The case for Space
Space matters. Every time we go to work, turn on the television, make a mobile phone call, or engage the Sat Nav system in our car or smart phone, Space technology enables our modern life. Space also connects our Armed Forces and our humanitarian agencies around the world and delivers essential intelligence. Earth observation satellites are essential to monitoring and understanding the climate crisis.
Space-enabled technology and services will underpin £600bn of growth in UK GDP by 2030, delivering jobs that are 2.6 x more productive than the UK average. There are at least 143 innovative, growing Yorkshire businesses with known involvement or active interest in Space and many more for which Space could present major growth opportunities. These businesses are already drivers of the regional economy, increasing employment by 15% in the past three years.
Space Hub Yorkshire will harness Space businesses and academica to set apart the Yorkshire Region and deliver our vision:
Space Hub Yorkshire vision
Unlocking Space for the people and businesses of Yorkshire. Connecting, promoting, and guiding innovation. Raising skills, raising aspiration. Delivering prosperity.
Space Hub Yorkshire growth strategy and action plan
SHY will build 3 core functions to structure regional activity, delivering 18 practical and achievable short-term actions and 3 flagship projects based on regional strengths in earth observation and advanced computer techniques, additive manufacturing and secure communications.
To effectively leverage Space-enabled economic growth investment is now required to take action under three core functions – Space Hub Yorkshire: CAMPUS | AGENCY | NETWORK (CAN):
SHY Space CAMPUS
Maximising the benefit to the UK Space industry of the region’s academic institutions by developing a Virtual Space Campus that utilises the existing resources of the region’s schools, colleges and universities – contributing world-class knowledge through research, world-class skills through teaching and professional development, and inspiration through educational outreach.
SHY Space AGENCY
Providing an effective and properly resourced coordinating body that effectively engages with, influences, promotes and disseminates opportunities from agencies such as UKSA, ESA, UK Government departments like the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other UK and non-UK government bodies, including inward
investment and export activity.
SHY Space NETWORK
Providing a platform for information exchange and networking, enabling the region’s industry base to make connections, learn from best practice and build supply chains.
