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. 

The CySpace Connected Capability Network is working to strengthen the resilience and security of the UK Space Sector. 

When: 10am-11am | Thursday 12th December 2024
Where: Online

This webinar is your opportunity to learn more about the CySpace programme, including its aims, scope, and how you can contribute. Hosted by the CySpace Project team in collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult, we’ll explore key areas of development for the UK and share how stakeholders can engage.

Be part of shaping the future of the UK Space Sector - register today to secure your spot and receive the webinar link!

Join us to ensure your organisation is equipped to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving space environment and to safeguard the integrity of critical space systems.

Our first event will be taking place in Bristol on Tuesday 14 January 2025 from 10.00am-4.00pm. We'll be hosting events nationwide. Stay tuned for workshop dates and locations near you!

Today (24th September 2024) marks the launch of the third Satellite Applications Catapult-funded Connected Capability Network (CCN) which aims to unite communities across the UK, enabling them to harness the benefits of satellite data and space technology.

The CySpace CCN, led by Space West Cluster, will advance the reach and impact of satellite data and space technology across the UK, particularly regarding the security of space assets that impact our lives on Earth. 

Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Manager and James Graham, Chief Engineer, Adoption and Innovations Services, at the NCC will at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen on the South West Space Partnership stand.

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! 

Join Space West at the Bath Digital Festival on Thursday 16 May, 2024, where Rebecca Huffee, Space West Cluster Manager, will be sharing insights on two compelling panels:

In April we headed over to Colorado to take part in our very first Space Symposium. With both UK companies and international players in attendance, there was ample opportunity to showcase the potential of the UK’s largest space technology cluster to a global market – and make some valuable connections in the meantime.

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. 

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.

Learn more about the CySpace Connected Capability Network and register your interest. 

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.  

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

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).