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. 

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.

Calling all Space academics and businesses in the region. UK Space Agency will be running an ESA bid writing workshop in Bristol on the 1st September. Space West looks forward to welcoming you to the event.  

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.

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

UK Space Agency £20million UK Space Agency Funding to support Aerial connectivity. he Aerial Connectivity Call for Proposals is open from 11 July 2023 until 1 September 2023. Proposals will only be considered if they are submitted within this period.

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. 

UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) is pleased to announce an Open Call for instrument development proposals aimed at significantly accelerating instrument concepts which are new or currently in development.

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.

Boost for broadband and 5G coverage revolution rollout as government explores plan to open £160 million satellites fund.

Under the UKSA's Inspiration Priority, we are making at least £500,000 available* under this scheme during this comprehensive spending review period ending 31 March 2025. Delivering against the National Space Strategy’s ten-point plan, the Agency’s Inspiration delivery priority aims to inspire young people to pursue STEM education and attract talent to the UK space sector.

Proposals are sought for projects in areas including innovation; innovative technology proof of concept that could result in a significant technological step-change; new technology developments; establishing new academic/industrial research collaborations and feasibility studies targeting emerging disruptive technologies. This call is an open call with no specific technology theme.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), to invest up to £4 million in innovation projects. We encourage innovation in, but not limited to, the following fields of emerging technologies: quantum, AI, semiconductor applications, engineering biology, future telecommunications, green technologies
The aim of this competition is to enhance UK and German collaborations and capabilities in the emerging fields of technology in our society. The result being, the developing and delivering of new innovations and applications of the technologies across a broad range of other sectors.

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).