Nebuluggage: UK science and space news

Civil

MAST Upgrade hits record plasma duration at Culham fusion lab

Researchers at the UK Atomic Energy Authority report a longer, more stable spherical tokamak pulse, strengthening the case for compact fusion devices on the path to STEP.

Civil

STEP roadmap firms West Burton timeline for prototype fusion plant

Civil

Diamond Light Source deepens materials beamtime for net-zero industry

Civil

RAL Space scales Harwell Earth observation processing for UK climate services

Civil

Jodrell Bank secures e-MERLIN uplift to keep UK VLBI network competitive

Civil

UK labs lock Ariel's spectrograph path ahead of ESA exoplanet launch window

Civil

British Antarctic Survey ties ice-sheet loss to sharper UK climate risk models

Latest

Civil

SWIMMR programme knits UK space-weather grid for grid and satcom resilience

28 January 2026 · Marcus Quinn

Researchers linking ground magnetometers, ionospheric sensors and satellite data say the UK is closer to actionable alerts for operators of power and navigation systems.

Civil

Genomics England widens NHS research cohorts for rare disease and cancer

11 December 2025 · Elena Vargas

Expanded sequencing capacity and tighter NHS data pathways aim to shorten diagnostic odysseys while keeping patient consent and security front of mind.

Commercial

Francis Crick and UK DRI deepen shared brain-disease platforms

5 November 2025 · Owen Patel

Joint imaging and molecular platforms in London seek faster routes from lab models to trials for dementia and neurodegeneration research.

Launch

SaxaVord inches toward fuller launch licensing on Unst

22 August 2025 · Claire Whitfield

Shetland’s vertical spaceport advances regulatory and range-safety work as UK officials weigh coastal community impacts against sovereign launch ambitions.

Launch

Spaceport Cornwall resets horizontal launch offers after Virgin orbit gap

30 September 2025 · Ben Moreau

Newquay’s spaceport courts alternative carriers and payload customers, leaning on airport dual-use strengths while vertical rivals gather pace elsewhere.

Commercial

Eutelsat OneWeb expands UK gateway role in hybrid LEO-GEO offering

16 October 2025 · Isla Kerr

Gateway and ground-segment investments on British soil underline how the merged operator wants government and enterprise customers to see the UK as a connectivity hub.