Space technologies and services at Harwell science centre could help strengthen the NHS response to coronavirus.

The UK Space Agency has launched a new drive to fund technologies to help the NHS meet challenges such as delivering test kits, masks, gowns and goggles managing infectious disease outbreaks.

An initial £2.6m is funding a number of projects to develop hi-tech solutions to overcome these challenges in a joint initiative with the European Space Agency (ESA) in support of NHS England.

The space-enabled solutions could include satellite communications, satellite navigation, Earth observation satellites or technology derived from human spaceflight.

ESA has a base at Harwell in Oxfordshire and Nick Appleyard is the head of downstream business applications.

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He said: “Even in normal times, satellites and space technology offer solutions to our needs in connectivity and inclusion, in resilience and logistics, and to support healthcare provision in even the most extreme situations.

“The current circumstances challenge the space business community to show just how much it can offer, to help us through this a once in a century event. Speed is of the essence, so let us act without delay.”

The government has called on industry and the UK’s world-leading universities to back the national effort developing technology and equipment, this includes developing hand sanitiser and ventilators to support the NHS.

Science minister Amanda Solloway said: “From new advanced software helping speed up cancer diagnoses to satellite communications connecting GPs to patients virtually, the UK space sector has been world leading in applying its innovations to supporting our brilliant NHS.

“This new funding will ensure that the latest innovations will be on the frontline of tackling the unique problems the coronavirus outbreak has created, helping medical staff to focus on delivering world-class care.”

Space is already playing an important part in healthcare. Lanterne, is a UK start-up company based at Harwell and it recently launched a free app to help people observe social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus, using GPS satellite data and AI technologies.

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The UK Space Agency provided £5m for new health technologies inspired by working in space to support NHS England last year.

These technologies included developing more compact 3D X-ray machines, real-time diagnosis of bowel cancer and an app that provided exercise plans free from air pollution for those with medical conditions such as asthma.

Professor Tony Young, the NHS national clinical lead for innovation, said: “This is a global crisis that would overwhelm any health service on earth without strong action from the public and their public services, which is why the NHS is looking to industries across the world – or indeed from out of this world - for new and exciting innovations that could help improve the care we provide to patients or help the NHS respond to this pandemic.”

The UK Space Agency and UKspace, the trade organisation, are also working together to help the space sector respond to the coronavirus pandemic.