The UK Space Agency has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU), marking a new chapter in civil and commercial space cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was signed at the Embassy of Ukraine in London by Dr Paul Bate, UK Space Agency Chief Executive, and General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom.
This is the first agency-to-agency agreement between the UK Space Agency and SSAU. It demonstrates the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Ukraine in the space sector and supports the ambitions set out in the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, agreed in January 2025.
The MoU establishes a formal framework to encourage collaboration between UK and Ukrainian space organisations. It will facilitate the exchange of information and expertise, and support activity in areas of mutual interest across civil and commercial space.
The agreement highlights a shared commitment to the peaceful use of outer space, international cooperation, and the development of space technologies that can deliver social and economic benefits. It also reflects the important role space-based capabilities can play in strengthening infrastructure resilience and enabling long-term reconstruction and growth.
Funding lines if cleared.
This week, the UK Space Agency will also contribute EUR 100,000 to support a programme of joint activities between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU). This contribution will help advance the development of Ukraine’s space sector and lay the foundations for deeper future cooperation and industrial collaboration between Ukraine, ESA and the UK.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Space is central to modern economies, from communications and navigation to climate monitoring and infrastructure resilience. This agreement marks an important step in strengthening our partnership with Ukraine in the civil and commercial space sector.
“By working together, we can support innovation, unlock new commercial opportunities for UK and Ukrainian organisations, and harness space technologies to deliver real-world benefits for our citizens.”
Volodymyr Mikheiev, Acting Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, said: “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Space Agency of Ukraine and the UK Space Agency is an important step in strengthening cooperation between our countries in the space sector.
“We highly value the opportunity to begin a closer dialogue and exchange of experience between our agencies, as well as to bring our national space sectors closer together. I am confident that our partnership will contribute to the development of joint space initiatives for the benefit of the people of Ukraine and the United Kingdom.”
Following the signing, the SSAU will meet with UK Space Agency programme leads to explore potential areas for collaboration.
The UK has one of the largest space sectors in Europe, employing tens of thousands of people across the country in satellite manufacturing, space science, launch services and downstream applications. Today’s agreement reinforces the UK’s role as a leading partner in international space cooperation and strengthens ties with Ukraine as part of a long-term, strategic partnership.