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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 7h

It's #WSW2025 and the theme this year is “Living in Space". 👩‍🚀👨‍🚀

In 1991, Helen Sharman became Britain’s first astronaut when she launched to the Mir space station as a research cosmonaut. 🚀🇬🇧

Her mission lasted 8 days, during which time she conducted medical and agricultural experiments. 🌍

#WSW2025

Helen Sharman. Credit Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center.

Helen Sharman and Sergei Krikalyov with cosmonauts Viktor Afanasiyev and Musa Manarov onboard Mir.

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 1d

It’s Supermoon Season! 🌕

The first of 3 supermoons of 2025 - the full Harvest Moon - will appear tonight, rising at 6:20 pm BST. 🔭

It will be the largest and brightest full Moon this year.

If you miss this one, don't worry - two more supermoons are coming in November and December. 🌕

#WSW2025

A supermoon rising above trees. Credit: NASA/Bill Dunford

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 2d

It's World Space Week and this year's theme: 'Living in Space'.

We'll be marking #WSW2025 by looking at how astronauts live and work in space, and highlighting the UK's human spaceflight achievements - from Helen Sharman's Mir mission to Tim Peake's flight to the International Space Station. 👩‍🚀👨‍🚀

Helen Sharman and Tim Peake with Road to Stars book. Credit: Stuart Hollis for the UK National Space Centre / ESA

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 7d

The UK Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency have renewed the Space Bridge partnership at #IAC2025. 🤝

The framework builds on the initial Space Bridge established in 2021, designed to strengthen collaboration across both nations’ space sectors.

Read more 👉 space.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/01/u...

UK–Australia Space Bridge strengthens ties at International Astronautical Congress

The UK Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency have renewed their Space Bridge partnership today at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney.

space.blog.gov.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 8d

We’re boosting 23 international projects with £6.5m! 🚀

These collaborations with global partners span cutting-edge areas from lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection - demonstrating the UK's commitment to global partnerships and innovation. 🤝🌍

Read more 👉 gov.uk/government/n...

Sunrise viewed from space over the Earth's horizon.

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Reposted by UK Space Agency

Lord Speaker @lordspeaker.parliament.uk · 20d

✨Inspiring to talk to British Paralympian, surgeon, astronaut (and namesake!) John McFall.

He's set to be the 1st 👨‍🚀 with a physical disability to take part in a long-duration mission to the International Space Station, a landmark for human space exploration 🚀 @ukspaceagency.bsky.social @esa.int 👇

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 9d

The MicroCarb satellite has captured its first view of Earth, marking a major milestone following its July launch. 🛰️ 🌍

The satellite from a UK - @cnes.fr partnership is helping to tackle climate change from space. 🌳🌊

Read more in @nceoscience.bsky.social's blog. 👉 space.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/26/m...

Milestone for MicroCarb: First Earth Observations

On 28 August, the MicroCarb satellite captured its first view of Earth, marking a major milestone following its 25 July launch.

space.blog.gov.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 14d

Fantastic news that @esa.int has chosen WIVERN – Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope – as its next Earth Explorer mission!

Developed in the UK, it will be the first satellite to measure wind inside clouds, helping improve forecasts for storms and flooding globally. 🌧️

Read more 👉 esa.int/Applications...

ESA selects WIVERN as 11th Earth Explorer mission

After meticulous preparation and rigorous evaluation, ESA’s Member States have selected WIVERN to become the 11th Earth Explorer mission to be implemented through the agency’s prestigious FutureEO pro...

esa.int

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 14d

UK tech has launched on NASA IMAP! 🚀

The mission will help to protect satellites and ensure safer human space exploration.

@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social’s MAG instrument, funded by us, will provide crucial data to improve our understanding of space weather. ☀️

👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

UK technology launches into space aboard NASA’s IMAP mission

A British-built instrument has launched today as part of NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission, which will help scientists better understand the protective magnetic bubble ...

www.gov.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 16d

Tomorrow, NASA’s IMAP mission will liftoff from Kennedy Space Center at 12:32 pm BST.🚀

@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social’s MAG instrument, funded by us, will measure the interplanetary magnetic field and identify the waves that scatter particles in the solar wind.☀️

Read more 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

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Reposted by UK Space Agency

Lord Speaker @lordspeaker.parliament.uk · 23d

🚀Delighted to meet my namesake John McFall who's set to be the 1st astronaut with a physical disability to go to the International Space Station on a long-duration mission. We spoke of how microgravity experiments advance science, engineering and medicine @esa.int @ukspaceagency.bsky.social

🧵1/2

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 23d

With £1.5 million of funding from us, 6 innovative projects will use satellite technology and AI to deliver real-world impact across a range of Britain's sectors. 🛰️🚅🌱

We're bringing the benefits of space down to Earth. 🌍🔭

👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 27d

The UK is playing a huge role in the mission, from leading on the science to the design and build of the camera electronics. 📸

Read more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

An artist impression of Plato. Credit: OHB System

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 27d

Plato has arrived!

ESA's planet-hunting spacecraft has safely arrived at ESTEC, where engineers will attach its solar panels and sunshield before running critical tests to ensure everything's ready for launch. 🚀

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 27d

Welcome, Plato! 🤗

On 1 September, the spacecraft arrived in the Netherlands by boat from Germany via the Rhine River.

