University of Surrey launches Space Institute to drive the UK’s small satellite boom and tackle urgent global challenges

The University of Surrey, owner and operator of the Surrey Research Park, officially launched its new Surrey Space Institute today.

This significant strategic establishment at the University aims to bolster the UK’s burgeoning small satellite sector and respond to the urgent need for faster research, innovation and skilled talent. This includes converting the University’s 45-year small satellite leadership into mission-ready solutions for climate, resilience and secure global connectivity.

Importantly, for the diverse community of local space-related businesses at the Park, this means enhanced opportunities to access world-class talent, expertise, and facilities.

Companies at the Park are already innovating in space domain technology for defence, intelligence, and environmental and climate data collection, RADHard semiconductor testing, pioneering in-space computing technology, and Non-Terrestrial Networking, supported by a range of professional services for next-generation technologies.

For the wider Surrey Innovation District ecosystem and space sector cluster participants, the Institute will support small space companies to scale up and give more people the skills needed to work in this fast-moving sector, helping the UK stay competitive in a global industry that is growing at pace.

Tackling Skills Shortages

With more than half of UK space organisations reporting critical skills shortages – especially in software, data analysis, artificial intelligence and systems engineering – the Institute aims to train 10% of the UK’s future space workforce through postgraduate degrees, hands-on missions and professional courses.

Professor Tim Dunne, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said:

“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is a clear step towards delivering our Vision 2041 strategy – bringing together excellent research, industry partnerships and real-world impact.

“While we are setting our sights on national and global impact, our Institute will continue to play a key role in our local economy through our leadership in the Space South Central cluster, where we help to drive growth in one of the UK’s most dynamic regional economies. This means more skilled jobs, more opportunities for local businesses, and more reasons for young people to see a future for themselves in space.”

“An exciting new chapter”

The new Institute builds on the legacy of the Surrey Space Centre, where Professor Sir Martin Sweeting pioneered the design and manufacturing of small satellites.

Sir Martin would go on to found the highly influential Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), a university spin-out based at Surrey Research Park, that helped reshape how satellites are built across the global space sector and has since earned £1billion in satellite exports for the UK.

The Surrey Space Institute has been developed under the leadership of renowned astrophysicist and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Nichol, building on firm foundations that bring together Surrey’s space-related world-class teaching, industry links and research strengths from across a wide range of fields – not just engineering, but also telecoms, cybersecurity, biosciences, law and many more.

This interdisciplinary approach is at the heart of the new Institute’s mission – to rethink how space can support society, the economy and the planet. It will focus not only on building new technologies, but on developing the policies, systems and skills needed to run full space missions that respond to real-world needs.

Professor Adam Amara will be the inaugural Director of the Surrey Space Institute while continuing in his role as Chief Scientist to the UK Space Agency. Professor Amara shared his vision for the new Institute:

“Space is no longer a frontier activity; it is already a critical national and international infrastructure underpinning everything from climate security to high-speed connectivity.”

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting said:

“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is an exciting new chapter that captures that same entrepreneurial spirit as when we started the Space Centre. But it also reflects a much bigger ambition – to shape how the UK delivers space-based solutions to the challenges we face here on Earth.”

Aligned to the Government’s Industrial Strategy

Today’s launch of the Institute is timely and aligned with the Government’s industrial strategy, which recognises the space sector’s role in economic growth and UK defence capabilities.

With the UK’s £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent. Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:

“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute represents exactly the kind of bold, forward-thinking approach we need to maintain the UK’s position as a leader in space. Surrey’s remarkable 45-year track record in small satellites, combined with its vision to tackle real-world challenges from climate resilience to space sustainability, demonstrates how academic excellence can drive both economic growth and societal benefit.”