The keys to the first phase of the new £100 million Space Park Leicester have been formally handed over.
Representatives from construction company Bowmer + Kirkland handed over the site to the University of Leicester which has been working on the plans for several years with its local, national and international partners.
The research, innovation and teaching hub for companies and academics specialising in space tech includes 52,000 sq ft of office space, shared laboratories, teaching facilities and co-working spaces.
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The first part of the complex, on land to the north of Leicester near the National Space Centre, could help create and support 2,500 jobs after it opens this summer.
Much of the work carried out there will be based around using satellite data to help with everything from modelling transport and traffic, to looking at global sea temperatures or deforestation in the Amazon.
Subsidiaries of aerospace and technology companies such as Hewlett Packard, Airbus and Amazon have already signed up as tenants.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester – which has a decades long history of space research – said: “We are very excited to reach this major milestone in our exciting Space Park Leicester project, which brings us one step closer to seeing the first space scientists, researchers and business minds moving in to this brand-new facility.
“Space Park Leicester will reaffirm our city’s place as a hub for the 海角视频 space sector and serves as another example of the University’s commitment to world-changing, ground-breaking research, as we contribute to science not only on our planet, but beyond.
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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all of the colleagues and organisations who have helped in driving this project to this point, and I look forward to welcoming our first co-location partners later this year.”
Grant Bourhill, chief executive of Space Park Leicester, said: “The global space sector is expanding significantly, with some forecasts predicting a $1 trillion industry by 2040.
“Leicester has six decades of experience of space science, as well as the largest grouping of space-related researchers of any institution in the 海角视频.
“With Space Park, we are aiming to leverage that capability and capacity to attract and grow space and space-enabled businesses. This will bring jobs to the East Midlands as well as create expanded opportunities for students and the wider community.”
Bowmer + Kirkland regional director Steve Chambers said: “We are absolutely delighted to be handing over stage one of this magnificent facility.
“Given that the past 12 months have been challenging, it is a remarkable achievement for the entire project team to achieve a successful handover and I’m sure that the teamwork and hard work from everyone involved with this scheme will see a successful conclusion to the next phase of the Space Park.”
The space park will enable collaboration between researchers and the private sector, creating “high quality knowledge-based jobs, building the skills base and contributing to economic growth and resilience of the economy”.
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Work is underway on a second stage will have state-of-the-art robot and AI assisted laboratory facilities for research and development into low-cost satellite production. It should be ready by the autumn.
A later stage could include a low-cost satellite production line.
Partners include Leicester City Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.
Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I’m very pleased to see the first phase of this major project completed. Together with the completion of our nearby workspaces at Dock 2 and the high-quality public realm improvements we have made in the area – including a new bridge over to Belgrave – this represents a big step forward for Leicester.”
LLEP chair Kevin Harris said: “Space Park Leicester is key to the economic future of our region. Leicester and Leicestershire will become an international hub of space technology and innovation, creating jobs and prosperity for years to come.
“It’s hugely exciting, therefore, to see the first phase of development of Space Park Leicester completed.
“It won’t be long before some of the most creative, cutting-edge businesses can call the new facility home, and I’m immensely proud that the LLEP has been able to make such a major contribution to its development.”