The UK Space Agency has announced that Senior Programme Lead for National Security Diana Luncă has received the prestigious NATO Science and Technology Organization Systems Concepts and Integration Early Career Award.
The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to NATO’s SCI 370 Research Specialists’ Meeting, which focused on the exploitation of dual-use space technologies for Alliance operations and security.
Diana Luncă leads the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Defence programme, helping bridge the gap between commercial space innovation and defence capabilities.
Her work supports the rapid adoption of emerging space technologies that can strengthen both national security and NATO operations.
As co-chair of the SCI 370 meeting, she played a key role in bringing together experts from government, military, academia, and industry across NATO member nations.
The discussions focused on identifying capability needs, overcoming barriers to technology adoption, and improving the integration of dual-use space technologies.
Luncă credited the success of the initiative to strong collaboration between the UK Space Agency, NATO partners, and international stakeholders.
The recognition highlights the growing importance of space technologies such as satellite communications, Earth observation, and space domain awareness in modern defence and security strategies.
NATO continues to prioritize innovation in space as a critical component of operational resilience and collective security.
The UK Space Agency remains committed to supporting NATO through partnerships, innovation, and the development of advanced dual-use space capabilities for future challenges.
