Universe-changing research
Discover pioneering research work taking place at the University — and meet some of the researchers behind it
Space research helps address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and allows us to prove or disprove scientific theories developed on Earth, such as gravity, the atmosphere and the geological evolution of other planets.
Public imagination is often focused on space exploration such as rockets, spacecraft, and Mars missions, and in Portsmouth we have developed a new Mission Design facility to help people design spacecraft and missions. In addition to these exciting and inspiring missions, space science has a huge impact on our lives on Earth keeping us connected, improving our health and protecting the environment. Through our globally-important research and innovation in space technologies, the University of Portsmouth is helping to strengthen the UK as a world-class space nation.
We are working to develop a Portsmouth Research Institute for Space Missions (PRISM) which will bring all our space activity under one roof, including mission design, and will be closely connected to our Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG). The ICG is a world-leading astronomy centre with an international reputation for research excellence that covers theoretical cosmology, observational cosmology, extragalactic astrophysics, and gravitational waves.
ICG scientists are also turning their expertise to analysing astronomical data to solve problems on Earth. For example, they work with geographers and others to predict natural disasters and combat climate change and are using algorithms used for detecting exploding stars to spot changes in moles to detect early warning signs for skin cancer.
The University also plays a critical role in supporting space industries in the UK: we're home to ASTA Technology, the UK’s only ESA-accredited provider of space engineering training, and a founding partner of Space South Central.
Portsmouth Research Institute for Space Missions (PRISM)
Partnering with industry to make the UK a leading space nation. Find out more, and how you can partner with us, in our brochure.
World Space Week 2023: Space and Entrepreneurship
Find out more about how our space research contributes to the commercial space industry and entrepreneurship.
Pilot study rapidly develops mission design for Moon-orbiting satellite
The first study in the University of Portsmouth’s new Space Mission Incubator saw science and engineering experts working together in real time to rapidly develop a space mission that will place a small satellite in orbit around the Moon.
NASA-inspired space mission design facility awarded £100k
A unique new mission design service, inspired by NASA JPL, has won £100k funding from the UK Space Agency for its set-up phase at the University of Portsmouth.
Explore related news, blogs and podcasts
News
University of Portsmouth selected to take part in European Space Agency challenge
Space project to tackle air pollution and weather forecasting
Youtuber discusses first images from Euclid space telescope
First-of-its-kind measurement of the Universe’s expansion rate weighs in on a longstanding debate in physics and astronomy
Blogs
Osiris-Rex: Nasa reveals evidence of water and carbon in sample delivered to Earth from an asteroid
UFOs: what we’ll learn from the Nasa panel investigating sightings
ICG astrophysicist is one of the world's leading female physicists
Mission Space, collaborations and business engagement
We champion regional space cluster activity. The University is an integral part of locally-led innovation clusters working to fulfil the space sector’s ambitions.
We’re a founding partner of Space South Central, a partnership between industry and academia, designed to catalyse investment and deliver missions and capability. We also launched Mission Space in 2022, an exciting strategy promoting cohesion among key players in the South of England to drive growth in the sector.
Our research has been undertaken with various industry partners including aerospace primes such as Airbus, BAE Systems and QinetiQ.
Our software team in ICG explores innovative applications of astrophysics data analytics tools, and plays leading roles in the science requirements, design and analysis of data from many space and ground-based telescopes. This includes major international projects such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the European Space Agency Euclid satellite, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).
Work with us
The University of Portsmouth is well-placed to help the space industry — from our wealth of world-leading space expertise and track record of successful partnerships in space-related research and innovation, to our location at the heart of the UK space sector.
The National Space Strategy recognises that academia and research institutes are a vital component to growing the UK space sector. The strategy acknowledges the contribution of universities to world-class Earth and space research, nurturing talent and space engineers, and unleashing innovation.
SOLENT SPACE – On a mission to create a space-enabled future for all
Explore the Solent area's contribution to the space sector, from rockets to satellite data. See how we're contributing to knowledge, training and industry outreach.
Research
Explore our Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) and the space-related research taking place in our Future & Emerging Technologies theme.
Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation
Our research in the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) covers galaxies and stars, large-scale structures, gravitational waves and dark energy — even the origins of the universe itself.
Cosmology and Astrophysics
We're working to understand the cosmos and the fundamental physical laws at work – including gravity and the nature of spacetime. And how these laws of nature play out in the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies.
Future and emerging technologies
Our research under this theme is helping make the world a better place – we're making significant breakthroughs, developing new technologies, and finding sustainable, cost-effective ways to transform our knowledge into action.
Research features
Read in-depth features on the pioneering work being done by our researchers.
Amateur sleuths muscle up the science of discovery
Prof. Daniel Thomas & Prof. Bob Nichol
Celebrating Women in Space
Find out more about the research work being done by three of our leading space-focused researchers.
Dr Jen Gupta, Senior Public Engagement and Outreach Fellow
Recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society as a leading female astronomer, Dr Jen Gupta’s work centres around championing greater understanding of astronomy, and inspiring a new generation of scientists. She's also the co-host of the BBC Radio 4 show Stranger Than Sci-Fi.
Professor Claudia Maraston, Theoretical Astrophysicist
Theoretical astrophysicist Dr Claudia Maraston analyses big data using supercomputers to understand how stars and galaxies have evolved over billions of years. She has been awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s Eddington Medal for Astronomy, for creating new models to better understand the mysteries of space.
Dr Laura Nuttall, Reader at the Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation
A UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Reader in the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation — and a member of the University's Gravitational-Wave Physics Group — Dr Laura Nuttall's work has played an integral role in searching for gravitational waves from colliding black holes and neutron stars.
Contact us
Together, we can take a giant leap towards realising the ambitions of the UK Space Strategy. We would love to discuss your projects with you to explore how research and innovation can deliver your goals for investment, product and talent development, and business growth.
Lucinda King
Space Project Manager
lucinda.king@port.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 5151