Swindon & Wiltshire News
West of England Space Hub awarded funding boost from UK Space Agency
The West of England Space Hub, a regional partnership established to unlock space innovation and including the University of Bristol, has been awarded £136,000 from the Government.
The consortium, also comprising the National Composites Centre (NCC) and the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS) – both based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park – along with the University of Bath, is engaged in producing leading research for the space sector including engineering, astronomy, planetary science and life and health sciences.
The new hub provides the opportunity for the West of England to position itself at the forefront of space-enabled innovation and inclusive growth. It brings together experts and business leaders to identify and showcase existing strengths and set a future strategy which will maximise the space potential of the region.
Kate Robson-Brown, professor in mechanical engineering from the Department of Engineering Mathematics at the University of Bristol, said: “This is excellent news for our region and the University of Bristol.
“It will provide opportunities for collaboration with the vibrant regional space sector and has the potential to leverage large scale investment in innovative space research in the region.
“The University has a rich community of space researchers involved in cutting edge research into advanced materials and manufacturing, secure satellite communication, earth observation, climate science, robotics and resilient satellite systems, all of which drives the next generation of technology for a sector worth £16.4 billion to the UK economy.”
It is amongst 18 projects aimed at promoting the space sector across the UK to receive funding.
Science Minister George Freeman said: “These projects will tap into the wealth of talent found in places like Cornwall and the East Midlands, as well as across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while using space and satellite technology to support local communities.
“This funding will help link local clusters to valuable networks of innovators and investors, showcasing the strengths of the UK space sector to international investors and levelling up the economy.”
The projects are focused on piloting local activity that could be scaled up and rolled out nationally and are being supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner the Satellite Applications Catapult.
The funding follows £600,000 given to 10 space clusters across the UK in February 2022, with some of those who received funding then getting further support this time round.
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the Swindon-based UK Space Agency, said: “Establishing a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realise the full economic potential of space across the UK.
“We’ve been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies so that we can back these clusters of excellence to collaborate, grow and thrive.”
Part of this funding will support local areas to appoint Space Cluster Managers: individuals who will work with local government, businesses and academia to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment.
These clusters will complement the world leading Harwell Space Cluster, in Oxfordshire, which is home to more than 100 space organisations, employing over 1,400 people.
Image by SpaceX published under Creative Commons licence
