Umbrella Space Science Ltd

The space industry cannot achieve the reliability and sustainability it needs without actively monitoring and navigating the space environment at the locations where assets operate. Historically, instruments capable of providing meaningful insight into the space environment have been bespoke, institution-led, science-focused, and expensive – designed for flagship missions, not commercial fleets.

Umbrella Space Science Ltd (USSL) is changing that. We design modular, in-situ payloads that integrate advanced sensing, on-board processing, software, and communications. Our systems are built for rapid integration and fleet-scale deployment across diverse missions and constellations, delivering datasets that can dramatically enhance spacecraft operations and space weather modelling.

USSL is a UK-based space instrumentation start-up developing in-situ payloads to monitor and characterise the space environment, with an initial focus on particle detection and radiation monitoring. Founded in 2023 by Dr Hubert Hu, our core team blends deep experience in design, programme delivery, and commercial execution — with more than 80 cumulative flight years across 10+ missions. Our heritage spans major ESA missions such as Cassini–Huygens, ExoMars, Euclid, and Vigil, built through years at leading space agencies and research organisations.

We’re engineers and builders at heart, driven by smarter design, relentless innovation, and world-class engineering to deliver the next generation of space environment payloads and data infrastructure at unprecedented speed and cost. Alongside our hardware, we develop interoperable data systems that transform raw measurements into timely, actionable insights — empowering users to advance research, deliver operational services, protect assets, manage risk, and support a more sustainable future in space and on Earth.