Yorkshire’s Skyward Surge: How Space Hub Yorkshire is contributing to the UK’s space revolution

The growth of the UK space sector has outpaced the growth of both the UK economy as a whole and the global space economy since the turn of the century (The Case for Space July 2023). Not only does the space sector drive research and innovation for major technological advancements, it also brings a wealth of benefits to the wider population.

Space technology powers our communication services, provides meteorological and remote sensing data to help combat climate change, drives advanced manufacturing technologies, and employs a highly skilled workforce – all proving essential to our daily lives. And it’s happening right here in Yorkshire, with the support of Space Hub Yorkshire.

What is Space Hub Yorkshire?

Space Hub Yorkshire (SHY) is one of the UK’s local space clusters, founded to help grow regional prosperity by unlocking space for the people and businesses of Yorkshire.

It’s funded by the UK Space Agency that coordinates and convenes space sector-related activity across the Yorkshire region. It’s a unique collaboration between the region’s universities, local government, Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs), and private industry to drive economic growth in the space sector. 

The SHY steering group includes representatives from all these organisations, plus the Satellite Applications Catapult. This varied representation means that the opinions and priorities of the whole region’s ecosystem are considered in all strategic decisions, as well as benefiting from a wealth of economic experience and technical expertise.

How does Space Hub Yorkshire work?

To unlock space for the people and businesses of Yorkshire, SHY implement a three-pillar model, represented by CAN:

Campus

A virtual space campus encompassing the region’s 12 universities and 34 regional colleges. This enables the coordination of space activity across research and education to support the continued growth of space-enabled activity and to provide skills to the next generation.

Agency

SHY acts as an advocate for space investment while working closely with agencies such as the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency, as well as national and local government departments, to create an attractive inward investment strategy for Yorkshire. 

Network

By providing a platform for collaboration and communication across the space ecosystem, Space Hub Yorkshire builds connections, promotes knowledge sharing and funding opportunities, and acts as a catalyst for the adoption of space technology.

What do Space Hub Yorkshire do?

SHY  has delivered a range of exciting activities and outputs in the years since its conception, including:

• Bringing the ESA FRINGE conference to the University of Leeds: In September 2023, FRINGE hosted representatives from over 45 countries to facilitate advances in the science and applications of state-of-the-art satellite data and technologies.
• Bringing the Ignite Space 2024 conference to the Royal Armouries: The conference, aimed at powering the business of space, hosted 500 international delegates.
• Launching  ‘Space North’: Uniting Space Hub Yorkshire, the North West Space Cluster, and Space North East England to secure a UK Space Agency-funded project to showcase the region’s resilient communications expertise, attract inward investment, and boost research and collaboration.
• Hosting the first Connected Capabilities Network: the UK Earth Observation Network for Sustainability: The Satellite Applications Catapult’s event aims to unite communities across the UK, enabling them to harness the benefits of satellite data and space technology.
• Supported and co-curated public engagement events, such as the UK Space Agency’s Space for Everyone tour, and STEMFest Yorkshire 2024.
• Worked with Shipley College to create a series of interviews with inspirational members of the Space Hub Yorkshire community, entitled ‘Space Hub Yorkshire’s Guide to the Galaxy’.
• Aiding the launch of the Storm-Cloud Project: Provided contemporary scientific expertise and consultation satellite data and its applications to Dr Tom Payne (Sheffield Hallam University) for an artist-led exploration of the climate crisis inspired by John Ruskin’s prophetic public lecture ‘Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century’.
• Leading the GreenSpace project: The UK Space Agency-funded event was designed to connect the green finance and agricultural industries together with the space industry, and address barriers to widespread use of space technology within those sectors.

Space Hub Yorkshire is at the heart of the space sector in Yorkshire and aims to help anyone looking to explore the industry. Keep your eye out for more upcoming content on Space Hub’s projects on the Leeds Digital platform.

Don’t forget to check out Space Hub Yorkshire’s website, subscribe to their newsletter, and follow them on LinkedIn to be the first to hear about current funding opportunities, exciting events, and new collaborative projects.

Cover image credit: University Of Leeds. Launch of a UK-EONS at NEXUS, 18th Jan 24. ©Victor De Jesus