It has been over a year since Space South Central officially became the UK’s largest and most diverse space cluster – and what a busy year it has been! The organisation that is based in Portsmouth, has helped the region’s space sector reach new heights, with significant advancements in innovation, collaboration, education, and international partnerships.
One of their most notable impacts has been their contribution to economic growth. The cluster has generated approximately £3 billion in space-related income, providing employment for over 12,000 people, and contributing significantly to the local and national economy.
This economic boost is a testament to the cluster’s ability to attract investment and foster a thriving ecosystem of businesses, ranging from startups to established industry names, including Airbus, BAE Systems, NKT Photonics, Lumi Space, and LENA Space.
Dr Louise Butt, Director of the Space South Central Enterprise Network, said:
“Over the past 12 months, Space South Central has grown significantly. We now represent over 175 renowned space industry organisations and four world-class universities. Our region contributes a substantial share of the UK’s £18.9 billion space industry and employs nearly a quarter of the UK’s space workforce.”
In 2024, Space South Central welcomed University College London (UCL) (link to https://investportsmouth.co.uk/ucl-joins-space-south-central/) as their newest university partner, joining the universities of Portsmouth, Southampton, and Surrey. Home to the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) in Surrey and the UK’s largest university space research group, UCL has played a pivotal role in space research and technology for more than 50 years. Since 1966, it has participated in more than 35 satellite missions and over 200 rocket experiments.
Two new prestigious members were also added to their Advisory Board: The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and CGI, one of the largest IT and business consulting companies in the world. Both organisations have an extensive track record and significant presence in the global space sector.
The Space South Central region is perfectly placed to capitalise on the Government’s new space plan, launched at Space Comm in March last year. The Space Industrial Plan: From Ambition to Action – Advancing UK Space Industry, sets out to ‘modernise the relationship between government and the commercial space sector, establishing clear visions, missions, and actions to unlock growth and develop resilient space capabilities’.
The Space South Central region already has well-established strengths in the five priority space capabilities highlighted in the plan, in which the government pledges to boost growth in:
As one of the most established regional space clusters, their dedicated team is already working on the priorities outlined in the plan, bolstered by four world-class university partners and a wealth of space capabilities unrivalled anywhere in the UK. This gives their region a head start in capitalising on any funding and initiatives that arise from the Space Industrial Plan – and the Space South Central team is poised to ensure that the region can maximise these opportunities.
Innovation drives Space South Central’s success, advancing satellite technology, launch capabilities, and next-gen communications. The region excels in robotics and autonomous systems, enhancing the UK’s technology capabilities and creating new commercial opportunities in the global space market.
Dr Butt added:
“Areas of focus for the coming year include developing space science missions, expanding international partnerships, supporting and growing SMEs, advancing space-focused skills and education, and building new academic and industrial R&D collaborations.”