Space West

The Space West region is fortunate to have a unique and diverse space sector. It supports both multi-national space companies and innovative SMEs, with space-specific expertise spanning upstream and downstream technologies.

The University of Bath’s space capabilities span a wide range of disciplines, from core Faculties of Science and Engineering to Social Sciences and the School of Management. 

The University of the West of England (UWE) has wide-ranging space-related expertise. Key specialities include robotics, materials and manufacturing, space propulsion and access to space, mission design trajectory optimisation, space debris and renewable energy applications for space. 

The University of Bristol is home to a large multidisciplinary community of over 100 space researchers across multiple Faculties, with involvement in a wide range of research activities including Mars Lander projects, climate modelling using satellite imagery and biological models in a lunar environment.

The National Composites Centre (NCC) with industry guidance from Thales Alenia Space has manufactured an all-composites linerless (Type-V) tank demonstrator that is representative of those used for launch vehicle and satellite propellant tanks, delivering an estimated weight saving of 30% compared to conventional metallic propellant tanks in current use. 

Maximizing product design with simulation and the digital twin.

Space robotics operations (on-orbit satellite servicing, manufacturing, and refueling) are complex. There is limited simulation data that constitutes these space operations, and the operations involve sophisticated maneuvers in the space environment (0-g environment in a vacuum with extreme temperature gradients). In the space environment, the mechanisms and structures can exhibit higher order non-linear dynamic characteristics.

Click here to find out more and sign up to the webinar. 

Space West is gearing up to host an Investment Readiness Workshop, an event tailored to equip entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to secure investment for their ventures. While specific details are yet to be confirmed, attendees can anticipate an event filled with valuable insights, practical guidance, and networking opportunities.

This workshop underscores Space West's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of businesses within the region. Watch this space for further updates! 

1^st February Foot Anstey Offices, Bristol.  Join this workshop delivered in partnership with Space West and Deloitte, to hear more about challenges faced by the Offshore wind sector and the Climate & Resilience sectors that space technologies could solve.  Challenge setters come with problem books from South West Water, Environment Agency, Celtic Sea Power and Crown Estates.  

16^th February, UWE, Bristol - This full day workshop, delivered by Space West in partnership with UKSA and ESA, provides your business with all that you need to know to be working with ESA. ESA’s Gertrud Talvik will be joined by speakers from CGI and Thales Alenia Space and iCOMAT as they build on Gertrud’s session to provide an industrial perspective of working with ESA.

UKSEDS National Student Space Conference Bristol March 2-3^rd March 2024 National Student Space Conference 2023-UKSEDS - UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space

Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Manager, is proudly attending the South West AgriTech. Showcase 2024.

Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Lead will be at Space-Comm. The Space-Comm Expo gathers space, aerospace, defence, downstream and upstream industries for two days of high-level networking, discussions, education and business, focused on the commercial future of space.

Supported by key industry associations and influential bodies, Space-Comm Expo showcases the end-to-end supply chain for products, services and applications supplying and informing commercial enterprises, Government and defence organisations, and developments in technology.

Space West is delighted to be hosting, John Abbot's of the Satellite Applications. This visit signifies an invaluable opportunity John him to acquaint himself with the region's landscape, as well as its key individuals and stakeholders.

Space West will be attending The UK Space Conference at the ICC Belfast, taking place 21st - 23rd November 2023.

An exciting opportunity to hear how space can unlock opportunities for your business.

Thursday 5 October

This networking event aims to bring together researchers and businesses able to exploit space technologies for terrestrial applications with organisations that could leverage this intelligence to unlock new opportunities and markets.

New proposals for deciding liability limits for satellite operators, in the event of an incident in space and how operators are insured, have been set out.

UK Space Agency have added three more stops on their ‘Space for Everyone’ tour of the UK.  This exciting initiative aims to captivate and educate the next generation about space, showcasing the UK’s flourishing space industry and the diverse career opportunities available.

Thanks to everyone that joined us for our first networking event. With over 30 organisations joining us there was a real buzz in the room that wasn’t dampened by the wet July weather.

UK government explores plan to open £160million satellite fund to boost broadband and 5G revolution.

Space West, and the National Composites Centre will be attending DSEI 2023. Join us!

The West of England Space Hub consortium launched as ‘Space West’ will be making its debut at the UK Space Agency’s Ignite Space event at Aerospace Bristol.

Run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) aims to inspire companies to win new business, develop industrial capabilities, and provide new cutting-edge answers to defence problems at home and abroad, ensuring the UK expands its competitive, pioneering and world-class defence and security industries.  The £16 million programme is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK to develop innovative materials, technologies and processes, and to enhance defence supply chains.  

UK Space Agency Call for Proposal £15M available. The UK Space Agency is now requesting proposals for Science Experiments and Technology Demonstrators that could be flown to the ISS in late 2025. Demonstrators must be designed, developed, built, and qualified by the project team.

Technology Demonstrators

Science Experiments

UK Space Agency is making available up to £1.7 million available under this fund between now and 31 March 2025. This will be a competitive process in which the UK Space Agency expects to award grants in the region of £250,000 to £500,0000.

The of this funding is to:

fund new training programmes, courses, and learning opportunities that directly address short to medium term skills needs in the space sector that are not currently being met

encourage people already in employment in other sectors to access training that will enable them to convert into a UK space sector career

catalyse new training interventions to address the acute mid-careers skills issues the sector faces

The funding available can cover all associated costs related to training interventions, including course design and delivery costs, and course attendance fees.

