Harwell Space Cluster - Satellite Applications Catapult

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Harwell Space Cluster

Overview

The Harwell Space Cluster forms an integral part of the UK’s Space Sector, having grown into a dynamic ecosystem of over 100 space organisations that employ more than 1,600 people. The campus boasts £3 billion in scientific infrastructure including 14 national facilities, one of which is RAL space, who hold more than 60 years of expertise and a portfolio of over 210 space instruments. Notably, the newly opened National Satellite Test Facility offers comprehensive satellite testing services, enhancing the UK’s capabilities in satellite development and deployment.

The cluster is working towards hosting 200 organisations and 5,000 employees by 2030, co-located alongside world-class research facilities and government agencies. Empowered by a multidisciplinary environment and strong international links, Harwell is a premier destination for companies looking to grow within the UK and expand globally.

Harwell has enabled companies over the last decade to start with a couple of employees in an office to scale in size into their own dedicated building on site. Support for incubation, funding, technical partnerships and expertise offers cluster members a unique place to grow. See our organisations here: https://www.harwellcampus.com/organisations-list/

See the STFC Cluster Strategy, which covers Harwell Space Cluster, here.

Join the Harwell Cluster Group on the Space Enterprise Community platform here.

Key Contacts

Hugh Mortimer

Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Role: Space Cluster Manager

Facilities, Assets, and Academic Institutions

  • ESA’s European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT)

  • ECSAT has a focus on collaboration, supporting many cross-directorate activities, contributing strongly to the cooperative ethos at Harwell Campus, and working closely with communities from across ESA’s member states. It is the headquarters of ESA’s Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, and also supports teams working in commercialisation, Earth observation, human and robotic exploration, and space technology, engineering and quality. The site comprises the ECSAT building, named after ESA’s first director general Roy Gibson, the Magali Vaissiere Conference Centre, and several facilities on the surrounding campus.

    SAC also have numerous facilities, including the DISC, Operations Centre, and Antenna Test Ranges.

    Find out more
  • European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre

  • The ESA Business Incubation Centre United Kingdom (ESA BIC UK) is part of ESA Space Solutions and provides start-ups with technical expertise and facilities, business support, networking, office space and funding needed to overcome innovation challenges and accelerate business growth. Part of ESA’s thriving Europe-wide network of Business Incubation Centres, the ESA BIC UK is managed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and draws on both organisations’ outstanding track record in business incubation – providing a unique environment perfectly engineered to accelerate innovation and unlock commercial potential. Each year we support start-ups working in sectors including aerospace, healthcare, energy, agriculture and digital technology.

    Find out more
  • National Satellite Test Facility

  • The NSTF will provide facilities for the assembly, integration and testing of space payloads and satellites. The new facility will enable UK companies to develop the next generation of large, complex spacecraft and test them in the UK. Access to co-located world-class facilities will enable UK industry to bid competitively for more national and international contracts and ensure the UK remains a world-leader in space technologies for decades to come.

    Find out more
  • RAL Space

  • As an integral part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), RAL Space is the space hub for UK Rese arch and Innovation, supporting its mission to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.

    Find out more
  • Satellite Applications Catapult

  • The Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) is at the heart of the satellite services revolution, driving take-up of space technology and applications to shape, and sustain, the world of tomorrow. Driven by how they can help organisations they work with, both large and small, bring new services to market. By connecting industry and academia they get new research off the ground and into the market more quickly.

    SAC also have numerous facilities, including the DISC, Operations Centre, and Antenna Test Ranges.

    Find out more

Partners

  • Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

  • Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP)  champions Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.

    Find out more

Key Activities and Projects

  • UK Autonomous and Connected Earth Network (UK-ACE network)

  • Harwell Cluster leads a consortium of clusters hosting the Satellite Applications Catapult’s a pilot Connected Capabilities Network: the Autonomous and Connected Earth Network (UK-ACE network) will advance the reach and impact of satellite data and space technology across the UK, emphasising the pivotal roles connectivity and autonomy applications play on Earth. The UK-ACE network will work with stakeholders across space and adjacent sectors by hosting engagement events and activities to help catalyse collaboration and investment opportunities using autonomy and connectivity technologies.

    Find out more

Regional Strengths

For more detail, see the Space Capabilities Catalogue. For more information on the technical areas, see the Investor Launchpad Capability Brochures.

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Cross-industry pollination

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Cross-industry pollination

Harwell fosters collaboration across sectors with its integrated clusters in space, energy, health, and quantum technologies. This environment encourages cross-sector innovation, enabling companies to leverage diverse expertise and resources.

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Engineering and manufacturing

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Engineering and manufacturing

The cluster’s strong research community attracts academic and industry alike to access the engineering and manufacturing expertise across the variety of STFC facilities clustered in the region, which are essential for supporting the UK’s skills pipeline.

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Assembly, integration, and testing

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Assembly, integration, and testing

Through facilities like RAL Space and STFC, Harwell offers access to radiation test environments, materials analysis labs, and simulation chambers for validating electronics and materials in LEO and deep space conditions, as well as a selection of antenna testbeds such as the near-field, far-field and compact test ranges. The National Satellite Test Facility also offers vibration, thermal vacuum, acoustic, and electromagnetic compatibility testing for large-scale satellites, enabling full AIT cycles on-site.

Current Market Focus & Opportunities

For more detail, see the Space Capabilities Catalogue. 

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Extensive business support

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Extensive business support

The presence of the ESA Business Incubation Centre and the Satellite Applications Catapult provides startups and SMEs with access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, facilitating growth and innovation within the space sector.

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Data analytics and applications

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Data analytics and applications

There are additional opportunities for data analytics and applications to support and advance the already-strong regional capability in developing high quality space-derived and -enabled data, providing ubiquitous and resilient coverage and improving spectrum efficiency through the region’s various testing capabilities and expertise at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).

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Nuclear

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Nuclear

With the UK Atomic Energy Authority headquartered at the Harwell Campus and strong cross-sector links to nuclear fusion and fission research, the cluster is aiming to be a significant player in the UK’s nuclear landscape for space.