UK Science Minister George Freeman has announced a £2 million cash injection for 13 new space projects through the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

One of the projects is helmed by Rolls-Royce, which is developing a power station that can generate its own water and breathable oxygen in space.

Abi Clayton, Rolls-Royce’s future programmes director, said the UKSA support had been “instrumental” in enabling the continued progress of the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor – used to power the station – development programme.

She added: “This shows the true value of public and private partnership – as we bring together the space domain experience of the UK Space Agency with our own unique nuclear expertise.

“Together we can achieve ambitious technological firsts for the UK as we develop the power systems of the future.”

Other projects covered by the boost in funds include new technology that can withstand the deadly levels of radiation on Mars. The red planet is also subject of another endeavour which seeks to build a communications tool for astronauts to tackle delays in message relaying between Earth and Mars.

Another eye-catching project involves the development of a robot that search for water and oxygen (among other resources) on moon rocks.

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Announced during British Science Week, Science Minister George Freeman said the “discovery breakthroughs” have applications that could benefit people “here on Earth” as well as potentially propel the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

The cash boost announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed that a fresh £445,000 cash injection has gone towards getting 10 UK space science projects off the ground through the Technology for Space Science initiative – a joint venture between the UK Space Agency’s National Space Technology Programme and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation.

The UK has invested £180m over five years in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) global exploration programme.

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