The West of England Space Hub consortium, launched as ‘Space West’ has made its debut at the UK Space Agency’s Ignite Space event, which took place on 7th March, at Aerospace Bristol.
Space West was one of eighteen projects to recently receive funding from the UK Space Agency as part of the levelling-up boost for the UK space sector, funding for new growth, which has been led by the West of England Combined Authority.
Seizing the opportunity to play a leading role in the future success of the space sector and the wider space-enabled economy, the West of England was successfully named as one of seven new Space Hubs established by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) in November 2020.
The funding awarded in February 2023 will build on the work undertaken in the West of England over the past two years to develop a space strategy and regional space hub. Space West will deliver a cluster development programme of activities to support businesses in the space and adjacent space technology sectors.
With the vision to become an internationally recognised space region, engagement with space stakeholders has identified four ‘Grand Ambitions’, which aim to address key challenges in the sector: Space for Climate, Environment and Net Zero, Space Infrastructure, Safety and Sustainability, Space for National Security and Defence, Space for Smarter Local Government. To realise the vision, Grand Ambitions and unlock market opportunities, actions under four strategic pillars will be delivered across the Space West programme, to grow the space sector in the region and achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.
Reinforced by strong endorsement from industry champions, Space West will continue the momentum for the development of an ambitious and timely regional space strategy. The consortium includes the West of England Combined Authority, National Composites Centre, Centre for Modelling and Simulation, University of Bath, University of Bristol and University of the West of England.
As a partner and member of the Space Leadership Group, which governs the Space West programme, CFMS is playing a key role in the strategic development of the cluster. If you would like to know more about how our capabilities can support the space sector contact us today.