A notice of a key ESA Space Solutions theme for 2024: Commercial Applications of Space-Enabled Robotics

This funding is looking to combine some of the breakthroughs in robotics (enhanced autonomy, dexterity, and interaction capabilities) with parallel advancements in the space sector meaning that satellite technologies now have the capability to enable novel services utilising robotics.

There will be 6 sub-theme dates through 2024:

Smart Cities and Infrastructure: 1st March 2024 – 1st May 2024

Transportation and Logistics 1st April 2024 – 1st June 2024

Energy and Utilities: 1st May 2024 – 1st July 2024

Health and Safety: 1st June 2024 – 1st September 2024

Maritime: 1st September 2024 – 1st November 2024

Agriculture: 1st October 2024 – 1st December 2024

The joint UK-Canada £1.2 million Aqualunar Challenge is launching to support development of water-purifying technologies for the Moon.

West of England Combined Authority are supporting businesses in the region to explore the benefits from the implementation of digital technologies. Providing access to grant funding, bespoke expertise and guidance for your business as well as skills and training.

The UK Space Agency has announced up to £65 million of funding for ground-breaking innovations that could boost UK leadership in space technologies and applications. The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) will support high-risk, high-reward projects designed by British organisations with the potential to accelerate the development of new space technologies, satellite applications, and services.  

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

The Defence and Security Accelerator find and fund exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively. Check it out for open calls for funding. 

The EO DataHub (EODH) programme has been instigated by UKRI to address challenges around effective exploitation of Earth Observation Data. It represents a first phase of a national asset, supported by the government and specified with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) alongside NERC. The programme is a pathfinder project led by the National Centre for Earth Observation and a partnership of public sector bodies.

ESA's ARTES Core Competitiveness programme helps European and Canadian industry to develop innovative satcom products, services, systems and partnerships.

The South West Investment Fund is the first in a series of new Nations and Regions Investment Funds being launched by the British Business Bank, and it will deliver a £200 million commitment of new funding to the area. The fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West.

Apply for funding: space-related R&D, innovation and education

Details on open funding opportunities from the UK Space Agency, the space sector, academic, education and community partners.

A scheme designed to address key skills gaps faced by the UK space sector, aiming to fund key training opportunities to remove barriers to the sector's growth.

This year, the UK Space Agency is looking to support projects which contribute knowledge relevant to future human and robotic exploration missions.

This is an open call for expressions of interest in delivering future satellite innovation under the Competitiveness and Growth call of the European Space Agency (ESA) ARTES Programme. The envelope of this call is £10 million. 

The purpose of this announcement opportunity is to support academics who have been selected for groups and/or science teams, campaign science groups and other definition work relating to Exploration missions.

This is an ESA-initiated programme offering up to 100% funding for developing early technologies and innovations. Invitations To Tender (ITT) are listed on the ESA website.

Since 2017, the UK has invested €50 million into NavISP to support the UK space PNT sector to innovate the next generation of space-enabled and space-supported navigation products, services and applications.

The UK investment in the programme is available to support UK organisations to undertake technology research and development focused on commercial innovation.

The UK Space Agency is offering support to UK teams selected for ESA microgravity student programmes, including potential funding.

The UK plays a major role in ESA’s Exploration Programme. The UK Space Agency wishes to support the UK exploration community to participate in, and benefit from, our investments in the ESA Exploration programme, and to prepare for participation in exploration missions with partners beyond ESA.

The UK Space Agency understands that there are numerous ideas and opportunities that could boost space exploration as a sector. Small scale funding is available to organisations that require additional support for activities which will benefit the wider UK space exploration community.

The UK Space Agency is looking to provide support to companies and academic institutions across the UK in developing innovative technologies to grow UK capability. We are keen to engage with start-ups and SMEs (from both within and outside the space sector), as well as established companies and organisations. Collaborative proposals are also welcomed.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £2 million in supporting innovation projects. These innovation projects will develop solutions that enable private investors to invest in nature positive projects.

This funding is from Innovate UK and is part of a £7 million Integrating Finance and Biodiversity for a Nature Positive Future (IFB) programme led by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

The aim of this competition is to mobilise significant private investment to scale nature positive solutions. The competition will enable the development, acceleration and commercialisation of innovative solutions. These solutions must enable private investors to confidently invest in nature positive projects.

Our Space Strategy is currently being reviewed to reflect the government strategy and the expanded geographical reach. The West of England Space Strategy still provides useful insights into regional strengths and activities.

Invest Bristol and Bath is the inward investment service for the West of England.  They can provide advice on the following: company introductions, R&D assets and trade associations, property and development sites, international business relocation, clusters and networks, access to regional business support.

The UK Telecoms Innovation Network UKTIN is the innovation network for the UK telecoms sector, bringing together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to catalyse telecoms R&D talent in investment, cooperation and commercialisation. 

This strategy sets out the government’s ambitions for the UK in space, bringing together civil and defence policy for the first time.

The strategy sets out the government’s vision for Defence as a global actor in the space domain.

In September 2021, the government published the National Space Strategy (NSS) – the first ever combined civil-defence strategy for space jointly owned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Satellite Applications Catapult is driving take-up of space technology and applications to shape, and sustain, the world of tomorrow. By connecting industry and academia we get new research off the ground and into the market more quickly.

Satellite Finance Network seeks to bring the growing satellite and space industry together with the financial community offering opportunities for both.

SETsquared is a unique enterprise partnership and a dynamic collaboration between the six leading research-led UK universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. As a world-leading business incubator, we provide a wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes to help turn ideas into thriving businesses.

techSPARK is a not-for-profit community dedicated to strengthen the tech community from Swindon to Swansea by connecting the best people, companies and investors with opportunities for growth

The Space Enterprise Community is a collaboration between the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).