The Earth Observation for Marine and Climate Mission (EO4MCM) development programme is part of a wider £15 million government investment announced in 2022. It aims to identify and develop instruments for applications relating to climate change, maritime and net zero, which are suitable for deployment on constellations of small satellites. 

The EO4MCM projects will be funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). 

These projects aim to fill gaps in our understanding of the complex climate system, helping us monitor more accurately whether crucial climate targets are being met and the effectiveness of interventions mitigating the effects of climate change. 

Through collaboration with government, academia, industry and international partners, the EO4MCM projects will establish new mission technologies and concepts to help the UK prepare for future challenges. 

Andy Vick, EO4MCM Programme Lead and Head of Disruptive Technology at RAL Space, said: “This programme gives UK technologists an opportunity to show what they can do with a new-space constellation and leverages our leadership in small satellites. It will hopefully demonstrate the affordability of these technologies and their benefits alongside larger scale European programmes.” 

The projects: 

1. Sensing NO2 emissions to evaluate net zero initiatives (SNEEZI). Project lead: University of Edinburgh 

1. BoatSeek. Project lead: Satellite Vu Ltd with support from Leonardo UK and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd 

1. Multiplexed laser heterodyne radiometer (MUX-LHR). Project lead: STFC RAL Space 

1. Climate for Earth (CLEAR). Project lead: Surrey Satellite Technology 

1. Solar occultation limb sounding transformative instruments for climate exploration (SOLSTICE). Project lead: STFC RAL Space 

1. Global swath-mapping lidar satellite and its applications (GLAMIS). Project lead: Space Flow Ltd. 

1. Terrahertz SmallSat for EO. Project lead: STFC RAL Space 

Read more about the projects here.