University of Surrey Launches new Surrey Space Institute in the Space South Central Region
The UK’s thriving £18.6 billion space economy is a powerful driver of both national prosperity and regional opportunity - yet the sector faces urgent calls for innovation, agile research, and critically, a fresh wave of skilled talent. Over half (52%) of UK space organisations are continuing to report severe skills shortages, underlining why Space South Central welcomes the launch of the new Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey as a transformative step for the region and the UK.
With much of the Institute’s work rooted locally, there is a strong commitment to helping regional small space companies scale up and to giving more people the training they need for high-tech jobs in the South Central economy. Employment in the wider UK space sector has continued to rise, with the latest figures showing approximately 55,550 full-time equivalent roles, an increase of 7% over the previous year, with many of these opportunities concentrated in clusters like Space South Central. The Surrey Space Institute’s pledge to train 10% of the nation’s future space workforce is especially significant given the continuing skills gap, offering new high-value opportunities for local people and reinforcing the region’s vital role in the national space supply chain.
For more than four decades, Surrey has been a regional powerhouse in satellite innovation. The journey began at the Surrey Space Centre, rooted in Guildford and driven by the pioneering vision of Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, whose work reshaped the space industry from within the borders of Surrey. Sir Martin would go on to found Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), a spin-out from the university that not only changed how satellites are built worldwide but also brought £1 billion in satellite exports directly into the UK, with much of that innovation seeded in local laboratories and businesses.
Sir Martin Sweeting reflected on the region’s remarkable journey:
“When we began work on small satellites more than four decades ago, few believed they could have any serious impact. Today, they're central to how we explore and understand our world. The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is an exciting new chapter that captures that same entrepreneurial spirit as when we started the Space Centre. But it also reflects a much bigger ambition – to shape how the UK delivers space-based solutions to the challenges we face here on Earth. That means training new kinds of experts, working across disciplines and building systems that are sustainable, inclusive and ready for global deployment.”
This legacy forms the bedrock of the Surrey Space Institute, which now aims to convert the region’s expertise into mission-ready solutions for climate resilience, sustainable operations, and secure global connectivity. Under the leadership of Professor Bob Nichol, the Institute draws together world-class research and teaching from across engineering, telecoms, cybersecurity, biosciences, law, and more. This truly interdisciplinary regional effort is designed to ensure Surrey and its surrounding communities remain at the forefront of space technology and policy, reaching not just national and international stakeholders, but also the local workforce and the regional small businesses that are part of the fast-evolving Space South Central cluster.
Professor Adam Amara, inaugural Director of the Institute and Chief Scientist to the UK Space Agency, explained:
“Space is no longer a frontier activity; it is already a critical national and international infrastructure underpinning everything from climate security to high-speed connectivity. By uniting Surrey's 45-year leadership in small satellites with cutting-edge AI and cyber-resilience, the Surrey Space Institute will give the UK the decisive capability it needs to stay ahead in the global space race and to solve complex problems at home and around the world.”
Professor Tim Dunne, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, underscored the local impact:
“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is a clear step towards delivering our Vision 2041 strategy – bringing together excellent research, industry partnerships and real-world impact. While we are setting our sights on national and global impact, our Institute will continue to play a key role in our local economy through our leadership in the Space South Central cluster, where we help to drive growth in one of the UK's most dynamic regional economies. This means more skilled jobs, more opportunities for local businesses, and more reasons for young people to see a future for themselves in space.”
Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, captured the national and local significance when he said:
“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute represents exactly the kind of bold, forward-thinking approach we need to maintain the UK's position as a leader in space. Surrey's remarkable 45-year track record in small satellites, combined with its vision to tackle real-world challenges from climate resilience to space sustainability, demonstrates how academic excellence can drive both economic growth and societal benefit. As we work to deliver the Government's space ambitions, partnerships like this – bringing together world-class research, industry expertise and skills development – are essential to ensuring the UK space sector continues to thrive and deliver for our economy, our security and our planet.”
By anchoring innovation, advanced skills, and new career pathways in Space South Central, the Surrey Space Institute ensures that the benefits of the UK’s space ambitions are felt most keenly in and around Surrey, making the region a vibrant hub at the heart of Britain’s space future.
