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Space industry of Scotland

Summary

In May 2021, the Space industry of Scotland consisted of 173 space companies operating across Scotland.[1] These include spacecraft manufacturers, launch providers, downstream data analyzers, and research organisations.[2] Space Scotland, the countries space agency, said that the space industry in Scotland contributes in excess of £4 billion to the Scottish economy.[3]

Clyde Space made Scotland's first satellite, the UKube-1, which was launched on the Russian Soyuz-2 rocket in 2013
First Minister Humza Yousaf meets with executives from Space Scotland, the countries national space agency

Recognised as a European leader in space technology, Scotland builds more satellites than any other European country.[4] Space Scotland claim that this is possible due to "entreprenerialism, technical expertise in miniturisation of satellites and support from Scottish universities".[5] Scotland's space industry, and its agency, Space Scotland, contribute research and project to other agencies, including NASA and the European Space Agency.[6]

In 2017/18 it was estimated that the space industry in Scotland employed approximately 8,000 people with an annual growth rate of 12% between 2013 and 2018.[7] London Economics published a report projecting £2billion in income for Scotland's space cluster by 2030.[8] Scottish space industry jobs represent almost 1 in 5 of all UK space industry employment.[9]

Scottish Space Groups edit

Space Scotland edit

Space Scotland (formerly Scottish Space Leadership Council) is an industry coordinating body created to promote the Scottish space industry. In conjunction with Scottish Space Academic Forum and The Scottish Government, they have published A Strategy for Space in Scotland 2021[7] for the continued development of the Scottish space industry over the next decade. It acts as a "single voice" to collectively represent the wider Scottish space industry organisations, such as the Scottish Space Academic Forum and the Scottish Government Space Group.[10]

The Scottish Space Group was established by Space Scotland in order to facilitate resources that Space Scotland required in order to "enhance, accelerate and improve sectoral growth". The organisation is committed to the further expansion of its operations, claiming that it will "provide in-depth industry perspectives, guidance and advice to support the future growth and success of “Team Scotland”". To achieve this, it will "continue to be an advocate for collective Scottish business interests".[11]

Scottish Space Academic Forum (SSAF) edit

The Scottish Space Academic Forum (SSAF) was established "as an initiative and management forum aimed at ensuring alignment across research, development and education to provide support to maximise the research potential of Team Scotland for world class innovation and economic growth".[12] The relationship between the space industry of Scotland and academic research was seen as a crucial part of the industries success, "in terms of accelerating the technical readiness levels of innovation". It works in partnership with other agencies, including Skills Development Scotland to ensure future growth in the sector by facilitating development of appropriate skills and experience required to work within Scotland's space sector.[13]

Scottish Government Space Group edit

 
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Spire Global in Glasgow. Spire Global builds, tests and operates nanosatellites tracking aviation, maritime and weather patterns

The Scottish Government launched the cross–agency initiative, the Scottish Government Space Group, which collects the Scottish Government and the Enterprise and Skills agencies of the government together in order to facilitate discussions that will continue to develop Scotland's space sector and associated industry. The Scottish Government recognise space and the associated space industry, exploration, research, development and manufacturing of space craft, as a key component to Scotland's future economic growth.[14]

The creation of the Scottish Government Space Group ensures the Scottish Government "will work closely with the sector and beyond to ensure that appropriate infrastructure and investment across the public and private sectors is provided to enable growth and enhance employment opportunities".[15]

Public sector bodies edit

Scotland's space industry, and the work of Space Scotland, is supported by a number of public sector bodies and agencies, including:[16]

Space Centres in Scotland edit

Higgs Centre for Innovation edit

The Higgs Centre for Innovation was created by the Science and Technology Facilities Council at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh to incubate space startups, provide the sector with facilities for building and demonstrating space technologies, and to give doctoral candidates startup and entrepreneurial experience.[17][18] The facilities include cleanrooms, cryostats, vibration shaker tables, thermal chambers, and EMC testing facilities. The Higgs Centre is one of four ESA Business Incubation Centres in the UK.[19]

Bayes Centre edit

The Bayes Centre, at the University of Edinburgh, hosts a coordinating hub for space and satellite data science activities that brings together academia, NGOs, the space industry, and governmental organisations with a focus on commercializing university research.[20][21]

Spaceports edit

There are multiple spaceports in varying phases of development in Scotland. Two Scottish spaceports, SaxaVord and Sutherland, are scheduled to have their first launches in 2022.[22]

SaxaVord edit

SaxaVord Spaceport is located on the isle of Unst, in the Shetland Islands. It is planned to host Lockheed Martin's first rocket launches as well as Edinburgh-based Skyrora's launches.[23][24]

Sutherland Space Hub edit

Sutherland spaceport is located in the north of the Scottish mainland. It currently has six launch contracts with rocket maker Orbex which is headquartered in Forres, Scotland.[25]

Space Data Companies edit

 
Scotland is a global location and European leader for commercial space development

