Planning

Request For Information - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts

UK SPACE AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 17:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency is actively soliciting industry feedback through a Request for Information (RFI) regarding potential In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts. This process is part of the Agency's efforts to enhance the UK's capabilities in In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) as announced at the Space Comm Expo in March 2026. The procurement is currently at the planning stage, and interested parties are encouraged to provide input on mission concepts by the deadline of 29 May 2026. The project is focused on services related to satellite communications equipment and spacecraft, with operations set within the United Kingdom. Businesses should submit their responses via email as prescribed in the RFI documentation.

This RFI presents significant opportunities for organisations specialising in satellite-related communications equipment, spacecraft, and space transport services. Companies with expertise in Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) missions or ISAM may be well-suited to participate, driving innovation and potentially shaping future government funding decisions. The UK Space Agency aims to gather diverse perspectives on delivery costs and timescales, with a view to strengthening the UK's position in the global satellite industry. While this phase does not guarantee procurement or funding, it offers a crucial platform for businesses to influence future programmes and align with UKSA’s strategic objectives.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Request For Information - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts

Notice Description

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) considers In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) as a critical capability for strengthening the UK's position in space and supporting both civil and defence objectives. At Space Comm Expo in March 2026, the Government announced new investment to strengthen the UK's In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek industry feedback to inform the UK Space Agency's options for deploying this funding through potential future ISAM mission(s). Through this RFI, UKSA is seeking views on possible mission concepts that could demonstrate or enable ISAM capabilities. In particular UKSA wishes to understand: * The feasibility of Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) enabled ISAM Missions; * Indicative costs (as a range) of delivery; * Delivery timescales. This Request For Information (RFI) builds on existing market engagement activity and is intended to inform the UK Space Agency's options appraisal, financial assurance and business case development for potential mission concepts, including how such concepts could be developed and taken forward in line with UK public sector commercial, assurance and governance frameworks, prior to any financial commitment. Responses to this RFI will not be evaluated and this RFI does not constitute a commitment to procure or fund any activity. Information provided will be used solely to inform future programme planning, mission design and options development, with decisions on delivery models (including whether to proceed with a procurement of a contract or a grant call) and any subsequent competition remaining subject to applicable UK public sector requirements. Specific timelines will be subject to the feedback received from this RFI. Within the next spending review period, the aims and objectives of the In-Orbit Servicing Mission are as follows. AIM-01. Demonstrate safe, reliable, repeatable RPOD and robotic operations in orbit to give global satellite operators confidence in adoption and position UK ISAM companies to service this demand. OBJ -001 Conduct In Orbit RPOD Mission(s). OBJ-002 Demonstrate "service layer" concept through proof-of-concept demonstration and critical elements de-risking. To view the RFI in full, including the questionnaire for those interested in providing information on mission concept(s) to the UK Space Agency please contact the following inbox: UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk We will respond with: - Request For Information: In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts (full version including question set) - Response template (in MS Word) Please note responses to the RFI questions must be received by Friday 29 May 2026.

Planning Information

To view the RFI in full, including the questionnaire for those interested in providing information on mission concept(s) to the UK Space Agency, please contact the following inbox: UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk We will respond with: - Request For Information: In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts - Response template (in MS Word) Responses to the RFI must be received by Friday 29 May 2026, and should be submitted in PDF format by email to the following inbox: UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk Emails should include the subject line: "RFI Response - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts -

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0685ca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035409-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

35631100 - Communication satellites

35631200 - Observation satellites

35631300 - Navigation satellites

60500000 - Space transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SPACE AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DIDCOT
Postcode
OX11 0DF
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Vale of White Horse
Electoral Ward
Hendreds
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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