Space West Newsletter - April 2026
Welcome
Welcome to the April edition of our Space West Newsletter. With each newsletter, we aim to share the most recent discoveries, advancements, and stories from the world of Space in the South West.
About Space West
The Space West programme is hosted by NCC and is funded by the UK Space Agency. It is supported by founding partners including the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the Centre for Modelling and Simulation, the University of Bath, the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. Reinforced by strong endorsement from industry champions, the Space Cluster has provided the momentum for the development of an ambitious and timely regional space strategy.
Networking Drinks
Making connections is crucial to better understanding the opportunities that exist within the West’s space sector.
Space West will be hosting networking drinks at the Hole in the Wall, Queen Square Bristol on Tuesday 12th of May starting at 06:30pm.
If you work in, adjacently, or would like to learn more about the West’s space sector -you are invited.
If you would like to join us – please sign up below.
Check out our 'Spotlight' on section to discover stand out companies making waves in the regions space industry. Learn about innovations, achievements, products and contributions to the field.
TRAPPIST-1 e: Spotlight On
Astrophysicists working out of the University of Bristol have been studying an Earth-sized exoplanet (a planet that orbits a star which is not the sun) in hope of proving the existence of liquid water on its surface.
Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e orbits the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 in the habitable zone. This is a key trait scientists look for when considering how to point their searches for extra-terrestrial life. The other key trait that scientists look for is water, which can only exist if an atmosphere is present.
This is where NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) enters the conversation. JWST’s powerful NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instrument was aimed at the system as the exoplanet passed in front of its star. Starlight passing through the planet’s atmosphere, if there is one, will be partially absorbed and the corresponding dips in the light spectrum that reaches JWST tell astronomers what chemicals are found there. With each additional transit, the atmospheric contents become clearer.
Dr Hannah Wakeford, Associate Professor in Astrophysics at the University of Bristol stated: “What we have found with JWST in these first four observations helps refine the earlier Hubble measurements and reveals there might now be hints of an atmosphere, but we cannot yet rule out the possibility there is nothing to detect.”
The research is now in a new phase, with the next set of papers from the follow-up programme expected to be presented late-summer 2026. If you would like to learn more, select 'read more' below.
Cosmic Catch Up
Our most recent Cosmic Catch Up explored the theme of ‘Women in Space’, as we welcomed Kim Lake, Kelly Instrell, Emily Read, and the returning Rebecca Huffee.
It was fantastic and insightful to listen to the different perspectives gathered from a variety of roles and experience across the space sector.
Reflecting on the event, Rebecca Huffee had this to say:
‘It was a pleasure to participate in this month’s Cosmic Catch-Up and discuss the role of women in the space sector. I was struck by how united everyone in room was in the benefits generated by a diverse workforce and that the imbalances we see need to be challenged early to ensure the pipeline of talent coming through achieves this- these solutions are not a one size fits all. It was also great to create a space where people were able to surface small but valuable tools to help everyone feel more recognised and valued in the workplace’.
A key takeaway from the discussion was not only do we need to support young girls in pursuing STEM subjects at school. Moreover, particularly encouraging them to choose engineering fields whilst simultaneously finding ways to improve the support that is available when they reach the workplace.
We would like to say another thank you to our guests, both the speakers and audience contributed greatly to an important discussion.
Our next Cosmic Catch Up will focus on how legal services are now being applied to the space sector, and what you need to be aware of.
If you would like to be in the room, please sign up below.
Cyber Security in the Space Sector - growing capability and threat
The Space Security Roadshow series provided Space West with the opportunity to engage with the space sector on cyber security issues.
As we toured the UK, there is no doubt that the desire from the space industry to address cyber issues exists.
Understanding what to do now, what is coming next, and where to get help is not always clear. The future is not bleak, it just needs to be planned for.
We explore the current threat landscape, what the future holds, and what we can do to progress the cyber security of our organisation in the article linked below.
International Space Day
The celebration lasts a day. The impact of space innovation doesn’t.
International Space Day is often framed around inspiration and exploration. But for industry, space is about delivery — of connectivity, navigation, data, resilience. Systems launched years ago underpin decisions being made right now.
Across space engineering, we design for extreme environments. Vacuum. Radiation. Distance. Yet the real lesson of space isn’t technical — it’s cultural. Long‑term thinking. Disciplined execution. Collaboration that spans borders and decades.
The missions being planned today will operate in conditions we can’t fully predict. That uncertainty is exactly why space demands rigor early, not optimism later. Design in resilience. Test assumptions. Plan beyond first success.
The UK has the capability. The skills exist. The ambition is clear. What matters now is consistency — applying the same seriousness to future‑focused innovation as we do to near‑term delivery.
Space rewards those who prepare.
On International Space Day, that’s the mindset worth celebrating.
ESA Bid Writing
The UK Space Agency and KI Bid Consulting are returning with their second workshop zooming in on the ESA Bid Writing process.
After the success of ESA 101, this workshop promises to give you clear, practical, and beneficial guidance on how you can navigate writing ESA bids.
The event details are:
- 9am until 5pm
- Friday 15th May
- The Bristol Hotel, Prince St, Bristol BS1 4QF
The benefits of ESA Funding can be instrumental to businesses, and knowing how to speak their language could be key to accessing this funding.
Do not worry if you missed ESA 101, KI Bid Consulting have produced some useful guides that can help bring you up to speed: Opportunities and Resources | NCCUK
If you would like to be in the room, please sign up below.
Engineering Magazine’s next Space Technology - Space Clusters Special Edition - Editorial contributions
Engineering Magazine is preparing its next Space Technology special edition, focused on the UK Space Clusters and their partners, member organisations and key stakeholders.
They would welcome editorial contributions for their Space Clusters Special Edition which will focus on the available technology and expertise, case studies and projects being worked on together with the supply chain.
There are also a number of marketing options that include full and half page ads plus online and e-newsletter content available.
For details and deadlines on contributing an editorial feature and the marketing options available, please email Steve Welch, Editor, Engineering Magazine.