Leading UK space cluster relocates to Airbus Portsmouth
Space South Central’s office at Airbus, Portsmouth
The move signals Space South Central’s ambition to strengthen collaboration across industry, academia and government to reinforce the UK’s role in the global space sector.
Space South Central, one of the UK’s largest regional space clusters, has relocated its offices to Airbus in Portsmouth, further strengthening its role at the heart of the region’s thriving space industry. The cluster was formerly based at Portsmouth Technopole.
The move places Space South Central, which represents the space industry across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight, at a site with a 70-year heritage in advanced electronics and satellite innovation. Since the 1950s, Airbus Portsmouth, previously known as GEC, Marconi and Astrium, has been a key player in the UK’s space industry, producing leading technology for secure communications, navigation, and Earth observation.
By co-locating with Airbus, Space South Central strengthens its mission to bring businesses, academia, and government together, ensuring the region remains a powerhouse of innovation, collaboration, and investment. The cluster connects more than 200 organisations and four regional universities—Portsmouth, Southampton, Surrey, and UCL— generating around £2 billion in space-related income and supporting over 14,000 jobs across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.
Louise Butt, Director of Space South Central, said: “Our new base at Airbus Portsmouth reflects both our heritage and our future. This site has been at the forefront of satellite technology for decades and continues to drive world-class innovation. Space South Central is here to build on that legacy, to connect businesses large and small, and to ensure our region remains at the centre of the UK’s space ambitions.”
Sam Doody, Head of Site, Airbus Defence and Space Portsmouth, said: “It’s great to welcome Space South Central to Airbus in Portsmouth and we look forward to further strengthening our ties with other cutting edge space businesses across the region.”
Space South Central’s achievements highlight the importance of the UK space cluster network. Its Space Software, Data and AI CPD Course is tackling the critical shortage of software, data, and AI skills within the space sector.
As the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy recognises, clusters and place-based initiatives are vital to achieving sustainable national growth, especially in key sectors such as Space. Initiatives such as the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan demonstrate how regional innovation hubs, like Space South Central, can boost productivity, attract investment, and deliver impact at scale.
The cluster also contributes directly to the UK’s defence, security, and resilience objectives, by supporting sovereign capability, secure communications, and advanced space technology critical to national and global resilience.
From its new location, Space South Central will continue to drive growth, foster innovation, and secure international partnerships that benefit both the region and the wider national economy.
