---
title: "commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch."
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT"
published: "2025-06-04"
---

# commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch.

Buyer: DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd

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## Summary

The Department for Transport (DfT) has completed a public procurement process related to the commissioning of research on the environmental impact of spacecraft launch. This procurement falls under the industry category of "Design and execution of research and development" and has been classified with the CPV code 73300000. The procurement process employed a selective method, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement, and was valued at £200,000. The contract period spanned from 12th March 2025 to 29th August 2025. This initiative involved multiple geographic areas, including the United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories, among others. The contracting authority responsible for the process is based out of Great Minster House, London. The award was granted to the University of Leeds on 20th February 2025, and the procurement process has now reached the "award" stage with the status marked "complete".

This tender provides significant business growth opportunities, particularly for enterprises specialising in environmental research, aerospace, and climate science. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete for similar tenders due to the focus on innovative research solutions and the need for specialised knowledge in atmospheric and environmental impact assessment. The successful completion of such contracts can bolster a company's profile within the public sector and open doors to further research and development projects. The expertise required for such a detailed analysis underscores the potential for collaboration with leading educational institutions like the University of Leeds, showcasing the value of partnerships in delivering cutting-edge research outcomes.

## Notice

The Department for Transport (DfT) is interested in commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch. There is a gap in understanding of the impact of rocket launches on atmospheric composition and climate, both for current and new rocket fuels. We want to understand the chemistry, volumes of exhaust entering the atmosphere, especially stratosphere, from rocket launch activities, its dispersion and their contribution to climate change. This research will allow DfT to understand whether there is an atmospheric issue from the effects of spacecraft launches and the potential size of the problem.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ea921b42-f991-4886-b03c-e91d8da250f6 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 4 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Feb 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Feb 2025 |
| Contract period | 12 Mar 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £200,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £200,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | Vincent Square |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

## Release History

- 4 Jun 2025 at 15:29 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ea921b42-f991-4886-b03c-e91d8da250f6

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ea921b42-f991-4886-b03c-e91d8da250f6
  4th June 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd.json.