UK Space Frontiers 2035: Astro, Planetary and Helio
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-18)

Setting bold priorities for the UK’s role in exploring the cosmos and our Solar System.

UK Space Frontiers 2035: Astro, Planetary and Helio is a collaborative initiative triggered by the UK Space Agency, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), aiming to produce a ten-year, community-backed prioritisation to steer the nation’s space-science ambitions. This pilot programme will identify the most compelling scientific questions across astronomy, heliophysics and planetary science, weigh mission concepts against realistic cost and technology assessments, and align future investments with a unified vision for UK leadership in space exploration.

Call for Applications: Membership of the UK Space Frontiers 2035 Thematic Panels

Applications closed on 5 November 2025.

Call for White Papers: UK Space Frontiers 2035

The UK Space Frontiers 2035 pilot programme invites UK-based researchers and consortia to submit white papers outlining ambitious priorities in astronomy, planetary science, and heliophysics. Submissions should propose science opportunities for the next decade, support UK leadership, and align with international missions.

Please see the Call for White Papers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-space-frontiers-2035-astro-planetary-and-helio/call-for-white-papers) for more information and to apply.

Deadline: 28 November 2025

Structure of UK Space Frontiers 2035: Astro, Planetary and Helio

Sponsorship Group

The Sponsorship Group (“SG”) is the governance body jointly convened by the UK Space Agency, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) Space Directorate.

Its purpose is to commission and oversee the UK Space Frontiers 2035: Astro, Planetary and Helio initiative, ensuring the programme aligns with national space science strategy and establishes broad stakeholder confidence.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is a time-limited expert group responsible for producing the UK Space Frontiers 2035: Astro, Planetary and Helio prioritisation report. It includes academic advisors from STFC and UK Space Agency structures, independent researchers, and industry representatives. Its main role is to define the scientific and technical scope, guide expert input via thematic panels, and deliver a final set of actionable recommendations.

Key tasks include forming thematic panels across astronomy, planetary science, and heliophysics; setting deliberation criteria based on international best practices; and synthesising findings into a coherent roadmap. The Committee will report to the Sponsorship Group and be supported by a Delivery Team and the Technical Team.

The Committee hosted a live online Q&A session on 22 October 2025.

The session can be watched here (https://youtu.be/OJP5wudvs8g).

Chairs
- Prof Monica Grady (The Open University)
- Prof Matt Griffin (University of Cardiff)
Members
- Prof Caroline Smith (Natural History Museum)
- Dr Manish Patel (The Open University)
- Prof Lyndsay Fletcher (University of Glasgow)
- Prof John Bridges (University of Leicester)
- Dr Aprajita Verma (University of Oxford)
- Prof Gillian Wright (UK Astronomy Technology Centre)
- Dr Patrick Antolin (Northumbria University)
- Prof Peter Hargrave (University of Cardiff)
- Doug Liddle (UK Space, Surrey Space Institute)
Thematic Panels

Thematic panels will be established to evaluate priorities and challenges across astronomy, planetary science, and heliophysics. These panels will ensure that the prioritisation accurately reflects the breadth and depth of UK expertise, while also addressing practical constraints.

Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro)

Understanding the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe. From the Milky Way to the cosmic frontier.

This panel unifies Galactic and extragalactic investigations. It will examine exoplanets, stellar populations, star-forming regions, interstellar medium, compact objects, and dynamical structure of the Milky Way and extend outward to tackle fundamental questions in cosmology and large-scale structure. Topics include galactic archaeology, chemical evolution, nearby Local-Group systems, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and active galactic nuclei, cosmic microwave- and infrared-background radiation, and transient phenomena such as supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, gravitational-wave events and fundamental physics.

Heliophysics (Helio)

Probing the Sun, its variability, and its influence on the Solar System.

This panel will focus on solar physics and heliophysics, including the solar dynamo, flares, coronal mass ejections, and space weather. It will cover the solar wind and the structure of the heliosphere, as well as solar–terrestrial interactions and planetary magnetospheres.

The Solar System and Planetary Environments (Planetary)

Investigating the planets, moons, and small bodies of our Solar System

This theme addresses planetary science across the Solar System, including geological and atmospheric processes, comparative planetology, the astrobiological potential of environments such as Mars & icy moons, and Solar System formation.

Delivery team

A delivery team has been formed to support its day-to-day activities and to assist the work of the sponsorship team and the steering committee. This will include members from the UK Space Agency, STFC, and DSIT.

Technical Team

The Technical Team, led by the UK Space Agency Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE), will provide expert technical analysis and specialised support to the Thematic Panels and Steering Committee, ensuring rigorous, evaluation of ideas discussed as part of the Frontiers work.