Industry views
20 Sep 2023
by Craig Brown

How the UK is growing into one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world

Guest blog from Craig Brown, Director of Investment at UK Space Agency. Part of techUK's #SuperchargeUKTech Week 2023.

Wednesday 6.png

For decades, the UK has been at the cutting-edge of pioneering space technologies, from manufacturing small satellites that have revolutionised satellite constellations to developing scientific instruments for groundbreaking international missions, such as the James Webb Space Telescope.  

Today, our way of life on Earth depends on space. Satellites help us to predict the weather, keep people and businesses connected and products moving, and monitor our planet’s health. They underpin the UK’s financial system and critical national infrastructure.

At the UK Space Agency, we have ambitious plans to harness space science and technology to forge a greener, smarter and more inclusive society. There are significant opportunities to build on high-growth areas, such as Earth observation and satellite broadband, and to establish early leadership in emerging markets such as in‑orbit spacecraft servicing, active space debris removal, and the new lunar economy.

These advances are powered by innovation, turning new ideas into mission-ready technology and marketable digital applications.

Catalysing more investment in space innovation is crucial for two main reasons.

Firstly, it brings us new ways of furthering our understanding of the Universe and examining how our own planet is changing.

Secondly, the potential economic benefits are huge. The space sector already generates £17.5 billion for the UK economy each year, and we’ve attracted more private investment in space than any country outside the US since 2015. But this is a global race to deliver new and improved technology and services in a rapidly expanding sector – and we must continue to innovate. If we stand still while everybody else is running, we will quickly lose the race.

Space is a team sport, and success means working together.

We collaborate with partners across government, industry and academia to deliver the aims of the National Space Strategy - to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world, and grow the UK as a space nation.

Our new Space Exploration Technology Roadmap plays an important role in this, identifying key technologies we need to develop in order to extract maximum value from the increasing commercialisation of space exploration.

We want to lead the world in modern space regulation and ensure innovative space businesses can access private finance through space-oriented venture capital funds, such as Seraphim Space Investment Trust, supported by the British Business Bank.

Through initiatives like our Space Cluster Development Programme, Space Clusters and Infrastructure Fund and the UK Space Agency Accelerator, we are making sure that opportunities, investment and growth are spread more evenly across the whole of the country.

International collaboration is also crucial to innovation and growth. As well as being a founding member of the European Space Agency - which opens up access to resources and knowledge from around the world, and gives UK scientists, engineers and businesses the chance to participate in major space missions - we are forging new partnerships further afield, building on the success of the UK‑Australia ”Space Bridge”.


We recently announced the first projects to receive a share of our £20 million International Bilateral fund dedicated to supporting links with global space agencies and businesses, so that we can develop new technologies together that will advance our capabilities in space and benefit life on Earth.

This is a hugely exciting time for the UK in space, and there are more opportunities for businesses – and particularly techUK members - to get involved than ever before. It is only by working together that we can unleash the innovation needed to stay at the forefront of the new space race and cement the UK’s role as a science and technology superpower.

Supercharging Innovation Week 2023

techUK members explored the emerging and transformative technologies at the heart of UK research and innovation. This week was designed to investigate how to leverage the UK's strengths and push forward the application and commercialisation of these technologies, highlighting best practice from academia, industry and Government that is enabling success. You can catch up via the link below.

Find out more

techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation 

innovation_icon_badge_final.png

The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.

techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.

For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’. 

Latest news and insights:

Get our tech and innovation insights straight to your inbox

Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Technology and Innovation and AI programmes.

Learn more about our Unleashing Innovation campaign:

Unleashing the Potential of UK Tech and Innovation.jpg

 

 

Sprint Campaigns

techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.

Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).

Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK. 

New Space

This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.

These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.

Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.

Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.

Event round-ups

Report

Insights

Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Gaming & Esports

This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.

These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).

Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).

Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.

Report

Event round-ups

Insights

Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Web3 & Immersive technologies

Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.

These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.

Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.

Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.

Event round-ups

Guest insights

Get in touch

Rory Daniels

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Campaign Weeks

Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.

Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.

Summits

Tech and Innovation Summit 2023

View the recordings

 

Tech and Innovation Summit 2024

Watch here

 

 

Authors

Craig Brown

Craig Brown

Director of Investment, UK Space Agency

Craig is Investment Director at the UK Space Agency, responsible for leading the Agency’s work to catalyse investment in the UK space sector.

Craig was Innovation Lead for Space at Innovate UK from 2014 – 2019, and then spent three and a half years in industry, working for SatixFy, which he helped grow significantly from an SME to a public company. Prior to joining Innovate UK, Craig spent 6 years at Airbus Defence and Space working on a range of programmes in both the science missions and downstream applications parts of the business.

In 2010, Craig was awarded his PhD from the University of Leicester where he worked on the BepiColombo MIXS instrument, following a couple of years working at the European Space Agency in the Future Programmes group.

He has remained active in the UK space community, leading the equality, diversity and inclusion work for the Space Skills Advisory Panel as well as helping coordinate the programme for the UK Space Conference.

Investment Director

The Investment Director leads the Agency’s work to catalyse investment in the UK space sector.

This role forges strong relationships with space investors, suppliers and customers, creates opportunities to bring new investment and revenue into the sector, and leads the delivery of Agency programmes.

 

Read lessmore

Return to listing