In the coming weeks, engineers will add the sunshield & solar arrays and carry out tests to confirm Plato is ready for launch 🚀
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

🔭 #Exoplanets

A large cargo ship named VAARWEL, painted in blue and white, is sailing through a canal. The ship has a flag at its front and is passing under an open drawbridge in the background. The canal is lined with trees on both sides, and the sky above is bright blue with scattered white clouds. A few people are visible on the bridge and near the water’s edge. In the foreground, at the bottom right, a small boat with a single person inside floats near the ship.

In a cleanroom environment, two individuals wearing blue lab coats and hairnets are working around a large spacecraft. The spacecraft is covered in protective plastic sheeting and mounted on a white transport platform labelled with technical instructions.

In a cleanroom environment, a group of engineers wearing protective coats, gloves, and face masks are working on a large spacecraft component. The component is mounted on a white wheeled platform. The top of the spacecraft carries 26 cylindrical cameras. The workspace is surrounded by structural supports and white fabric walls, creating a clean and controlled environment.

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · 28d

Big Mars news! 🔴

While more data is required, these findings could represent the most promising evidence yet of ancient life on Mars. 🧬

We supported scientists at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social on the work, putting UK science at the heart of this discovery. 🔭

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Sep 2

UK stargazers, there will be a total lunar eclipse at moonrise this Sunday evening! ☀️ 🌍🌕

The eclipse will begin while the Moon is below the horizon, reaching its maximum 20 minutes before moonrise, meaning we'll catch totality before the Moon exits Earth's shadow. 🔴

👉 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Blood Moon total lunar eclipse: How to see it in the UK

A total lunar eclipse will be visible from the UK on Sunday evening, weather permitting.

www.bbc.co.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Sep 1

Since its launch in 2020, the UK-built Solar Orbiter has performed unprecedented Sun observations, allowing us to better predict solar weather to safeguard the satellites and tech we rely on. 🛰️

Learn more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 gov.uk/government/c...

Artist impression of Solar Orbiter. Credit: Airbus.

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Sep 1

Solar Orbiter's ground-breaking research demonstrates why science is at the heart of space weather forecasting.☀️

Using UK-built instruments to identify solar energetic electron events, we're building the knowledge needed to protect satellites, astronauts and space infrastructure. 🛰️

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · Sep 1

Our #SolarOrbiter has split the flood of energetic electrons flung out into space from the Sun into two groups, tracing each back to a different kind of outburst from our star 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
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Infographic showing how the Solar Orbiter spacecraft traces superfast electrons back to their sources on the Sun. The Sun is depicted on the left, with colored dots representing sources of energetic electrons from solar flares (blue) and coronal mass ejections (red). Curved lines illustrate magnetic field lines along which electrons travel from these events toward the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, shown on the right against a starry background. Text explains that more than 300 bursts of 'Solar Energetic Electrons' were observed between November 2020 and December 2022, allowing scientists to connect electrons detected in space with their origins on the Sun.

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 28

Juice will make observations of Jupiter and its large moons – Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. 🔴🌕🌕🌕

The UK Space Agency has invested £9 million in the science instruments on board. 🛰️

Learn more about the UK's involvement in the mission 👉 www.gov.uk/government/c...

Jupiter icy moon explorer (JUICE)

UK involvement in the mission to make detailed observations of the giant gaseous planet Jupiter and three of its largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.

www.gov.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 28

On Sunday, #ESAJuice will pass its closest point to Venus at 6:28 am BST as it completes the second of four gravity assists. 🌕

The spacecraft will use Venus' gravity to bend its orbit around the Sun and gain speed without using fuel. 🛰️

Read more 👉 esa.int/Enabling_Sup...

🎥: @esa.int

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 27

Do you know someone who’s made a significant contribution to the UK space sector? 🚀

Now is your chance to ensure they are celebrated for their outstanding achievements! 🏆

Nominate them for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 by 9 September 👉 www.gov.uk/kings-awards...

Promotional image stating 'Two weeks to go' for The King's Awards for Enterprise. Features a stylised crown and a looping ribbon graphic. Text encourages to 'Apply now online' with an accompanying cursor icon.

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 22

Read the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2024 report 👉 gov.uk/government/p...

Read the UK Space Agency Annual Report 👉 gov.uk/government/p...

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 22

Following publication of our Annual Report and recent Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2024, see our new factsheet demonstrating the value of space in the UK. 🛰️

Read more 👉
gov.uk/government/p...

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 20

Read more here 👉 www.gov.uk/government/n...

UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape

UK Space Agency to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry.

www.gov.uk

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UK Space Agency @ukspaceagency.bsky.social · Aug 20

Our CEO Paul Bate welcomes the news that the UK Space Agency will become part of DSIT from April 2026. 🤝

This is a major step to boost support for the space sector and deliver for the country, building on firm foundations to drive economic growth and national security. 🚀

UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said:
“I strongly welcome this improved approach to achieving the Government’s space ambitions. Having a single unit with a golden thread through strategy, policy and delivery will make it faster and easier to translate the nation’s space goals into reality.
“In coming together, the UK Space Agency and space policy colleagues are building on the firm foundations of economic growth and capability development laid in recent years, including cutting-edge missions, major national programmes, and the regulations that enable UK launch and leadership in space sustainability.
“We will continue to deliver, while reducing duplication and ensuring we work even more closely with Ministers to support the UK space sector, and the country.”

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