Bangor Uni shares in £1.6m space project

THE UK Space Agency has announced new funding to support space exploration using the Moon’s resources and nuclear power.

And Bangor University is involved in the project, with £200,000 of funding. The projects could revolutionise the ability to journey deeper into space - and even travel to Mars - safely and efficiently.

They aim to use remote technologies, and supplies found in space, to sustain astronauts and spacecraft.

One project is creating remote equipment scientists can use to run experiments on biological models in deep space from Earth.

This will allow them to better understand the impact of space on human health and begin designing medical treatments for astronauts.

Other ventures include testing improved systems for recycling breathing gases while in space, and enhanced methods for extracting valuable resources, such as oxygen and metals, from Moon rock.

While another one of the projects will look at new nuclear power processes for propulsion.

The agency announced £1.6 million funding for the eight projects through its Enabling Space Exploration fund on Mars Day.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The concept of exploring deeper into space - whether that means returning to the lunar surface through the Artemis programme, or working out how we travel to, and survive on, Mars and beyond - is a global ambition that has been growing since humanity’s first forays into space in the 1950s.

“Supporting technologies that make that ambition a reality will help raise the international profile of UK space skills and expertise. Not only does this naturally unlock business opportunities all along the supply chain, but it helps inspire young people to consider the possibility of a career in space without having to leave the UK.”