Omanos Analytics edit

Omanos Analytics, based in Glasgow, combines earth observation data with ground source data to track operations of infrastructure projects such as mining, logging, and rubber plantations. These are monitored for their environmental and community impact, especially in hostile and low-infrastructure regions with the goal of supporting sustainable development.[26]

Ecometrica edit

Ecometrica, with offices in Edinburgh, has developed an end-to-end environmental SaaS whose purpose is to analyze earth observation data combined with on-the-ground data collection sources to identify risks and opportunities for their customers. The software assists sustainability planning, operations and reporting.[27][28]

Space Intelligence edit

Space Intelligence, based in Edinburgh, uses machine learning on remote sensing satellite data to classify landscapes, especially around deforestation and forest degradation, to provide businesses seeking to reduce their environmental impact with actionable data.[29]

Trade in Space edit

Trade in Space, based in Edinburgh, uses satellite data to create smart contracts via the blockchain in real time for commodities such as coffee.[30]

Carbomap edit

Carbomap, based in Edinburgh, builds tools to analyze and develop insights from environmental data from remote sensing satellites and UAVs. They work with governments, NGOs, and research institutes to map out forests and monitor deforestation.[31]

EarthBlox edit

EarthBlox, based in Edinburgh, produces a no-code SaaS interface to obtain and analyze data from remote sensing satellites for applications ranging from flood damage, crop production, and climate change.[32]

Bird.i edit

Bird.i, based in Glasgow, uses satellite data to provide businesses with monitoring of infrastructure projects such as mining, oil and gas, and construction. It was acquired in April 2020 by Zonda.[33]

Rocket makers edit

Skyrora edit

Skyrora, based in Edinburgh, builds rockets suited for the launch of small satellites. The Skyrora XL rocket is intended to launch payloads of up to 315 kg into a Sun-synchronous orbit between 500 and 1000 km or a polar orbit between 200 and 1000 km.[34] Their first scheduled launch is in 2023.[35]

Orbex edit

Orbex, based in Forres (about 25 miles northeast of Inverness), is developing a rocket called Prime that is intended to launch nano satellites into a polar orbit. The first launch is targeted to end of 2022.[36]

References edit

  1. ^ "More than 3,000 jobs created as space sector grows across the UK". GOV.UK.
  2. ^ "Boldly going towards the new age of space". HeraldScotland.
  3. ^ "About Us". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ "About Us". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  5. ^ "About Us". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  6. ^ "About Us". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b "A Strategy for Space In Scotland" (PDF). Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Scottish Space Cluster Executive Summary May 2020" (PDF). Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "Manufacturing: Space sector - gov.scot". www.gov.scot.
  10. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Strategic Documents". www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  16. ^ "A Strategy for Space in Scotland" (PDF). www.spacescotland.org. Space Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Higgs space tech centre to be built in Edinburgh". BBC News. December 5, 2013.
  18. ^ Rollo, Grant. "Higgs Centre for Innovation Now Open for Applications". Technology Scotland.
  19. ^ "ESA Business Incubation Centres". www.esa.int.
  20. ^ "Space Innovation Hub at Edinburgh". The University of Edinburgh.
  21. ^ "How Edinburgh is pioneering satellite technology to help in the fight against climate change". www.scotsman.com.
  22. ^ "The Great British race to space". the Guardian. December 26, 2021.
  23. ^ "Lockheed Martin shifts U.K. launch site". SpaceNews. October 22, 2020.
  24. ^ "SaxaVord deal puts Skyrora XL rocket on launchpad". October 13, 2021.
  25. ^ wearefathom.com, Fathom-. "Space Hub Sutherland starts countdown to launch of Orbex Prime". orbex.space.
  26. ^ "New UK space projects to boost global sustainable development receive £3.4 million cash boost". GOV.UK.
  27. ^ "Technology firm Ecometrica wins £14.2m deal to help save the rainforests". The National.
  28. ^ "Ecometrica Uses UAV-Lidar to Map Vegetation in Scottish Forests". www.gim-international.com.
  29. ^ "Scots firm's global forest map is a GOOD-COP and world first". The National.
  30. ^ "Trade in Space - KTN". ktn-uk.org.
  31. ^ "Edinburgh's aim to become the 'Data Capital of Europe'". HeraldScotland.
  32. ^ "Three companies to watch at this year's EIE21 investor conference in Edinburgh". www.scotsman.com.
  33. ^ "Funding boost for Glasgow-based space-tech firm Bird.i". BBC News. November 17, 2017.
  34. ^ Bruce, Leo (October 18, 2021). "UK spaceports and launchers gearing up for first flights".
  35. ^ Grossman, David. "Meet Skyrora: The rocket company bringing balance to the modern space race". Inverse.
  36. ^ Speed, Richard. "Orbex is creeping towards orbit from a UK launchpad, but first there are courts, birds, and billionaires to overcome". www.theregister.com.

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