Our clients include:
… plus many other commercial and public clients for confidential studies. For our wider R&D, science and innovation-related work beyond the space sector, see our know.consulting website.
Recent studies
In addition to the below we have conducted many more confidential studies for commercial and public clients. Please contact us for further detail on our current and previous work.
Funding opportunities and business support for space in the UK
Satellite Applications Catapult & UK Space Agency, October 2024
Completed as a Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) internship - organised by the Satellite Applications Catapult and funded by the UK Space Agency - this report provides a consolidated snapshot of resources available to UK space entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs.
National Space Innovation Programme: Monitoring, Evaluation and Benefits Management
UK Space Agency, 2024 - ongoing
The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) is the UK Space Agency’s dedicated programme to support the development of innovation in the UK’s space sector. know.space are leading a consortium to support UKSA in monitoring, evaluating and managing the benefits of the programme.
The North Star Metric: Investment Outcomes from UK Space Agency funding
UK Space Agency, May 2024
The UK Space Agency's North Star Metric - the principal metric by which UKSA measures its success - seeks to monitor the value of investment and income UKSA brings into the UK space sector. know.space were commissioned to support in the collation, collection and reporting of North Star Metric data, finding evidence of links between Agency funding and new investment and revenues across all programme areas.
Gaia Interim Impact Evaluation
UK Space Agency, October 2023
Launched in 2013 and expected to operate until 2025, the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission is aiming to construct by far the largest and most precise 3D space catalogue ever made. This evaluation focused on the impact of the UK’s national funding for processing and analysing data from the mission, considering scientific impact as well as impacts on UK competitiveness and reputation, skills and inspiration, and innovation.
Space Sector Skills Survey 2023
UK Space Agency, September 2023
The Space Sector Skills Survey 2023 was commissioned by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to be the primary source of evidence to support the UK Government’s understanding of skills gaps and workforce challenges in the space sector.
The Case for Space
UK Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, July 2023
Our research report capturing the economic value of space, the benefit to the UK of space activities, and the rationale and market failures that underpin government intervention in the space sector. Focuses on how space contributes to the UK, clarifying the end-user benefits that have resulted from successful space investments.
Space Enterprise Investor Launchpad sector reports
Satellite Applications Catapult, June 2023
Supporting inward investment into the UK space sector, know.space developed an online platform and 6 downloadable reports outlining where UK space capabilities lie across the supply chain and how to establish a company within the country. The reports cover: Space Manufacturing, Space Science, Earth & Climate Intelligence, Connectivity & PNT, Spaceflight & Habitation, and Space Sustainability.
Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2022
UK Space Agency, March 2023
The definitive source of information on the UK space sector, covering income, employment, R&D activity, regional analysis, and an assessment of wider UK GDP supported by satellite services.
Impact evaluation of UK investment in ESA
UK Space Agency, October 2022
Commissioned by the UK Space Agency and as part of a Technopolis Group led consortium, know.space worked to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the UK’s investments into the European Space Agency (ESA) at the 2019 ESA Council of Ministers, and evaluate impact of these investments to date.
ESA Technology Transfer Success Stories
European Space Agency, October 2022
know.space completed 13 technology transfer case studies in preparation for the 2022 ESA Council at Ministerial level, to provide strong examples of the use of space outside of the space industry itself, demonstrating benefits in terms of innovation, commercialisation, economic growth, and for European society overall. These include:
Uncovering the secrets of data: spacecraft-grade AI to better inform European SMEs
Landing zone assessment using Lidar: space technology to enable a new class of drones
Space at home: using space heritage to increase efficiency and automation in the home
The missing layer: how aircraft constellations could provide a new perspective on our planet
No such thing as a waste product: using space technology to recycle urine
Consultation Study: Requirements for an Atlantic Constellation
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS, now DSIT), July 2022
This consultation exercise was commissioned by BEIS to inform future UK decision-making regarding the Atlantic Constellation, in particular regarding whether UK involvement should be seen as a priority. We held interviews and workshops with interested stakeholders from industry, public bodies and academia.
SWOT Analysis of the UK Space Science Research Base
UK Space Agency, April 2022
Undertaken jointly by RAND Europe and know.space, this study assessed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the UK space science research base, including a high level assessment of the UK’s international competitiveness.
Returns and Benefits from Public Space Investments 2021
UK Space Agency, April 2022
A comprehensive review of evaluation evidence of the impacts of space investments - critical for justifying, managing and targeting public investment to maximise social returns from space.
Bibliometric analysis of research linked to UKSA funding
UK Space Agency, August 2021
An independent, detailed bibliometric analysis of publications linked to UK Space Agency funding, aiming to provide UKSA with a better understanding of the nature and impact of the research they fund
UK Space Science: a summary of the research community and its benefits
SPAN (the Space Academic Network), April 2021
An assessment of the nature and benefits of the UK’s space science research base, highlighting the widespread and substantial impact of the science science community on the UK economy and wider society.
STFC Skills Factory Business Case
Science and Technology Facilities Council (UKRI-STFC), February 2021
Supported STFC (the Science and Technology Facilities Council, part of UK Research & Innovation) to develop the economic case for its proposed Skills Factory, which will provide early career and retraining opportunities to boost the UK’s technical skills base. As part of this, we developed a detailed logic model, conducted options analysis and a value for money appraisal, and provided expert advice on monitoring and evaluation to ensure that best practice was incorporated from the initial design stages.
In-Orbit Servicing: Dependencies with Space Surveillance and Tracking
UK Space Agency, March 2020
Research-led study to strengthen understanding of commercial IoS missions will depend on evolving public and private SST capabilities.
Evaluation of the UK Space Agency’s Space for Smarter Government Programme (SSGP)
UK Space Agency, March 2020
Assessment of SSGP’s successes and challenges in delivery, impact, and overall value-for-money, with recommendations for its future evolution.
