Guidance

Call for White Papers

Updated 20 October 2025

1. Introduction 

The UK Space Frontiers 2035 initiative is a pilot programme aimed at establishing a strategic, community-informed recommendation for the UK’s future space science priorities across astronomy, planetary science, and heliophysics. Inspired by the US Decadal Survey and ESA’s Voyage 2050 planning cycle, this process is jointly commissioned by the UK Space Agency, STFC and DSIT Space Directorate and will engage the scientific community through white paper submissions, workshops, and panel reviews. 

This call invites researchers, consortia, and institutions to propose ambitious, compelling scientific opportunities that the UK should prioritise over the next decade, ensuring alignment with ESA, multilateral, and UK-led mission opportunities. 

The exercise will inform prioritisation within the dual-key funding structure of the UK Space Agency and STFC such as providing inputs to the UKs support for ESAs M8, F3, and ‘mini-F’ mission evaluations, as well as potential bilateral partnerships (e.g. with NASA, CSA, JAXA). 

2. Scope of UK Space Frontiers 2035 

2.1 In-Scope Activities  

The Frontiers Thematic Panels (TPs) will consider mission and technology opportunities related to:  

• space-based platforms

• astronomy and astrophysics

• planetary science and solar system exploration (this includes Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, their moons, The Moon, and other solar system objects of interest to the planetary science community)

• Heliophysics, including solar, heliospheric, terrestrial magnetospheric and fundamental space plasma physics (but excluding the impact on the Earth’s neutral atmosphere), and space weather

• mission concepts and science payloads

• fundamental physics

• technology development to enable the above

2.2 Out-of-Scope Activities  

The following areas fall outside the remit of the current pilot programme:  

• ground-based observatories

• human spaceflight

• microgravity research (life sciences, fluid dynamics, etc.)

• Earth Observation (including climate and environmental monitoring)

3. Purpose of the White Papers 

White papers will form the primary evidence base for Thematic Panels that will assess scientific and technical priorities. Submissions should: 

• identify high-priority scientific questions or themes the UK should pursue in the next decade

• place these opportunities in a global and strategic context

• describe any potential mission concepts, technological capabilities, or infrastructure required to achieve the science

• highlight UK leadership, opportunities, scientific and technical capabilities, and international collaboration potential

• provide high-level commentary on feasibility and cost, where relevant

While the primary emphasis is on science priorities, papers may also address enabling missions, instrumentation, or technology development needed to realise the proposed goals. However, this is not a formal call for mission proposals or facilities. 

Authors may, where appropriate, include preliminary comments on technical feasibility, cost ranges, or technology readiness levels (TRLs). Technical Feasibility of papers will be assessed by the Technical Study Team, which will support the Steering Committee by providing consistent and impartial evaluations across proposed themes. 

4. Thematic Areas 

Each white paper must identify a primary thematic area from:

• astronomy, astrophysics and fundamental physics (Astro) - this includes exoplanets

• the Sun and heliosphere (Helio)

• the Solar System and Planetary Environments (Planetary) - this includes Moon and Mars

Authors may optionally select a secondary thematic area if their submission is interdisciplinary or cross-cutting. 

5. Content and Format Guidelines 

White papers should be no more than 6 pages. They should include: 

• title and thematic area(s)

• lead author(s) and contact Information

• scientific motivation and objectives

• strategic context (this should include benefits to UKs industrial base, broad economic impact, societal benefits and broad ‘big picture’ strategic benefits to the UK)

• proposed approach

• proposed technical solution and required development (if known)

• UK leadership and capability

• partnership opportunities; and 

• suggested mission class (optional)

Formatting Requirements are:

• max 6 pages, single-spaced

• 11 pt font (Arial), 2 cm margins

• PDF format (max 10 MB)

• cover page, references and list of signatories do not count against the limit

• no appendices, supplementary material, or additional documents will be accepted

Where a specific technical concept is being proposed to address the science objectives, the white paper should include the following details to the extent that they are available: 

• measurement requirements necessary to achieve the science objectives

• current state of instrument technical development

• any notable computing capacity requirements that will be needed as part of data analysis for the proposed mission

• technical information commensurate with the current technical maturity of the instrument(s) (proposals at low levels of technical maturity will not be penalised if the information is not yet available)

• a graphic of the instrument or payload and photographs of existing hardware, CAD renderings, schematic drawings of principle of operation, etc., are all acceptable

• Current Best Estimates (CBEs) of the following quantities if currently identified:

1. payload physical envelope (mm x mm x mm) 

2. payload mass (Kg) 

3. payload power requirements (Watts) 

• CBEs of the following requirements if currently identified:

1. pointing accuracy (+/- degrees) 

2. pointing knowledge (+/- degrees) 

3. command uplink: (# of commands, how often) 

4. telemetry downlink: (Kbytes per day)

6. Submission Process 

White papers should be submitted in PDF format via email to spacefrontiers@ukspaceagency.gov.uk by 28 November 2025. 

Each submission must designate a UK-based Lead Author, who will serve as the primary point of contact. 

All submitted white papers will be published publicly on a UK Space Agency/STFC-hosted or partner website shortly after the submission deadline, unless a justified confidentiality request is submitted. 

There is no limit to the number of submissions per individual or team, though each paper should focus on a distinct scientific opportunity or theme. 

An online community Q&A session, hosted by the Steering Committee, will take place shortly after the call opens. Details will be posted on the UK Space Agency and STFC websites along with a summary of the Q&As. 

7. Deliberation Process 

White papers will be studied by the relevant Thematic Panel, with a focus on identifying scientific opportunities, challenges, and enabling capabilities. While individual white papers may inform discussions, the panels are not expected to comment on or prioritise specific submissions. 

Instead, the panels will synthesis community input into broad priority categories, such as: 

• compelling near-term science opportunities 

• emerging or long-term themes requiring further development 

• areas where UK capabilities are especially strong 

• cross-cutting technology or infrastructure needs 

Feasibility assessments will be conducted by the Technical Study Team and will consider the technical viability of the proposal. This is not to generate a rank of scoring based on technical feasibility, but to independently assess the technical risk associated with achieving the science objectives proposed. 

8. Timeline 

Phase	Timeline
Call for White Papers Opens	3 October 2025
Online Q&A Session	Within 2–3 weeks of launch
Deadline for Submissions	28 November 2025
Thematic Panel Workshops	Mid-January 2026 to early February 2026

9. Eligibility 

White papers must be led by researchers based at UK institutions. The Lead Author must be affiliated with a UK university, research organisation, or company. 

International collaboration is welcome, and teams may include co-authors or contributors from outside the UK, but the submission must be coordinated and submitted by a UK-based lead.