[summary]University College London, UCL, has joined the ranks of the UK’s largest
space cluster, Space South Central, as its latest academic partner.
Existing academic partners in the cluster include University of
Portsmouth, University of Southampton and University of Surrey, which work
together to collaborate with, support, and promote the region’s over 170
space-related companies. The...

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University College London, UCL, has joined the ranks of the UK’s largest space cluster, Space South Central, as its latest academic partner.

Existing academic partners in the cluster include University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and University of Surrey, which work together to collaborate with, support, and promote the region’s over 170 space-related companies.

The new partnership seems particularly fitting, given that UCL has been involved with over 200 space tests and missions since the inception of its Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) in Surrey, in 1966.

“We are delighted that UCL has chosen to partner with Space South Central to support, enhance and benefit from our cluster initiatives,” said Space South Central Director, Dr Louise Butt.

“UCL brings a wealth of complementary expertise to our cluster, with a rich space heritage and a vast portfolio spanning planetary science, space policy, climate physics, astrochemistry, quantum science and much more.”

Meanwhile, Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), said: “I’m delighted that UCL is joining the largest regional space cluster in the UK. Collaboration with both industry and academic peers has been a defining feature of UCL’s space activity for over 60 years, stretching back to the multinational Ariel 1 satellite, Britain’s first step into space.

“It’s fitting to see this legacy of successful industry academic partnership continue with Space South Central and I look forward to seeing the synergies that arise.”

The partnership joins the expanding list of announcements made the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, with this year’s dedicated Space Zone being noted as the largest since the show’s inception.

UCL and the importance of space clusters

Speaking during a panel discussion at FIA2024 on Thursday, Dr Louise Butt was asked if the UK’s numerous space clusters are the most efficient and appropriate system for advocation, as opposed to one single voice to government on the UK’s space sector needs.

In response, she said: “There are 15 Space clusters in the UK who act as champions and advocates for their regional space sector. In my region, we have over 170 Space businesses, we have four academic institutions doing space and have a significant space portfolio.

“So I would argue that certainly in my patch, we have more than enough stakeholders that we need to support and facilitate.”

To further her point, she used Glasgow as an example. “There is a significant [space] presence there. Now, I can’t possibly facilitate and support up there from here. It needs to have its own regional voice and regional approach,” she said.

“What I would say, in terms of the cluster network, is we actually work together. We’re not working in isolation, we’re not siloed, and we’re not competition.

She also pointed to the “connectivity” between the clusters, and their stakeholders, to ensure “that is sent through as a single voice in terms of government, and so forth.”

As it stands, the UK space cluster system includes: North Coast Space Cluster, Space Scotland, Northern Ireland Space, Space North East England, North West Space Cluster, Space Hub Yorkshire, Space Wales, Midlands Space Cluster, Space East, Arc for Space, Wescott Space Cluster, Harwell Space Cluster, Space West, Space South Central, and Cornwall Space Cluster

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