Lift off for Southampton Space Institute
Space South Central academic partner, the University of Southampton, has announced the launch of Southampton Space Institute to drive the development of new space technology, policy and space sustainability.
Building on the university’s 65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics and astronautics, Southampton Space Institute brings together its world-renowned research groups and facilities to interact with government agencies and industry.
Professor Matt Middleton, Southampton Space Institute’s inaugural Director, said: “The UK space industry is now supporting around 50,000 jobs and contributing billions to our economy. It needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation, create new jobs and companies, and ensure that space is sustainable in the long term.
Prof Mark Sullivan presenting at the launch of Southampton Space Institute at Space Comm Expo Europe in London
“We will be drawing on our expertise in electronics, fundamental science, astronautics, artificial intelligence and many others, to enrich the UK space industry and support the national space strategy.”
Former European Space Agency exploration director and UKSA CEO, Professor David Parker, who worked with Professor Middleton to set up Southampton Space Institute, said: "Our vision is to drive sustainable, local and national economic growth by becoming one of the top UK universities for space education, novel space science, technology, and applications of space data here on Earth.
“The university has some unique strengths, and we are working on exciting initiatives that will come to fruition across the next few years – watch this space.”
University of Southampton scientists were recently awarded more than a million pounds through the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). The funding will be used to develop a plasma torch system – simulating the extreme thermal conditions spacecraft face during re-entry – and a sustainable water-based propulsion system for satellites.
Left to right: Prof Mark Sullivan, Prof David Parker, Prof Minkwan Kim, Frances Clarke, Prof Andrea Cammarano and Institute director Prof Matt Middleton
The University of Southampton is one of Space South Central’s four academic partners, alongside the universities of Portsmouth, Surrey and UCL.
The cluster’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, Dr Elizabeth Clutton, who works closely with all four universities, said: “The University of Southampton has a long-established track record working with industry, academia and government agencies to drive space innovation.
“Southampton Space Institute is great news for both the region and the UK space sector and will make it easier for businesses to collaborate and engage with the university’s vast array of space expertise and facilities.”
