Funding has been secured to advance the country's space industry by one of the largest centers for space technology in the UK.
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) will give Space Park Leicester £284,000 to hire a cluster development manager for three years.
The appointed individual will collaborate with local businesses and government agencies to plan space-related activities and promote investment and cooperation.
A total of £6.5 million in government funding will be distributed among 18 UK projects.
Among these honors is a £500,000 grant for the Midland Aerospace Alliance's Pivot into Space R&D program, which supports space companies all over the Midlands.
British astronaut Tim Peake inaugurated the University of Leicester-run space park in March 2022.
The £100 million hub, close to the National Space Centre, serves as a base for businesses, researchers, and scientists to collaborate across offices and labs.
The funding will enable us to coordinate the expanding cluster activities in the East and West Midlands and bring them together under a single umbrella, according to Professor Martin Barstow, director of strategic partnerships at the facility. ".
"Space Park Leicester has already established a strong cluster in the East of the region, and we know there is growing activity in the West," the astrophysicist and space scientist continued.
"By combining these activities, the space economy in the region as a whole will be stronger. ".
"Creating a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realize the full economic potential of space throughout the UK," said Dr. Paul Bate, chief executive of UKSA.
In order to support these excellence clusters in cooperating, developing, and thriving, we have been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies.
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