Region’s 70-year space heritage in the spotlight
World Space Week (4-10 October) may be drawing to a close, but Space South Central is keeping the spotlight on space with the launch of 70 Years Shaping the Future of Space, a campaign highlighting South Central England’s remarkable heritage and contributions to the global space industry.
Space South Central, one of the UK’s largest space clusters, representing space-related organisations in Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight, unveiled a new webpage showcasing space milestones from 1955 to 2025. Space industry organisations in the region can also use the campaign logo in their own marketing materials to celebrate their role in Shaping the Future of Space.
Starting in 1955, when Isle of Wight company, Saunders Roe, Farnborough-based Royal Aircraft Establishment and Space South Central partner, UCL, began work on Britain’s first rocket programme, the project charts the evolution of a thriving space industry now worth in excess of £2 billion annually, comprising 210 businesses and employing around 14,000 people.
Strong collaborative relationships between industry and academia are a key factor behind many of the region’s achievements over the past 70 years – and its continued success. Since its inception as the South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Communications in 2016, Space South Central has been pivotal in fostering these partnerships.
The cluster’s academic partners – the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton, University of Surrey and UCL – each have a worldwide reputation for space expertise, research and innovation. They, and many of the region’s businesses, some of which started as university spin-outs, have been integral to international space missions, developing technology and equipment, and expanding global understanding of Earth and the Universe.
During the past 70 years, it’s no surprise that the Space South Central region has become home to aerospace giants such as Airbus and BAE Systems and specialist overseas companies looking for a location for their UK or European HQs. With the cluster’s extensive industry links and Space South Central’s universities offering world-class facilities and support, the area is also popular with start-ups and scale-ups.
Dr Louise Butt, Director of the Space South Central Enterprise Network, said: “Innovations and expertise from Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight – from rocket development in the 1950s, to tackling modern issues like space debris – have delivered worldwide impact and made a significant contribution to the local and UK economy.
“Showcasing our region’s rich space heritage and the sector’s remarkable growth over the past 70 years demonstrates to UK and international partners that we offer a proven track record and robust network, making us an ideal location for investment and collaboration.”
Doug Liddle, Chair of national trade body UKspace, itself based in Hampshire, said: “The Space South Central region has been a cradle of innovation for our sector for 70 years now. It has some of the UK's largest space businesses rubbing shoulders with a vibrant innovative supply chain and exciting, innovative start-ups.
“Space South Central's melting pot of industry, academia and access to finance provides an exemplar of the ideal ecosystem for innovation and growth in the UK space sector.”
While 70 Years Shaping the Future of Space celebrates the past, it also aims to inspire the future. As thousands of young people settle into a new academic year, Space South Central’s heritage shows that a career in space is not an unrealistic dream. Dr Louise Butt said: “If you aspire to work in the space sector, our region is full of opportunities: every milestone on our timeline involved teams of people with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds.
“Today, we have more than 200 space industry employers and four world-class universities working with businesses, schools and colleges to equip people with the skills we need for the next 70 years, and beyond.”
Going forward, Space South Central plans for the online timeline to grow and evolve through contributions from organisations in the region and from the public. Dr Louise Butt said: “Perhaps you’re a local historian or space enthusiast, or maybe you worked on a project you think should be added: we’d love to hear from you.”
To explore Space South Central’s 70 Years Shaping the Future of Space, visit spacesouthcentral.com/our-space-heritage, and if there’s something you’d like to add to the space milestones timeline, contact info@spacesouthcentral.com.
