Space Scotland

Scotland accounts for nearly 20% of all UK space sector employment and is the largest producer of small satellites in Europe. With several spaceports under development, Scotland is poised to offer a full end-to-end solution for satellite design, manufacture, launch, and application of satellite data, becoming a strategic location and European leader for commercial space developments.

North Coast Space Cluster

With strengths in aerospace, hydrogen energy systems, and precision engineering, as well as proximity to protected airspace and expansive maritime zones, the North Coast Space Cluster is building the foundation for a sovereign launch and tracking ecosystem with global reach. Furthermore, with strategic spaceport positions offering polar and sun-synchronous orbits, coupled with subsea fibre-optic landing stations, the region offers a unique gateway for integrating terrestrial and orbital data networks.

Northern Ireland has developed world-class capability in areas such as advanced sensors, predictive analytics, and cyber security. With a strong heritage in aerospace and advanced materials, the region is increasingly applying its expertise to upstream space systems, satellite components, and resilient communications. Key academic and industrial assets are enabling cross-sector innovation in propulsion, space surveillance, telecommunications, AI, and quantum technologies.

The North East space cluster consists of more than 50 experienced companies, a workforce of almost 1,400 people supported by a yearly pool of over 50,000 STEM graduates, and income generated of more than £113 million annually. With a strong heritage of engineering excellence from a vibrant history as a centre for the manufacturing and maritime industries, the region marches on as a pioneer in optical communications and a significant contributor to pivotal space missions like the James Webb Telescope.

Established in 2021 and hosted at the University of Leeds, Space Hub Yorkshire has identified over 140 companies and more than 50 research institutions with active involvement or interest in space across satellite data, secure telecoms, and advanced manufacturing.

Home to the UK’s largest defence manufacturing ecosystem and is home to the National Cyber Force, a major GCHQ presence, and the Hartree Centre – which houses the UK’s most powerful supercomputer dedicated to industrial R&D. As the birthplace of graphene, the North West also offers world-leading expertise in advanced materials, including radiation-hardened materials and nuclear technologies critical to deep space missions.

The Midland Space Cluster is a UK leader in SDA, space science, Earth observation, and advanced space engineering, with emerging opportunities in ISAM, as well as connectivity and secure communications. The Midlands has been at the forefront of UK space technology ever since the industry was in its infancy. A Midlands-made instrument was first launched into space on board a Skylark sounding rocket in 1961, a mere 4 years after the launch of the world's first artificial satellite. Since 1967, there has been at least one piece of Midlands-made equipment orbiting in space every year.

Space East is the UK’s newest space cluster, anchored by strengths in telecommunications, radar, Earth observation, and marine systems. With links to defence, energy, and agri-tech sectors, the region is developing a diverse and commercially focused space economy. The East is also a patron of over 25% of national offshore wind resources, as well as a home to important assets such as BT’s Adastral Park, the Norwich Research Park, OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft, and the UK’s busiest container port at Felixstowe.

Hosting nearly 500 businesses across space data & aerospace, as well as Europe’s first licenced horizontal launch site and the world’s most capable commercial satellite ground station, Cornwall is rapidly becoming a world leading technology destination for businesses.

Space South Central is one of the largest regional space clusters in the UK. Launched in 2022, the region benefits from over 50 years of satellite and launch systems expertise, bringing together over 210 organisations. The region also employs approximately 14,000 space professionals and brings in a space income exceeding £2.8 billion, with export revenues around £1.1 billion.

The West of England has long been a leader of innovation, from Brunel and Concorde to the pioneering application of haptic technology in virtual reality. Home to over 250 space-related organisations – the third largest by population within the UK – the cluster has seen a 34% growth in income since 2018/19. The region also boasts around 1,500 advanced manufacturing companies and more than 28,000 aerospace professionals, providing a robust supply chain for the space sector.

The Harwell Space Cluster forms an integral part of the UK’s Space Sector, having grown into a dynamic ecosystem of over 100 space organisations that employ more than 1,600 people. The campus boasts £3 billion in scientific infrastructure including 14 national facilities, one of which is RAL space, who hold more than 60 years of expertise and a portfolio of over 210 space instruments. Notably, the newly opened National Satellite Test Facility offers comprehensive satellite testing services, enhancing the UK's capabilities in satellite development and deployment.

Space Wales’ 85+ members span a wide range of space-related capabilities across industry and academia, including Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Defence, Earth Observation, Launch & Propulsion, Optics & Photonics and Secure & Resilient Communications, wrangling a turnover of around £225m in 2023 alone. The space ecosystem in Wales includes an environment suited for spaceplane operations, advanced optical tracking and telemetry, as well as 7100 sqkm of segregated airspace with no ceiling.

Building upon a legacy of over 50 years in rocket propulsion research and home to the UK's only national rocket test facility, Westcott has evolved into a hub for cutting-edge technologies, including in-orbit servicing, advanced propulsion systems, and autonomous operations.