UK Space Agency gives major boost to the Space sector in Yorkshire

£800k funding to drive high impact, locally led projects and harness space-enabled technology.

Space Hub Yorkshire, the UK Space Agency (UKSA) funded regional Space cluster, have been given a major boost by receiving over £800k of funding to further develop the Space sector across the Yorkshire region.

This funding forms part of a national £6.5 million funding package from UK Space Agency to support 18 projects across the country aimed at accelerating the expansion of the UK’s rapidly growing Space sector. It includes support for high impact, locally led schemes and Space Cluster development managers to help the Space sector grow across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The projects will harness space-enabled technology to address local priorities, such as using Earth Observation data to improve environmental monitoring and local public services, and to help innovative technology start-ups and engineering companies access the UK’s Space markets. The projects will be supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner, the Satellite Applications Catapult.

A key priority for Space Hub Yorkshire is their GreenSpace project. This will harness Yorkshire’s industrial capabilities and expertise to create a network of organisations from across the Space, finance, and agriculture sectors, to embed the use of Earth Observation and geospatial data into the UK’s Green Finance ambitions and commitment to Net Zero.

There are exciting careers in the Space sector for everyone, whether you love coding, environmental science, engineering or law, so it’s fantastic to see this new UK investment in Yorkshire. The sky really is the limit!

Dr Anna Hogg, Associate Professor in the School of Earth and Environment and founder of Space Hub Yorkshire, said: “Space technology has revolutionised our daily lives, from helping us map our travel to work or measure the quality of the air we breathe. There are exciting careers in the Space sector for everyone, whether you love coding, environmental science, engineering or law, so it’s fantastic to see this new UK investment in Yorkshire. The sky really is the limit!”

Space Hub Yorkshire will be appointing Space Cluster Managers who will work with businesses, government, agencies and our education providers to coordinate Space activity, encourage collaboration, drive inward investment and create inspirational educational outreach programmes.

Commenting on the news, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “I’m delighted that Yorkshire has received this funding to boost our space sector. This will help open new doors within the industry that will drive inward investment, tackle the climate emergency and grow our local economy. We know that new technologies are part of our everyday life, and will be in the future,  so it is only right that West Yorkshire plays a pivotal part in the country’s ambitions for a growing space sector.”

We know that new technologies are part of our everyday life, and will be in the future,  so it is only right that West Yorkshire plays a pivotal part in the country’s ambitions for a growing space sector

Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, described the scope of the project and its impact across the country: “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.”

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the 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.”

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.

Stuart Martin, Chief Executive Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult explained, “We have a long-standing commitment to driving the growth of the UK space sector at a regional level and are delighted to continue our support for the delivery of this investment, with our focus on building a coherent space community. This additional funding will help cement relationships across the UK’s space community while forging new collaborations with those not yet utilising and benefiting from space data and technology. We look forward to ensuring that the sector as a whole takes advantage of the opportunities presented through these locally led initiatives and supporting a connected and thriving ecosystem.”