Northern Ireland Space - Satellite Applications Catapult

< Return to Cluster Directory

NI SPAC⌀" logo with a stylized green circle integrated into the letter 'C'.

Northern Ireland Space

Overview

Northern Ireland has developed world-class capability in areas such as advanced sensors, predictive analytics, and cyber security. With a strong heritage in aerospace and advanced materials, the region is increasingly applying its expertise to upstream space systems, satellite components, and resilient communications. Key academic and industrial assets are enabling cross-sector innovation in propulsion, space surveillance, telecommunications, AI, and quantum technologies.

Belfast, in particular, is a growing focal point for space entrepreneurship, home to startups and SMEs working on satellite manufacturing, data analytics, and launch vehicle systems. The city is also ranked as one of the top global destinations for cyber investment.

See the Northern Ireland Space Office strategy document here.

Join the Northern Ireland Space Cluster Group in the Space Enterprise Community Platform here.

Key Contacts

Robert Hill

Organisation: Northern Ireland Space
Role: Cluster Development Manager

Kelly Murphy

Organisation: Invest NI
Role: Advanced Manufacturing & Space Sector Development Manager

Facilities, Assets, and Academic Institutions

  • BRCD Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC)

  • BRCD Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, AMIC includes the Polymer Processing Research Centre

    Find out more
  • Catalyst Belfast Innovation Centre

  • The Catalyst Belfast Innovation Centre is an epicentre of innovation in Northern Ireland providing everything that innovators and entrepreneurs need to reach higher and succeed faster – a home, a powerful community, enhanced by international networks of venture capital, and market development support.

    Find out more
  • Centre for Wireless Innovation at Queen’s University Belfast

  • Based at Queen’s Titanic Quarter is the UK’s largest research, the Centre is focused on the development and exploitation base in Physical Layer wireless, and one of the best ranked in Europe. Our 70-strong team of research academics, postdocs, PhD students and engineers develop innovative underpinning technologies, focused on the themes of RF through to THz Systems, and Signal Processing & Communication Theory.

    Find out more
  • Design Smarter Digital Twin Centre

  • The Digital Twin Centre, led by Digital Catapult, will provide common, shared physical and digital infrastructure to support the development of digital twins, elements of which include common data architecture, tools, models, software, systems and hardware. The centre will initially focus in sectors including maritime, aerospace and defence but have the capability and plans to explore other sectors.

    Find out more
  • NI Cyber Security Centre

  • The NI Cyber Security Centre works to make Northern Ireland cyber safe, secure and resilient for its citizens and businesses.

    Find out more
  • Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE)

  • Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE) in Belfast – Ulster University (Composites Engineering and Advanced Metal Forming groups) is a joint partner with Queen’s University Belfast in the Northern Ireland Advanced ​​​Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE). This industry led, university hosted centre is a technology hub for the research and development of advanced engineering and advanced materials technologies, particularly in the area of advanced composites technologies, across a range of industrial sectors.

    Find out more
  • Queen’s University Belfast

  • Queen’s University Belfast is a global leader in radio frequency (RF) and millimetre-wave research through its Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI). Ranked among the world’s top institutions in telecommunications engineering, CWI houses advanced facilities including an 11m anechoic far-field chamber, a planar near-field scanner, and a Keysight millimetre-wave laboratory.

    Find out more
  • Resonate Testing Newry

  • Commercial test house for organisations in need of high quality testing and certification services. Resonate Testing has developed its own bespoke shock and pyroshock testing facility that can recreate the complex shocks that are experienced in the most extreme environments with a wide range of impact devices and shock transfer media.

    Find out more
  • Thales Alenia Space Propulsion Competence Centre

  • Located at the Propulsion Integration Centre in Thales Belfast, and on Harwell’s Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire TAS teams design and build propulsion systems modules for Thales Alenia Space’s telecommunications satellites to keep them safely positioned in orbit. They also develop low cost, exportable, electric propulsion system for single satellites and constellations. Together, these teams are known as the Propulsion Centre of Competence for the whole of Thales Alenia Space JV.

    Find out more

Partners

  • ADS Northern Ireland Space Special Interest Group (NISSIG)

  • NI companies and organisations with an interest in space.

    Find out more
  • Invest NI

  • Regional Development Agency for Northern Ireland.

