Innovate UK will support Commercial Space Technologies Ltd. (CST) in opening negotiations with the Chinese company LandSpace for the importation and UK operation of their small-satellite launch vehicle LS-1, which is in the final stages of development. CST has brokered launches for over 25 years to help small-satellite companies, both UK based and international, gain access to space. This market is now growing and demanding dedicated launch services. A new global space race has thus begun for the first cost-effective, commercially-operating small launcher. By modifying the LS-1 with help from domestic technology firms, CST is aiming for a tailored, fast-turnaround solution to jump the UK ahead of the competition and gain first access to this newly emerging market.

Commercial Space Technologies Prospecting (CSTP) has developed methods of analysing satellite-derived imagery of the Earth to assist traditional prospecting companies in locating resources such as oil, gas and minerals. CSTP plans to transfer these previously established techniques to search for ground water and assist communities in Africa suffering from drought. To test this application and develop a full service that finds (and subsequently delivers) clean water, CSTP will need to collaborate with local prospecting and irrigation companies, and ally with certain state organisations. CSTP has identified South Africa as the best country to test these methods as it has responsive government departments, appropriately advanced industrial collaborators and the finances to incubate novel technologies.