Space West Newsletter - February 2026
Welcome
Welcome to the February 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.
Space West LinkedIn
While Space West has been active on LinkedIn before, we’re excited to share that we now have a dedicated page of our own – Space West UK.
Follow us to stay up to date with the latest news, events and opportunities across our growing space community.
Spotlight on...
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. This month we’re showcasing Mecha, who were recently invited to the Clean Aviation Call-4 event.
February saw Mecha fly to Brussels, Belgium to attend the competitive Clean Aviation Call 4 event. They had been selected to pitch at the event and give a representation of the incredible work they do, as part of the Clean Aviation Annual Forum (CAAF).
CAAF is the premier European summit dedicated to pioneering climate-neutral flight. Held annually, it brings together EU policymakers, aerospace giants, and research leaders to accelerate the development of hydrogen-powered, hybrid-electric, and ultra-efficient aircraft.
Mecha is an innovation driven research and development solutions provider, delivering advanced engineering services across the aerospace and defence sectors.
Their headquarters are situated in the Bristol & Bath Science Park. Their presence at the Clean Aviation Call 4 Event represents a major success for the West’s space sector.
Space Comm
Space West will be at Space Comm London from 4-5 March as part of a regional pavilion representing the West of England. We’ll be sharing the pavilion with:
You can find us in Halls S10-12 on stand D9. If you’d like to arrange meeting with Space West, please contact Cluster Manager, Matt Wills by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].
ESA Workshops
The European Space Agency (ESA) are the largest single source of space sector funding in Europe.
Space West have again teamed up with KI Bid Consulting to host two focused workshops to help your company better understand the ESA.
The first is ESA 101, an introduction to how ESA operates its budgets, programmes, procurement processes and routes to engagement.
- Time: 09:30 – 14:00
- Date: Thursday, March 12th
- Location: The Bristol Hotel
Following this is ESA Bid Writing, A practical session designed to strengthen your understanding of ESA proposal development and bidding requirements.
Event details TBC
Please register for ESA 101 via the button below.
A link for ESA Bid Writing registration will be available soon.
Space Security Roadshow
Space West is hosting two editions of the Space Security Roadshow in March, as we travel to Belfast and London. The details for each event can be found below.
Belfast:
- Time: 09:30am until 12:30pm
- Date: Thursday, 19th of March
- Location: Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT
Please Register for the event here: Space Security Roadshow Registration | Belfast | NCCUK
London:
- Time: 13:00-16:00
- Date: Wednesday, 25th of March
- Location: UCL IDEALondon, 69 Wilson St, London EC2A 2BB
Please register for the event here: Space Security Roadshow Registration | London | NCCUK
Our London show is part of a joint event with Space South Central, who are also hosting an ExtraOrdinary Orbit prior. This will be on the same day and at the same location, running from 11:00 until 12:30.
Inspiring the next generation of space professionals
Space West recently supported a STEM careers event at We the Curious in Bristol hosted by the National Space Academy.
We had great conversations with the students and they asked really though-provoking questions. It was fantastic to connect with the future innovators that the West has to offer.
A huge thank you to the organisers of the event and of course the students that made the day so valuable. Events like this remind us just how important STEM engagement is in shaping the future of the UK space industry.
We are excited to keep supporting the West’s space ecosystem and inspire the next generation.
