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EM3 space sector will help tackle climate change and revive the regional economy

Last updated 06 May 2021
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EM3 Space and Satellite

EM3’s space industry ecosystem is finding solutions to global challenges such as climate change and supporting the UK’s net zero targets and economic revival in the region post COVID-19.

EM3 was the only Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), among six other organisations, to have been awarded a grant by the Government’s Space Agency to develop the strengths of the UK’s space sector. 

An action plan has been published by the Space Hub Consortium for the EM3 area outlining how partnership and collaboration between the sector, academia and other major industries such as aerospace, immersive reality, AI, 5G, Animal Medtech, Net Zero technologies and maritime, are supporting the commercialisation of innovation. The Consortium is an alliance of local organisations, listed below, promoting innovation and growth of the regional space sector.

The EM3 Space Cluster Development Project action plan sets out how cross-sector collaboration can generate “world-changing opportunities” including real-time monitoring of carbon emission, solar and wind energy, tracking animals on land, sea and air, and the deployment of resources for disaster management.

Industry leaders have welcomed the plan, which is intended to attract further talent and investment to the area’s space sector, which has recently been recognised by the Government for its potential as one of only seven places in the UK to receive ‘Space Hub’ status.

UK space clusters have performed a successful role as focal points and generators of space-related opportunities for UK organisations and for companies seeking to establish a presence in the UK. The UKSA’s funding to establish new space hubs has enabled the EM3 Space Hub to develop a strategy that enables cross-sector businesses in the region to play a part in and benefit from opportunities in space.

For the space industry to thrive there needs to be strong linkages between all elements of the ecosystem, in order to transition innovation and knowledge through to commercialisation and value creation. The Hub’s academic, commercial and ancillary organisations cover a diverse range of upstream and downstream activities; and the workshops held by the EM3 Space Hub to explore how space can support other high-value sectors in the region, from animal welfare and clean growth to maritime and gaming, illustrate the future potential of space to impact our daily lives as well as underpin wider regional growth.

KISPE Space looks forward to supporting EM3 Space Hub’s near-term and longer-term objectives to drive local and UK prosperity and to further our global space ambitions.

Anita Bernie , Strategy and Business Execution at KISPE Space

As we reshape our economy, the scale for the space commercial opportunity is high. With an ongoing pandemic, the beginning of the post-Brexit era and clear environmental challenges, space applications can help provide solutions.

Our region is among the highest intensive-knowledge workforces nationally and has the highest proportion of residents educated to degree level, with further opportunities in skills and employment now opening in the space sector. We are enhancing access to these by working with our partners in education and by supporting our local talent pool to upskill and reskill.

Francesca Caramelle , EM3's Trade & Investment Coordinator

Undoubtedly, our region is a powerhouse for space-related innovation with capabilities to meet the challenges facing future generations. Space technologies, when applied to a variety of sectors and industries, really do have the power to change the world.

As part of the founding regional Space Hub partnership, I have been delighted to see the excitement, participation and open collaboration of such a diverse range of stakeholders as we build a thriving and successful space community. Working together, we will unlock the full potential of our region.

Louise Butt , Business Development Manager at the South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications

The Space Hub Consortium comprises EM3, Hampshire County Council, the University of Surrey, the University of Southampton, Oxford Innovation and South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications.

The EM3 region has more than 185 organisations operating across the industry including BAE Systems, SSTL, Airbus, Earth-I, Alcis, Lockheed Martin, ViaSat, SERCO, SatixFy, InSpace Missions, and NanoAvionics, as well as organisations such as Ordnance Survey, the National Oceanographic Centre, Geoxphere, GHGSat, ICEYE, Mantle Labs and Absolar

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