The first ever North West 'space hub' has been established in a move hoped to attract companies and new jobs to "propel the region forward".
The Northern Space Consortium announced on Wednesday that the new hub will mean the region plays a "more significant role" in the rapidly-expanding multi-billion pound space sector thanks to new Government backing.
The funding comes as part of a national plan to support the development of seven new space hubs across England, with the space sector already worth £15bn a year - employing 42,000 people.
The projects will "firmly establish the space industry as a priority for regional economic growth across the 海角视频", attracting commercial investment from space companies and delivering essential economic benefit to these areas.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council, through its Daresbury Laboratory at Sci-Tech Daresbury in Runcorn, Cheshire, will lead the project on behalf of the North West, working closely with the 海角视频 Space Agency.
Bob Morris, chairman at the Northern Space Consortium, said: “This is great news not just for the North West but for the 海角视频 in general.
"Recognising all the skills and expertise in the North West, the Northern Space Consortium was set up to help our region play a bigger part in and benefit from the rapidly expanding space industry.
"The 海角视频 has ambitious plans for the space industry and a space hub in our region is the natural focus for such an expansion which is why we fully supported the bid and look forward to working with STFC and the other stakeholders on this exciting development.”
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Aside from STFC, other key partners for the space hub include:
- Northern Space Consortium
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership
- Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership
- Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership
- Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- The Innovation Caucus
- North West Aerospace Alliance
According to the Northern Space Consortium, the hub will identify regional strengths, engage academic and industry organisations and set a strategy for how to grow the space sector in the North West, identifying ways for the region to take advantage of the opportunities of the commercial space age.
Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: “This funding will arm local leaders up and down the 海角视频 with the tools they need to put their local areas at the front of the commercial space race, while refuelling the tank of the 海角视频 economy and helping Britain realise its ambitions as a global space superpower.”
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, director, clusters and campus business development at STFC, said: “Building on STFC’s extensive experience in developing successful high-tech clusters, I am very excited by this opportunity and I look forward to working with key stakeholders in the region.
"Together we will establish the building blocks of a new space hub, which can become a powerful engine of growth in the NW, aided by strong links to the Harwell Space Gateway. As we continue to work closely with our partners in the 海角视频SA and Satellite Applications Catapult, we will further strengthen local capabilities in Space and complement national capabilities increasing international competitiveness.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I backed the bid for a North West space hub because of its incredible potential to level up our economy.
"When you combine those strengths with scientific assets such as at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory and the Hartree Centre, amongst others, and our plans to make the Liverpool City Region the most digitally connected in the 海角视频, you can see the huge potential for the space economy to turbo charge our recovery, as we look to build back better after this terrible pandemic is over.”