The £3.9 million grant from the UK Space Agency will support the development of Reaction Engines’ ground-breaking SABRE technology, enabling low-carbon air-breathing space access propulsion technology to be applied more widely in the space sector and beyond.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway and Transport Minister Rachel Maclean visited Reaction Engines today at its site in Culham, Oxfordshire, to discuss how the funding will help keep the UK ahead of the game in sustainable space exploration.

They also discussed how the technology Reaction Engines is developing for SABRE can respond to the challenge of driving Net-Zero into the transportation industry.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:

Backed by government, UK firms are leading the way in developing space technology that can reduce costs, improve sustainability and make space more accessible as we pursue our ambitious plans to grow the sector.

It was fantastic to see this technology first-hand at Reaction Engines, a business that is spearheading efforts to ensure the benefits of low-carbon innovation are applied throughout the industry, while helping the UK to lead the world in space exploration.

This investment builds on earlier government backing for Reaction Engines’ revolutionary SABRE technology, which promises exciting new developments both in space with potential for other technology spin-out areas including sustainable aviation fuels, unlocking atmospheric high-speed flight and prolonging electric vehicle battery life through innovative thermal management technology.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:

This funding is not only going towards the development of cutting edge, low carbon technology in space, but it will also boost work to decarbonise our wider transport landscape – from aviation to electric vehicles.

We will continue to invest in, and support, companies like Reaction Engines, as we look to a greener, cleaner future – including as we embark on sustainable space exploration.

Mark Thomas, Chief Executive at Reaction Engines said:

The innovative and disruptive nature of SABRE technology unlocks new ways of accessing space, furthering growth and sustainment of the future space economy. This refreshed UK commitment towards that long term vision is incredibly important for both Reaction Engines and the UK space industry. The ‘space technology’ we are developing is highly versatile and transformational, enabling applications here on earth with a strong environmental focus.

This new grant includes £5.3 million of activity that will be conducted through the next year and is part funded by the UK Space Agency (£3.9 million) and Reaction Engines. It follows £50 million of UK Space Agency funding for Reaction Engines since 2015.

The latest funding will secure near-term technology demonstration in hydrogen combustion, thermal management and engine control technologies, all critical to the air-breathing core of future SABRE systems.

It will also include strategic elements to explore the competitiveness of prospective SABRE-Launch Systems, whilst identifying key collaborative scenarios associated with vehicle and customer driven routes to market.

Earlier in the day, the ministers visited the Satellite Applications Catapult at the Harwell Space Cluster in Oxfordshire, where they met Stuart Martin, CEO and Lucy Edge, Chief Operating Officer and enjoyed a tour of the Satellite Applications Catapult Disruptive Innovation for Space Centre (DISC), before a discussion on the future of space and satellite applications in the UK.

Changes announced today confirm that the current Special Rules for Terminal Illness which fast-track benefit applications for those with a terminal diagnosis of six months is to be replaced with a new 12-month, end of life definition.

The move will ensure that people in the final year of their life will receive vital financial support quicker than they can do at present and at the highest rate through revised Special Rules.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:

Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is devastating and this change will increase much needed support for people who are nearing the end of their lives.

The new 12-month approach will ensure people get the financial help they need as quickly as possible in the most challenging of times. We have carefully considered the best approach and I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to our work in reaching this outcome.

Under the updated rules, clinicians still have discretion and will be supported by a realistic and straightforward definition, which aligns with current NHS practice.

Ministers plan to implement the 12-month end-of-life approach across five DWP benefits, beginning with Universal Credit and Employment Support Allowance next year and Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment when parliamentary time allows.

It follows a DWP evaluation which heard the views of people nearing the end of their lives, their families and friends, the organisations supporting them and the clinicians involved in their care.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of the end of life charity, Marie Curie, said:

Following years of campaigning for change, Marie Curie welcome the news today which is significant step forward and a tribute to all those who bravely shared their experiences of the benefits system. This will help ensure that more dying people can concentrate on making the most of the limited time they have left, rather than worrying about their finances. Marie Curie believes that everyone has the right to the best end of life care and support.

There is more to be done, but this is important progress and we look forward to working with the UK Government to bring in this change as quickly as possible.

Marie Curie will continue to play our part in making the case for people living with terminal illness to receive the financial support they need at the end of life, and ensuring that terminally ill people and their health professionals know what they are entitled to.

Sally Light, CEO of the Motor Neurone Disease Association said:

The MND Association is pleased the Government has listened to the voices of terminally ill people and announced it will scrap the 6-month rule.

This is a victory for the hundreds of campaigners across the country who have worked tirelessly alongside the MND Association urging the Government to change the rules.

Now the recommendations must be implemented quickly, to ensure no more people already facing the most difficult time of their life have to wait to claim the support they not only desperately need but are entitled to.

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