The UK Space Agency awarded nearly 7 million pounds ($9 million) to support five projects focused on next-generation satellite technologies in the European Space Agency (ESA) ARTES program.

Awards announced Friday go to Orbit Fab, Goonhilly Earth Station, Vicinity Technologies, Archangel Lightworks working with Eutelsat, and Viasat’s U.K. subsidiary. The five projects deal with capabilities like satellite refueling and optical communications.

Orbit Fab’s ASTRAL project will receive up to 2.9 million pounds for a mission to validate its refueling interfaces in a docking and propellant transfer scenario. ASTRAL, which stands for Advancing Satcom Technology with Refueling and Logistics, will validate the company’s RAFTI and GRASP refueling interfaces, a step toward satellite servicing and refueling.

Vicinity Technologies’ funding will support a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) project. The team will design and develop a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network regenerative payload system and user terminals, including a software stack for both space and ground segments.

Archangel Lightworks is working with Eutelsat on a study under ESA’s Sunrise program to study use cases for deploying optical communications technology in Eutelsat’s OneWeb network.

Viasat’s U.K. subsidiary has received phase 2 funding focused on building a satcom procurement system that allows to governments to plan, procure, manage and monitor satellite communications services from Viasat and other providers.

And Goonhilly Earth Station received funding to build an interface unit that can be installed in global antennas to communicate with spacecraft in lunar missions, compatible with the LunaNet specification.

“By advancing satellite communications technology, we’re not only building a globally competitive sector but also ensuring that communities – even in the most remote corners of the U.K. – can access the services they need. This is space delivering for people and powering our future economy,” UKSA CEO Dr. Paul Bate said in a statement.