What is the UK National Space Program?
Ready to aim for the stars? The UK National Space Program is your gateway to the future of space exploration!
This year’s Program, the CubeSat Challenge, in official partnership with Teesside University & the TVCA (Tees Valley Combined Authority), and supported by the UK Space Agency, aligns with the UK’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and STEM excellence.
The Program is divided into two distinct stages. In the first phase, student teams produce and submit a video entry, which is then reviewed by a panel of experts.
From these submissions, the top 30 teams—each consisting of up to five members—are selected to progress to the program’s final in Teesside University. There, they will collaborate with NASA astronauts to design CubeSats, culminating in one team being crowned UK champions.
Compete for your chance to be crowned UK Champions 2025!
Discover more about the Cubesat Challenge Program HERE
Welcome to the UK National Space Program
Join the UK National Space Program, competing against students from all across the UK for the chance to build your own CubeSat at Teesside University alongside NASA astronauts.
What skills will we learn?
Who will we learn from?
Sharpen your critical thinking abilities, learning to evaluate information and devise well-considered solutions. You'll also cultivate strong teamwork and leadership skills, collaborating effectively to guide your peers and achieve shared objectives.
Critical thinking, Teamwork & Leadership
Explore core STEM concepts, applying scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical principles to real-world projects. You’ll also examine sustainability challenges, discovering innovative ways to balance resource use, environmental health, and community well-being for future generations.
STEM & Sustainability
Develop essential project management skills, learning how to plan tasks, manage resources, and track progress effectively. You’ll also sharpen your problem-solving abilities, analyzing complex challenges creatively to arrive at innovative, impactful solutions and results.
Project management & Problem solving
Where and When?
How do i apply?
To apply, gather your team and prepare a short video answering our desired question (you can find the question on the application page). Complete the online submission form and upload your video by the specified deadline.
Our panel of experts will review all entries, and the top 30 teams will be invited to join the final event in Teesside. Good luck!
Explore the unknown
Final at Teesside University
October 20-24
9am - 4pm daily
What do you get?
Signed completion certificate
All participating students receive a personally signed certificate from a NASA astronaut.
Signed program T-Shirt
Get your exclusive signed program T-Shirt; which serves as an iconic symbol, and commemorates your achievements on the program.
Photographs with a NASA astronaut
Enjoy an exclusive chance to capture unforgettable photographs with a NASA astronaut, showcasing your connection to space exploration and creating cherished memories of this extraordinary event.
