The UK Government has allocated a £2m fund to accelerate development of commercial and innovative space products.

Funding will facilitate British companies to design and manufacture new space technologies.

On behalf of the UK Space Agency, the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation and Space Technology is preparing to release further details of the call for proposals later in March.

The proposal selection is expected to be conducted during June and July 2015 with plans to commence projects from September 2015.

"Proposals include space technology research and development projects covering telecommunications, sensing, position, navigation, timing, exploration, robotics and access to space platforms."

The call for proposals will be part of the National Space Technology Programme’s (NSTP) second round of funding.

In 2014, the NSTP sought proposals for technology fast track, pathfinder projects and a new opportunity to bid for grants for exploratory ideas.

Proposals include space technology research and development projects covering telecommunications, sensing, position, navigation, timing, exploration, robotics and access to space platforms.

The call for exploratory ideas includes small studies involving technology readiness levels innovation, proof of concept, small technology developments, and market studies into space technologies.

NSTP is designed to advance the UK’s efforts to develop innovative technologies in the commercial space market, and strengthen the country’s position in future international space programmes, including those of the European Space Agency (ESA).

It works in partnership with the UK Space Agency programmes, as well as with academic, industry and public sector partners.