‘Expanding Space – Scottish region to lead on space sector growth’
The West of Scotland Space Cluster, the newest addition to the UK’s thriving ecosystem of regional space clusters, is launched today ahead of Space-Comm Expo Scotland at SEC Glasgow 11-12 September, one of the year’s biggest UK space industry events.
The region is a key hub in the Scottish space sector, operating at the forefront of a European revolution in spacecraft systems, payload manufacture, launch (upstream) and data analysis (downstream) activity. Space companies such as AAC Clyde Space and Spire Global have led the way, building more satellites in Glasgow than any other city in Europe, with other players such as Craft Prospect and Alba Orbital introducing further innovation in the global small satellites market.
Aligned with the regional space clusters operating across the UK, the West of Scotland Space Clusters incorporates industry, universities and colleges, as well as economic development and support organisations, aiming to capitalise and expand on existing regional strengths in space technologies. The region’s capability extends from small satellite design, manufacture and mission capability and advanced space data-driven services to leading-edge R&D in fields such as quantum, photonics, communications and AI. It is widely acknowledged that the growth of the West of Scotland Space Cluster companies will be critical in helping Scotland achieve its ambition of securing £4 billion of the global space market by 2030.
Craig Clark MBE, space entrepreneur, the founder of AAC Clyde Space and a Professor of Practice in the University of Strathclyde’s space cluster, said that the new cluster would help drive regional growth, combining pioneering research, industry innovation and manufacturing facilities to provide the foundation for Scotland’s emerging end-to-end capability in the European small satellite value chain.
“With SaxaVord Spaceport now operating as the first fully-licensed vertical launch Spaceport in Europe, the West of Scotland has a pivotal role to play in the delivery of the country’s end-to-end capability and helping to attract international companies to set up operations here as we have recently seen with the South African CubeSat imaging company, Simera Sense.
“From a standing start in 2005, Scotland now has one of the fastest-growing space sectors in the world, fuelled by global excellence in space-related research and a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship in engineering. The aim of the West of Scotland Space Cluster is to grease the wheels of the continued growth of the sector in the region and help make Scotland a leading global space player.”
John Ward, Senior Director of Research & Development at Spire Global, which designs and builds the world’s largest multipurpose satellite constellation in Glasgow, said that the new cluster would serve as a platform for greater connectivity and collaboration between the region’s key players.
“Spire Global has manufactured over 175 satellites right here in Glasgow, where the majority of our R&D efforts take place. This new space cluster will enhance collaboration and connectivity among regional players, accelerating innovation and creating a more integrated supply chain. By fostering this ecosystem, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and cement the West of Scotland as a leading hub in the global space industry.”
Andrew Strain, Chief Technology Officer at AAC Clyde Space, added that the cluster’s new advisory group would be focused on actions that drive growth across a region which stretches all the way to the Prestwick, home to Scotland's largest aerospace hub: “The West of Scotland has amassed an incredible amount of capability in the space industry over the past two decades, particularly in small satellite design and manufacturing. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Scotland’s first satellite UKube-1, built by Clyde Space Ltd, now part of AAC Clyde Space.
“In the following decade, Scotland has gone from never having launched a satellite to building more than anywhere else in Europe. Satellites and systems designed and built here account for hundreds of years of accumulated on-orbit heritage - very few places in the world can claim that. Through the West of Scotland Space Cluster, we have to opportunity to maintain and grow our admirable position in this innovative section of the space industry.”
Antonia Yendell, Head of the Space Ecosystem team at the UK Space Agency said: “The UK Space Agency strongly supports and is investing in the growth of the Scottish Space Economy. The UK Space Ecosystem is a competitive advantage for the UK Space Sector and Scotland plays a critical role in our thriving and interconnected cluster network, developing our national capabilities and driving economic growth.”
ENDS
Press Release Contact details:
Craig Clark (Cluster co-chair): 07866 312 221
Darran Gardner (Cluster manager): 07971 667 424
Contact email: darran@westofscotland.space
West of Scotland Space Cluster Advisory Group members pictured:
Image 1 (left to right): Alan Thompson, Head of Government Affairs at Skyrora/ John Charlick, Head of Operations at Craft Prospect/ Andrew Strain, Chief Technology Officer at AAC Clyde Space/ Craig Clark MBE, Co-chair of West of Scotland Space Cluster
Image 2 (left to right): John Charlick, Head of Operations at Craft Prospect/ Andrew Chief Technology Officer at AAC Clyde Space/ Alan Thompson, Head of Government Affairs at Skyrora/ Craig Clark MBE, Co-chair of West of Scotland Space Cluster.
NOTES:
1) Space-Comm Expo Scotland at SEC Glasgow, 11-12 September. Space-Comm Expo Scotland will be the biggest space industry event ever held in Scotland attracting over 3,000 delegates, 70 exhibitors and 100 speakers including Ministers from the UK and Scottish Government, UK Space Agency and European Space Agency. The inaugural event will welcome global leaders, international delegations and industry experts from across government, aerospace, defence, business and academia to explore new frontiers for a new global space economy driven by government and commercial collaboration and rapid advances in technology. There are currently an estimated 10,000 satellites in orbit and 50,000 predicted by 2030. The dynamic growth of the sector is estimated at $1.8 trillion by 2035 by the World Economic Forum. Registration is FREE to attend via: https://space-comm-scotland.co.uk
2) The new West of Scotland Space Cluster will form part of the UK Space Ecosystem which is designed to support the space sector by providing funding and business support to high impact, locally-led Clusters across all regions of the UK. Supported by funding from the UK Space Agency and with ecosystem management provided by the Satellite Applications Catapult, there are now 16 space clusters across the UK: one each in Wales and Northern Ireland, three in Scotland and 11 across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. https://sa.catapult.org.uk/cluster-directory/
3) The cluster’s advisory group is made up of representatives from the following companies/ organisations: AAC Clyde Space, Spire Global, Craft Prospect, Skyrora, Jacobs, Space Scotland, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Glasgow, ADS Scotland, Satellite Applications Catapult, Prestwick Aerospace and Scottish Enterprise.
4) Technologies produced in Scotland are at the cutting edge of science in the space sector. According to the 2024 Annual Size and Health of the UK Space Industry report, space firms headquartered in Scotland bring in over £254m and about 12% of those working on British space projects do so in Scotland, employed by almost 200 companies. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2023/size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2023#future-growth-potential
5) Total UK space industry income was £18.9bn. Despite a decrease of £142m (0.7%) from 2020/21, medium-term sector growth remains strong with income increasing by £503m (+2.7%) since 2018/19. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2023/size-and-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2023#future-growth-potential
Relevant URLs:
West of Scotland Space Cluster website: www.westofscotland.space
AAC Clyde Space www.aac-clyde.space
Skyrora www.skyrora.com
Spire Global www.spire.com
Craft Prospect www.craftprospect.com
Alba Orbital www.albaorbital.com
UK Space Agency https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
Comments