Satellite Applications Catapult hosts prestigious opening event at Space Park Leicester

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 17 October 2021

The Satellite Applications Catapult celebrated their presence in the East Midlands by hosting a prestigious launch event at Space Park Leicester.

Academic leaders and space industry partners came together on Wednesday, October 13, to discuss innovative ideas and celebrate the official launch of The Space Commercialisation Engine, a unique business support service to help entrepreneurs and businesses from any sector across the UK to get their innovative Earth Observation ideas off the ground.

Administered by the Catapult, a unique government-backed technology and innovation company, with support from the University of Leicester, this unique national programme is tipped to accelerate the development of new products and services that will not only benefit the growth of the UK business space sector but also has the potential to ‘impact the world’.

Speaking at the event, Stuart Martin, CEO, Satellite Applications Catapult said:

“We are delighted to be here today to celebrate the opening of our offices at Space Park Leicester. The Catapult’s presence here will support the regional ambition to become a major UK space hub, and give all businesses more opportunities to interact with and benefit from this growing sector.

“Along with our other programmes, the Space Commercialisation Engine presents a fantastic opportunity for all UK business to fast-track Earth observation ideas and bring them to market. Through collaboration with the University of Leicester, the Space Commercialisation Engine will accelerate the growth of a vibrant and commercially-driven space sector. I’d like to thank all our partners for working tirelessly to make this service offering a reality.”

The Space Commercialisation Engine is staffed by leaders in Earth Observation technology, with a dedicated blend of expertise in design, technical and business capability. Over the coming years, the offering is set to grow as it supports the expansion of the early-stage Earth observation industry. 

Professor Richard Ambrosi, Professor of Space Instrumentation and Space Nuclear Power Systems in the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy, added:

“The official launch of the Space Commercialisation Engine signifies an innovation in matching business with funded academic time and expertise.

“This intervention will accelerate the development of new products and services that not only benefit the growth of the UK business space sector, but also potentially that can impact the world at large. In bridging the divide between available commercial technology solutions, our partnership with the Space Commercialisation Engine addresses company research and development innovation challenges and brings expert skills and knowledge to enhance ideas and concepts being developed.

“The University of Leicester looks forward to fostering all the new resulting ideas and to playing a major part overall in furthering regional growth in our sector”.

The event consisted of presentations, panel discussions and tours, and also highlighted other regional service offerings and programmes offered by the Catapult. This Space Commercialisation Engine launch, along with other Catapult regional programmes, continues to facilitate cooperation and partnerships, supporting the overall national objectives and ambitions of the UK space industry.

For more information or to launch your Earth observation idea, contact the Space Commercialisation Engine on sce@sa.catapult.org.uk

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