Mission

Autonomous &
Connected Earth

Our mission is to accelerate development and adoption of essential technologies that enable universal connectivity and space-enabled autonomy.

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Mission overview

In a world where connectivity underpins so much of what we expect and take for granted in everyday life, seamless, reliable, ubiquitous connection is essential. Economic growth too, relies on resilient connectivity being available across the UK and globally. Satellite and terrestrial network integration is essential to bridge connectivity gaps, as well as strengthen UK national infrastructure and digital ecosystems.

In the last decade, the UK has seen increasing interest and investment in autonomous systems for drones, cars, and unmanned aircrafts. Safe deployment of autonomous systems could mean better access to healthcare for remote areas, safer operations support, and linear infrastructure monitoring. However, this cannot be achieved without advances in Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), better regulation and clear pathways for safe adoption of autonomous systems, and universal connectivity.

One of the goals of our Autonomous and Connected Earth (ACE) Mission is to ensure that space technology supports the safe adoption of autonomous systems across key sectors, of which resilient PNT and reliable, seamless, and universal connectivity is an essential component.

Our work will support the UK to become a leader in satellite-terrestrial network integration and digital inclusion by 2035 and advance the adoption of autonomous systems across multiple key sectors.

Interoperability Challenges

Between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, as well as between autonomous systems.

PNT Limitations

Limits in existing position, navigation, and timing systems (like the Global Navigation Satellite System) which lack the required accuracy and reliability to safely use autonomous systems.

Barriers to Adoption

Such as access for comms on the move, e.g., on trains.

Regulatory Challenges

Lack of clear standards and accreditation routes, which limits scalability and hinders industry confidence.

In-Orbit Limitations

Limitations in bandwidth and limited orbital resources.

The Universal Connectivity intervention addresses the critical challenges of digital inclusion and resilient, future-ready communication systems. It is built around three workstreams targeting specific aspects of connectivity innovation:

Integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
Novel architecture and technologies
Service accessibility and capability: creating smarter and more capable systems for better data

Drone Test and Development Centre

Antenna and RF Testing

Future Networks Development Centre

Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing

The Demand

Economic growth increasingly depends on reliable connectivity for critical infrastructure and systems on the move, alongside the safe deployment of autonomous systems. These requirements are converging into a single market need, which the Autonomous and Connected Earth Mission plans to answer. Through this mission we will help the space sector address these barriers, develop and commercialise solutions, and unlock connectivity and autonomy, leading to growth of the UK economy.

The drivers for this demand are:

Demand signals for autonomous systems adoption
Regulatory reform momentum
Large-scale constellations, ground-based infrastructure and terminals
Critical national infrastructure

£85BN Global ACE market

£4BN UK Serviceable Obtainable Market (Satcom, PNT, Test & Evaluation)

£4.5BN pledged to support the adoption and fielding of autonomous systems

Research to Real-World

The ACE Mission provides essential space and expertise to test new technologies and equipment, ensuring they meet regulations and can proceed to commercialisation.

Collaborate with research and industry partners, across the supply chain and the Catapult Network for innovative CR&D
Provide early integration pathways for new space-enabled technologies in live network environments
Expand facilities for added testing and evaluation capability, and partner with key stakeholders to develop digital-twin and simulation environments for design and verification

Case Study Successful Independent Flight Termination System Testing

Scale-up

ACE can support businesses to grow and commercialise their products, customising our approach based on their needs and where they are in their growth journey.

Develop value propositions and validate business models to create competitive products in new markets
Support de-risking of technologies and develop demonstrators and proof-of-concepts
Support strategy development in line with the UK landscape, and co-ordinate relationships with government for procurement and co-financing

Case Study Driving Innovation in Delivery: Imperial’s Collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult

Market Opportunity

By directly targeting market requirements and working with end-users and policy makers, the Mission will ensure UK capabilities meet the needs of the growing ACE market.

Deliver challenge-led accelerators to address market requirements
Connect actors across supply chain, between SMEs and Primes, and with government
Develop adoption pathways in collaboration with customers and regulators

Enabling Ecosystem

With the rapidly developing technologies, the ACE Mission is protecting the future by identifying skills gaps and actively participating in the conversations regarding policy and regulation.

Facilitate UK partnership in shaping international standards, regulations, and spectrum sharing trials
Identify skills gaps and workforce requirements to support PNT and network convergence needs
Advise key stakeholders on roadmaps, supply chain strategy, policy, regulations, licences, and standards

Resource Satellite Applications Catapult and WholeShip Announce Strategic Collaboration