    Find out more
  • Northern Ireland Space Leadership Council

  • Comprised of senior representatives from the leading prime organisations, SME’s, local government / public sector and academic stakeholders from both world class universities engaged in the space sector.

    Find out more
  • Northern Ireland Space Office (NISO)

  • The Northern Ireland Space Office (NISO) supports regional space cluster development and highlights regional capabilities both nationally and internationally. NISO works closely with InvestNI, the Regional Business development Agency, ADS the national Aerospace, Defence and Security trade association and the UK Space Agency to signpost opportunities for collaboration and commercial growth.

    Find out more

Key Activities and Projects

  • UK Earth Observation for Sustainability Network (UK-EONS)

  • Northern Ireland Space is a supporter of a consortium of partners led by Space Hub Yorkshire hosting the Satellite Applications Catapult’s first pilot Connected Capabilities Network: the UK Earth Observation Network for Sustainability (UK-EONS). UK-EONS will advance the reach and impact of space data and technology across the UK with a focus on Earth Observation technology for sustainability challenges. UK-EONS will work with stakeholders across space and adjacent sectors, and host engagement events and activities to help catalyse collaboration and investment opportunities

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

  • Northern Ireland Space is part of a consortium of partners led by Harwell Space Cluster/STFC 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
  • Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Seaweed farming and production: Challenges and Opportunities

  • Northern Ireland Space are leading a UK Space Agency-funded collaboration working with Space East and Space Wales. The project will provide knowledge exchange activities between public sector organisations, academia and SMEs in the areas of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Seaweed farming and production.

    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.

A commercial airplane flying in the sky with landing gear down against a backdrop of clouds at sunset.
01

Aerospace heritage

01

Aerospace heritage

Northern Ireland hosts over 8,000 aerospace jobs and exports more than £1.4 billion in aerospace parts annually - Europe’s 8th largest aerospace region in revenue - including structural components and precision subsystems now transitioning into space applications. This includes firms with capabilities in high-performance composites, additive manufacturing, and mission-critical avionics.

Person typing on a laptop with colorful data streams flowing out of the screen, symbolizing digital information exchange.
02

Data analysis

02

Data analysis

The region has deep experience in the storage and analysis of large volumes of data, including financial, telemetry and genomic data, with a strong capability in machine learning and artificial intelligence in health, financial services, and cyber security. 25% of all computer read/write heads are made by Seagate Technology in Northern Ireland.

Room with blue anechoic foam panels and equipment for testing electromagnetic waves.
03

Space communications and RF technologies

03

Space communications and RF technologies

The region has significant expertise in secure communications and RF system design, with several firms working on satellite payloads, ground terminals, and resilient C2 (command and control) networks. Northern Ireland’s background in military-grade electronics and secure network architecture also lends itself well to emerging optical and hybrid RF systems.

Abstract image of glowing orange and blue fiber optic strands against a dark background, creating a dynamic wave effect.
04

Quantum and photonics innovation

04

Quantum and photonics innovation

Belfast and Londonderry are home to growing clusters in quantum technologies and photonics, with applications for quantum timing, secure communication links, and sensor systems in space. Institutions like Queen’s University are engaged in research on quantum optics and laser systems relevant to space navigation and precision Earth observation.

Current Market Focus & Opportunities

For more detail, see the Space Capabilities Catalogue.

Digital shield with keyhole on a blue, futuristic circuit background, symbolizing cybersecurity.
01

Dual-use technologies

01

Dual-use technologies

With a strong defence industry presence, the region is well-placed to commercialise dual-use technologies for SSA (Space Situational Awareness), ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), and satellite communications.

A rocket launches through clouds at night, with a starry sky and a visible moon in the background.
02

Propulsion and lightweight structures

02

Propulsion and lightweight structures

Northern Ireland’s heritage in airframe manufacturing and emerging composites R&D makes it ideal for developing structural systems and propulsion subsystems for spaceflight. There’s growing interest in using local expertise to build flight hardware for cubesats, in-space mobility platforms, and lunar applications.

A satellite scans a marked plot of land in a green, rural landscape.
03

Space data for agriculture and infrastructure

03

Space data for agriculture and infrastructure

Northern Ireland’s rural economy provides a unique testbed for satellite data-driven applications in land management, precision agriculture, and rural broadband. Companies using EO data for climate resilience and smart infrastructure monitoring have a strong case to grow from the region.