The UK space industry generates an income of around £16bn annually, growing by 5% every year.
In the last decade, it has transformed into one of the UK’s fastest growing industrial sectors.
Are you wondering how you can exploit this?
Whether you’re a space start-up, a high-growth SME or multi-national organisation, we have the breadth and depth of expertise to support your growth journey.
We give space businesses access to world-leading knowledge, unique facilities and the networks they need to succeed.
Work directly with STFC's world-leading scientists and engineers
Testing raw materials is crucial for ensuring that parts produced for space can withstand harsh conditions. We're undertaking a full cycle of raw material procurement, tesing, sample manufacturing, post-processing and comprehensive sample testing.
Andrew Conley, Additive Manufacturing Engineer, STFC on testing and validating space technology for the Advanced Materials Testing Laboratory
For businesses looking to validate materials for use in space missions, the Science and Technology Facilities Council in partnership with the European Space Agency, offers expertise and test services in our Advanced Materials Testing Laboratory
For innovation to happen, the important thing is to get bright people in the same room having conversations about the projects they’re passionate about. We were very impressed with what STFC's space engineers had achieved, and it was exciting that Razorbill Instruments could offer one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to help them realize the huge potential of their nanosatellite. This project is a great example of the great outcomes that can be sparked by a chance encounter over a cup of tea"
Alex Ward, Razorbill Instruments - Collaboration between Razorbill Instruments and STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre could deliver crisp images of the Earth through nanosatellites
Being a part of the community has been a fantastic experience to develop our Forwards Looking Imager and ROKS mission payload, establish links with the exciting space tech groups in Scotland, and to learn from a network of entrepreneurial scientists and engineers. The engineering models were developed here and the opportunity to talk over ideas, including with the Royal Observatory staff such as in the case of CubeSat optics, was invaluable.
Cassandra Mercury, Craft Prospect on the Higgs Centre for Innovation
Harness the power of the UK’s most advanced space and science facilities, along with technology and hardware
Given RAL Space's experience in ensuring industry and academia can gain access to our own facilities, I'm really pleased to be supporting the National Space Propulsion Test Facility and look forward to welcoming and facilitating safe access for its first customers this year"
Robert Elliott, Head of Business Development, STFC's RAL Space on the new National Space Propulsion Test Facility.
The only facility of its kind in the UK - the National Space Propulsion Test Facility is now open. The centre will allow UK companies to test state-of-the-art propulsion engines used to move small satellites in space at a more affordable rate than going overseas.
The UK Space Agency has worked with the European Space Agency, STFC's RAL Space and NAMMO UK to develop the new satellite propulsion test facility.
We are well on our way to opening our doors to the space sector. Large satellites require at least six months of testing before they’re launched and this becomes longer and more expensive if all the test equipment is in different places. It’s fantastic to see the test equipment shaping up under one roof. The space sector in the UK is thriving and we’re looking forward to offering this one-stop-shop to support the development of larger and more advanced spacecraft in the UK"
Professor Chris Mutlow, STFC's RAL Space on the National Satellite Test Facility
We are extremely excited that ColKa is being brought into service. This system is our first flight system developed through MDA UK, and we now have equipment for another seven flight missions, including four lunar systems, under development in Harwell. ColKa will bring tremendous benefit to all our ESA astronauts, scientists and projects."
David Kenyon, Managing Director at MDA UK, which designed and built ColKa using STFC's RAL Space clean rooms
A major step forward for Britain's contribution to the International Space Station. The ColKa antenna built by MDA UK has recently been installed to provide high-speed connection with Earth.
We used the shaker table to do the ‘vibe’ or vibration testing – which is necessary to test and qualify for ‘flight worthiness’. What is great about the facilities at the Higgs Centre for Innovation is that all of the equipment is located within an ISO 7 cleanroom – so it means you can leave ‘stuff’ out, without worrying about contamination – which is particularly important for space kit.
Tom Walkinshaw, CEO, Alba Orbital on accessing STFC's space hardware testing facilities available to SMEs at the Higgs Centre for Innovation
A satellite’s journey into space is a violent affair. Not only does the delicate instrumentation inside need to withstand the extreme vibrations of launch, they also go through a series of short, sharp shocks as the spacecraft separates from the rocket.
AlbaPod V2 is the most robust light-weight PocketQube deployer with flight heritage. By verifying the AlbaPod can resist large shock accelerations this has enabled us to qualify the product for a greater range of launch vehicles"
Tom Walkinshaw, CEO, Alba Orbital on Pyroshock, the latest addition to STFC RAL Space's satellite test capabilities. The new system simulates the explosive jolts experienced as a craft is delivered into orbit.
We have access to modern state-of-the art labs, on-site, to build and test our tech – which is great. The site location too gives us access to thought-leading experts in their field. Astronomers and engineers here design and build cutting-edge instruments for the world’s most advanced telescopes on land and in space"
Lorenzo Conti, Crover - based at Royal Observatory Edinburgh, the site is also home to STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC).
We operate across the UK. Our clusters in Harwell, Edinburgh and Daresbury allow for local delivery to businesses with global ambitions.
I backed the bid for a North West space hub because of its incredible potential to level up our economy. The space sector in the UK is already worth £15 billion a year, based on digital and advanced manufacturing, where we have internationally-recognised strengths"
Steve Rotherham, Metro Mayor, Liverpool City Region - The North West is set to play a more significant role in the rapidly expanding multi-billion pound UK space sector, thanks to government backing for a north-west ‘space hub’. STFC will lead the project on behalf of the North West working closely with the UK Space Agency and key partners.
Clusters are an effective mechanism to drive innovation, enable collaboration and enhance commercialisation of research to deliver economic impact"
Joanna Hart, Harwell Space Cluster Development Manager
Open new markets, join accelerator programmes, secure funding from investors and meet with key bodies from across the globe
Being part of STFC’s community is really useful for us as we have access to business development support and advice, as well as a network of innovative companies and facilities across the UK”
Lorenzo Conti, Crover - Alumnus of the ESA Business Incubation Centre United Kingdom (ESA BIC UK), managed by STFC
Entocycle is a first-class example of how space technology can be applied to address one of the most important global challenges we currently face – how to feed the world without harming our planet. It is fantastic to know that the ESA BIC UK, part of the world’s largest business incubation programme for space tech start-ups, was able to provide the right environment and support to play a part in the early development of this world-changing technology"
Dr Sue O'Hare, STFC/ESA BIC UK
Unlocking growth for space businesses
If you want to find out more, speak to our team
#SpaceAtSTFC