Funding to develop Wales' space sector

Levelling up funding is being made available to explore the potential for a space observatory and planetarium in Snowdonia.

Two projects aimed at boosting the space sector in Wales are getting this latest cash which totals £226,000 - this time from the UK Space Agency.

The observatory, at Spaceport in Snowdonia, aims to take advantage of the area being part of the most extensive dark skies reserve in the UK.

The funding also includes £200,000 for a space cluster development manager to help the space sector grow across Wales.

The Welsh space sector includes 59 space organisations that generate £42 million in income to the UK economy each year.

The projects are among 18 new schemes across the UK which will harness space-enabled technology to address local priorities, such as using Earth Observation data to improve local public services and help innovative engineering companies access the UK’s growing space markets.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Wales’ space ecosystem is well placed to grasp the opportunities from the growing global space sector, thanks to its strong advanced manufacturing and technology base.

"Its universities are already involved in world-class space research and it has growing strengths in satellite technology. Our new funding for a space cluster manager and support for the plans for a space observatory and planetarium in Snowdonia will accelerate the development of this fast-growing space ecosystem and help realise its full economic potential.

“Informed by our work with areas across the UK to understand the strengths and needs of local space economies, we are backing a wide range of clusters of excellence to forge new collaborations, grow and thrive.”

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