network?
The purpose of the Connected Capability Networks is to amplify the Catapult’s Mission: to innovate for better world, empowered by space. This is delivered by mapping and engaging new partners and capabilities both within and outside the space sector, bringing together expertise to drive forward innovation and finding new ways to work as a community and exploring collaborative opportunities. CCNs have been created by the Satellite Applications Catapult which has been instrumental in fostering growth within the UK Space Ecosystem since its inception in 2013. The CCNs are coordinated by space clusters from across the UK and their partners working towards a common goal.
The Beyond Earth CCN follows the successful launches of previous networks: the UK Earth Observation Network for Sustainability (UK-EONS) in late 2023, which emphasises the use of Earth Observation technology to address sustainability challenges; the UK-Autonomous and Connected Earth (UK-ACE) in March 2024, bringing together stakeholders from space and adjacent sectors to foster collaboration in autonomy and connectivity technologies; and the CySpace CCN in September 2024, focusing on enhancing the UK’s Space Domain Awareness with cybersecurity considerations.
By building links between adjacent sectors and Space Clusters, the CCNs will contribute to growth in the UK Space Ecosystem by developing communities to support the delivery of the National Space Strategy. CCNs achieve this by facilitating the translation of research and development into commercial opportunities for the UK space sector and by strengthening community activity throughout the UK.
Nasreen Dhanji, Beyond Earth Mission Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult highlighted:
“We are thrilled to support the formation of this Connected Capability Network, which will be instrumental in forging a truly united UK space ecosystem which supports the growth of ISAM. By bringing together diverse expertise from across the nation, we will accelerate the translation of groundbreaking research into tangible commercial opportunities, propelling the UK to the forefront of the in-space economy. This network will be a catalyst for growth, driving innovation in critical areas like in-orbit manufacturing and life sciences, and solidifying the UK’s position in the global space sector.”
Simone Hartless, Head of Capabilities and Clusters at the Satellite Applications Catapult commented:
“A thriving and connected UK Space Ecosystem ensures that the critical specialities found across the country are used to support the growth of the space sector. We are launching the UK-Beyond Earth Network to bring together industrial and academic expertise to put the UK at the forefront of the in-space manufacturing and in-space logistics and services markets.”
