21 February 2019 – Telespazio VEGA UK has won a UK Space Agency grant, supporting its development of commercial launch range control services for UK Spaceport operations.

The service will be a key element enabling responsive launch services from the UK’s developing spaceports, serving both vertical and horizontal launch markets. Telespazio VEGA UK is working with expert partners – QinetiQ, GTD and Commercial Space Technologies (CST). The team can deliver a full solution for safe range control, based on world-class experience in range systems and operations in the UK and around the world.

Telespazio’s involvement in space launch includes on-site operations at Kourou, in French Guiana, as well as systems development for launch control and monitoring. Telespazio played a key role in development of the Vega launcher control bench and flight software and is a leading European broker of launch services for microgravity experimentation.

Marco Folino, CEO of Telespazio VEGA UK, said: “Telespazio is investing in the UK, developing spaceport services and other high-value space systems technologies. This grant demonstrates the confidence that UKSA has in Telespazio, as a key player in the UK Spaceport ecosystem. Safe, efficient and responsive range control is a critical element in the overall capability for launch – and we are very pleased to be at the forefront.”