Space Park Leicester welcomes new UK Space Strategy
Space Park Leicester has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s new Space Strategy and its ambition to strengthen the UK’s position as a competitive global space power.
The Strategy sets out a long-term approach to 2035 and identifies priority capabilities including Earth Observation (EO), Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM), Space Discovery, defence and national security.
For Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester, the Strategy closely aligns with capabilities built over more than six decades of space research and increasingly translated into innovation, commercial activity, skills and regional economic growth.
William Wells, Chief Executive of Space Park Leicester, said: “We warmly welcome the new UK Space Strategy. It recognises something fundamental: space is no longer a niche activity but critical national infrastructure, an engine of economic growth and an increasingly important component of our national security.
“What is particularly encouraging for us in Leicester is the Strategy’s emphasis on connecting outstanding science with commercialisation, skills and regional growth. That is precisely the model we have been developing at Space Park Leicester.
“Our opportunity now is to help turn the ambitions within this Strategy into delivery – translating world-class research into new technologies and businesses, developing the people the sector needs and ensuring that the economic benefits of the UK’s investment in space are felt across the country.”
Discovery and space engineering, underpinned by world-leading science and instrumentation, are at the heart of Leicester’s space capability.
The University’s expertise in astrophysics, planetary science, instrumentation and space engineering has contributed to major international missions including BepiColombo and SMILE, while Leicester researchers also lead novel mission concepts and support international agencies in defining future satellite systems.
Professor Emma Bunce, Director of the Institute for Space at the University of Leicester and Professor of Planetary Plasma Physics at University of Leicester School of Physics and Astronomy said: “Space has never been more important to our economy, security and everyday lives.
“Through the Institute for Space at Space Park Leicester, we are connecting fundamental discovery with real-world impact.”
Earth Observation is another major area of strength, supporting environmental monitoring, economic activity, national resilience and security. Leicester’s expertise includes the National Centre for Earth Observation, alongside work in environmental science, data analytics and the commercial exploitation of space-derived information.
Professor John Remedios, Executive Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation and Professor of Earth Observational Science at The University of Leicester, said: “Earth Observation is now fundamental to how we understand and respond to changes affecting our planet, our economy and our security.”
Leicester is also developing capability in PNT, Space Domain Awareness and ISAM, bringing together expertise in instrumentation, AI, materials, autonomous systems and space engineering.
The Strategy’s focus on regional clusters strongly reflects Leicester’s role in the development of the UK space economy. The University of Leicester leads both the Midlands Space Cluster and the Midlands Innovation Space Group, while Space Park Leicester anchors Space City Leicester and supports collaboration between research, business, government and investors.
Developing the future workforce will also be critical. Alongside undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, Leicester provides professional training and executive education to support people moving into the space sector from other industries.
The Strategy’s emphasis on defence, security and resilience also aligns with Space Park Leicester’s work in EO, AI, PNT and Space Domain Awareness, and its partnership with AWE.
UK launch capability can also play an important strategic role, particularly where it provides a route to orbit for UK-developed satellites and technologies and supports sovereign capability, security, domestic supply chains and international collaboration.
William Wells added: “Leicester brings together many of the ingredients identified in the Strategy in one place: internationally excellent science, engineering and Earth Observation; businesses and entrepreneurs; specialist facilities; students and skills; defence partnerships; and a growing regional cluster.
“Our ambition is to use that combination to help the UK move from discovery to deployment, and from world-class science to sustainable economic growth.”
To explore Space Park Leicester partnerships, missions, residents, facilities, training programmes and innovation products, visit space-park.co.uk or to learn more about the University of Leicester visit le.ac.uk/.
Main image: Space Park Leicester
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